Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I have several solid stamps - the one I am trying to use now is "Love Without End" flower. I can't seem to get a good solid image - it always looks a little grainy. How do I get a good impression? I have tried cleaning it and using an eraser on it - looks better - but still is not solid.
I have also used a paper sack ( the kind you get from the grocery store)
It doesnt take as much off the stamp as sanding with the block does. You just rub it across the bag, try stamping, repeat if you need to.
I use the sanding blocksfound in the back of the catalog on mine- usually the first time I use the stamp. Two other things that may contribute are the type of paper you are using and your ink pad. SU's Ultrasmooth CS gives a much better stamped impression than any other paper I have stamped on. The other night I was having the same problem and I tried stamping on US versus another brand and the other brand still looked spotty. Sometimes your ink pad may need to be re-inked as well!! Hope this helps you!
Laura Littlefield
__________________ Want a little? Place an order!
Want a lot? Hostess a workshop!
Want it all? Be a demonstrator!
It sounds like your ink pad may need to be re-inked! I also press my stamp down on my paper and VERY SLIGHTLY twist it, not even a millimeter, and I find the image comes out more solid. I usually do that with Love without End and Buds and Blossoms. Sounds weird... but it works for me!
__________________ "Isn't it wonderful that no one need wait a moment to start to improve the world." - Anne Frank
The best way to get a really good image is to use a pigment ink pad (SU craft pad or colorbox chalk pad) instead of a dye ink pad. The pigment ink holds on to the stamp better and doesn't bead up. It's the only ink I use on these types of stamps! Try it! You'll love the way it looks!
Yikes! Be very careful using a sanding block or any grainy abrasive on your stamps -- I did this on a stamp several years ago and it gave it a scratched surface - yuck!!!
I saw a hint somewhere that worked beautifully. Gently "scrub" the surface of your rubber with a soft, white eraser. It breaks through the slick surface that was left in the molding process without adding a new texture to rubber.
Someone also mentioned that it might be your stamp pad might be contributing to the problem. I have noticed, much to my displeasure, that the new style classic pads are "cupped" -- the edges are higher and they dip to the middle. On large stamps I have to ink the middle of the stamp with the edge of the pad -- not an easy task, but the only way to get a nice coat of ink all over.
i read on here to rub it on your jeans.. and whoever said that.. THANK YOU! i tried it with an old retired stamp i rarely used cause of the bad coverage it got.. and works beautifully. i went through and did all my bold stamps afterward, and havent had a problem.
also, i dont tap tap tap.
i press into the pad, and turn to get good coverage, then press firmly to remove swirls, then stamp! this also helps in my coverage!
I also press on the inkpad with the stamp and twist it. Much better result. Also, the Colorbox Chalk inks give AWESOME coverage with these solid stamps!!
Good Image from "Solid" stamps
