6.27.2013

New Stamp Tip: This is going to make you CRINGE!! (but it works!)

     Have you ever bought a clear stamp, only to find that the image is grainy and not as you expected? I have seen so many ideas on how to fix this.....but not mine! It works everytime, I know, the thought of doing it this way is going to make you cringe, but trust me, no harm will come to your stamps!

     STEP ONE:  For example, I have a penny black set, allegro with a few unused stamps in it. I am using memento ink black, it is my must have basic black ink. I took the flower stamp from the set.
This is the grainy type image you get on that very first stamp with a clear stamp. If you are a avid stamper, you know what I am talking about. It bugs me everytime I buy a clear set of new stamps.
STEP TWO: Be prepared to cringe: Take a piece of sandpaper, or I have found a VERY fine nail file sponge to work as well. Rub it vigorously across the surface of your stamp until a light white film is visible. Yes, that is a light layer of your stamp coming off. But it removes the slippery layer on the surface of the stamp too. IT DOES NOT EFFECT the image.
                      
STEP THREE: Very important, clean off the surface of your stamp. Remove the "sand" you have removed from the stamp. Clean it well. Then stamp again. Take a look:
Here is another example: Again it is an unused stamp from Penny Black's Allegro set. I have not used it once. I stamped it with tuxedo black as is. The image is grainy and light.
 I sanded it with my yellow nail file, cleaned the stamp, and stamped it again with the same ink. See the difference? AMAZING! It still makes me cringe to know I am sanding my poor stamp, but I assure the image is not affected. This works on red rubber stamps as well.
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I wanted to share my two cents. I have no idea where I got the idea of sanding my new stamps, but it is better than some of the other crazy tips I have read on the internet to work with new stamps. Try this and leave a comment on what you think! It would make my day!  See you soon.

43 comments:

  1. Yes I have done this and it does work wonders,
    Only last week my sister had a problem with her stamp, and I told her to do this, and she was amazed, at how it helped.

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  2. you are right - it does make me cringe, especially as I have just spent twenty five pounds on my set of by the tide stamps...aarrgghh

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    1. Anonymous9/26/2023

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10/12/2023

      Also, I’ve tried Temu twice & both times it may be a very similar design but it was smaller or poor quality. I won’t do that ever again.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous7/03/2013

    Yes, I have done it with both clean and red rubber stamps. I just use my sanding block.

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  4. Cindy, I have been using this same technique for years now (I use a fine nail file), and I have not noticed any harm to my stamps. It does make you cringe!

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  5. Great tip, thank you!

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  6. Thank you !! This is e excellent 😃

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  7. Excellent tip, thank you!

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  8. Anonymous7/27/2013

    I've used Pink Pearl erasers with good results, also an artist's eraser that is blue and white, with the blue side being somewhat gritty. It's a handy shape for holding.

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  9. Oh my word that is incredible! TFS this great tip!
    Helen -- Firenze Cards

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  10. What a great idea!. I have just started stamping and card making and I didn't know there was a way to improve the quality. Just assumed you get what you pay for. I will try it on some of my "lesser quality" stamps and see if works as well. Thanks for the tip.

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  11. I'm so glad you shared this tip! I'd resigned myself to throwing out the grainy stamps, which is much more cringe worthy than taking a sanding block to them!

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  12. Thank you so much. Just stumbled on your site and it made my day. I was ready to toss out a couple of stamps and now I can use them. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  13. love this tip. thank you so much for sharing

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  14. It is now 2021 and I'm just getting into some of my slightly older Pinterests, and I found your tip. I have tried other techniques that gave me only limited success. You'rs is the one that surpasses the rest, and has made some stamps I like, but are of a lesser quality, a fresh new look. I am extremely happy. Thank You!

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  15. Great idea.I have a couple of not so good stamps that I will try this on. Cheerz

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  16. Great tip. I am definitely going to try this. It’s frustrating when new stamps don’t stamp well.

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  17. Sanding does sound good. I usually just run my fingers and thumb over a new stamp to take the shine off. If I still have faint images I will definitely try the sanding option.

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  18. A word of caution for you. Be sure to use a fine grit sandpaper with a block so you sand your stamps down evenly. Also try stamping before sanding more. If you sand down a little too far you can lose some of the detail in your stamps.

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  19. Great tip just tried it works now happy thanks

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  20. What an incredible solution! Who knew!!!

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  21. I am definitely trying this!

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    1. Yes works very well. I also use my finger nail file. The one for polishing your nail with the different grits works great. Also works so well on stamps with large solid color areas.

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  22. Anonymous11/13/2022

    I have used this trick on new stamps with good results. However, if you don't want to do that for whatever reason, just tap your new stamp with Versamark, stamp it a couple of times on scrap paper then use your color ink. Has the same effect and you won't cringe.

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  23. Anonymous11/14/2022

    This is great!! I am a newbie to cardmaking and stamping, so I always thought it was the quality of my “cheap” stamps or the ink or that I just didn’t know the right technique of stamping! Now I can’t wait to get “restarted”! Thanks a Million!👍🏻

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  24. Anonymous12/17/2022

    I've been having trouble with my stamping and thought I was just not good at it, but now I intend on trying this technique. I have high hopes! Thank you so much!

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  25. Anonymous2/10/2023

    Just seen this, brilliant tip, I will be trying it on my stamps

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  26. Anonymous3/31/2023

    I just find wiping them with a little soap and water on a cloth was all that was needed.

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  27. Anonymous5/01/2023

    Hi. I loved your tip, even now several years past your posting date. I love reading all the comments. I have one more tip that works on new stamps. Use a white plastic eraser and gently rub it over your stamp. It won’t worry you about ruining the stamp.

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  28. Anonymous6/28/2023

    Hi, Debi here, years ago on TV there was a women who had a stamp company called "Hot Potatoes" , she designed many of her own stamps. She always said that you should take a bit of a stiff brush and go over the surface of the stamp before your first stamping , this prepared the stamp for stamping. The brush was dry, then wipe with a damp cloth and stamp.

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  29. Anonymous8/28/2023

    Just use an eraser and go over it then wash

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  30. Catherine9/03/2023

    That’s a great idea never thought of that. I do have a sand block in my craft room, I’m definitely going to give it a good. Thank you 😊

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  31. Anonymous9/17/2023

    Thanks for this tip I am using it and extremely thrilled I have been stamping for 10 years and was very frustrated with a lot of the stamps. So now I can dig out the ones I was unhappy with and reuse them thank you thank you

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  32. Anonymous9/26/2023

    Is the site TEMU safe?????

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    1. Anonymous10/02/2023

      I buy a lot of craft products from them and have hand no problems.

      Delete
  33. Anonymous9/28/2023

    Thank you very much! I’m going to give it a try.

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  34. Anonymous10/05/2023

    Going to try it!

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  35. Anonymous10/22/2023

    I have been using this trick as well!! It works great.

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  36. Anonymous12/30/2023

    OMG why would you do such a thing!! Clean them with an eraser and if that’s not enough, condition it with an embossing ink pad.

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  37. Great tip, thanks for sharing. Do you have any suggestions on clear stamp cleaning. After I have used them awhile they will no longer stick to their plastic container?

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  38. I've been using sandpaper for a few years now. I have one stamp that has very small details and this work fabulously on it without any damage to the image at all

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Place comment here, I look forward to hearing from you!