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I don't know if it's just me or what. I have two stampin up classic pads--chocolate chip and basic black. Neither of them inks up a stamp well. I'm talking about inking up a stamp such as baroque motifs, or something solid, not just a simple line image or sentiment stamp. I got an ink refill to see if that would help it, and even though it's really juicy now, it still doesn't ink up my stamps very well. In otherwords, I don't get a crisp full image when I stamp. There's plenty of ink on the surface, just not over the ENTIRE surface. So when I stamp, I have this pattern on the paper that looks like the fine threads the stamp pad itself are made from. It looks AWFUL!! I simply cannot get a solid image of ink no matter how many or few times I tap/press the stamp to the pad. Even if the stamp LOOKS like its completely covered with ink, it still stamps of poorly. Is is just stampin' up's pads, or is pigment ink just better for solid image stamps? Any helpful advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated, as I'm ready to throw away my SU pads!
It might be the stamp and not the ink. You can use your jeans or a sanding block to lightly rub the stamps. I did that on a couple of my solid stamps and they are inking up much better now.
I know some people hate it, but in my experience you get better images...so what if it takes 2 extra seconds to dry? Doesn't bother me.
Yes, I bought the craft spots for the purpose of embossing, but now I end of using them for inking up solid image stamps as well. I just get a better image using craft ink. I'm even considering buying some full size pads.
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
My vote is also with the light sanding first to remove the thin film that is on the rubber from the molding process. I don't remember the details on why it is there sometimes, but giving your stamps (solid ones are more obvious to see but it can help your line images too) a light sanding or rubbing with an eraser will get that off and you will be able to stamp a nice crisp image.
Thanks for the suggestions ladies. I too love the craft ink, but I was even having issues with IT!! It must be that I need to rough up the stamp surface with an eraser first, then if that doesn't do the trick, I'll try a fine sanding block. I thought it was just clear stamps that had a film on them. You learn something new every day. Knew I could count on all of you for help. Thanks again!
In addition to conditioning the stamp you also want to make sure you're using good card stock to stamp on. If the card stock soaks up a lot of ink the image will look blurry no matter what.
I also found that with solid images it helps to make the first impression on a piece of scratch paper like typing paper or grid paper. I don't know why, but it seems to help me get better images from my solid stamps.
Amber, think of it like this: when you bake muffins, you spray the muffin pan with Pam or some other releasing agent. The same applies to rubber <G> It doesn't affect line images so much, but the solid stamps it does.
Solid stamps just need to be "seasoned," by cleaning off any residual release agent. Starting off with rubbing the stamp on denim on up to gentle sanding with a sanding block, there are lots of methods. Stampin' Up has always recommended what Diane mentioned, that is, ink up and stamp off several times. Don't clean in between stamping. Then when you do clean the stamp, that should take care of it!
I don't feel comfortable sanding my rubber. I ink up the image the best I can, then press it to my grid paper. Twist the stamp back and forth as if cleaning off the ink. For a really large stamp I may have to do this twice. Then ink, stamp and clean as usually.
I ink my stamps up with versamark then stamp it off and clean it with my scrub when I first get them. Then I usually ink it up with whatever ink I am using and then stamp it off and then when I ink it up the second time the stamp seems to hold the ink better. Does that make sense?
I use sellotape on all of my stamps before I use them.
Just wrap the tape sticky side out around your hand and pat over the stamp, you see a white powdery residue on the tape, keep going until it's all off. That takes off the release agent on the rubber.
The stamp a few times and use the stampin' scrub works a treat!
__________________ Emerald Tigger Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in the UK My NEW Stampin' Up! Blog
I love my SU pads but for large images I would brayer it on. Most of the smaller solid images I use one of these three: Noir black by Palette Hybrid, StazOn Jet Black or Adirondack Pitch black. The pads are soild (no indent in the middle). I get better coverage that way. Also I find make sure you are stamping on a solid surface(like a wood or metal table). Some of the folding tables have slight give to them. Hope that helps.
I don't sand my stamps but I do use an eraser on them. It helps remove the junk. Also, when I stamp a solid image I wait a couple of seconds before I stamp if the pad was the cloth type. The couple of seconds lets the ink kind of blend over the imprint from the stamp pad. Also, on solids I don't stamp and immediately pull the stamp back, I let it set for a second or two. It seems that giving the paper a little more time to absorb the ink gets a more complete transfer.
But with that said, I have some stamps that just don't fill in the full image and I color those with a marker and then mist it with water. I use a fine mist; it has to be fine, no big water drops. Hold your stamp at arms length and mist lightly. Its just enough to get the ink moving.
Wow, I came back this morning to find lots of good suggestions. Thanks to all of you for your helpful tips and tricks! I'm sure they will help me, as well as others on this forum! THANK YOU!!!
I'm new at this, but I put two pieces of that foam stuff down and then put my cardstock on it to stamp. It seems to give just the right amount to make a clear, sharp image.
In addition to conditioning the stamp you also want to make sure you're using good card stock to stamp on. If the card stock soaks up a lot of ink the image will look blurry no matter what.
The type of cardstock you are using can make a WORLD of difference when it comes to solid stamps...
Cheaper white or vanilla cardstock will make your solid images look splotchy because the ink doesn't have a uniform surface to settle into - so some of the ink will settle more in one area than another...there is a reason some CS is more expensive than others...
__________________ Jenni -Happy SU Demo - MY GALLERY & MY CHAOTIC LIFE One kid makes you a Parent - Two makes you a Referee
FYI on misting - sometime I get drops if I hold the stamp to close to the mister and I have to start over (rats!). Also, it has to be a fine mist spray - not any spray bottle will work. You can also try misting and then pass the stamp through the mist (like putting on perfume).
I don't sand my stamps but I do use an eraser on them. It helps remove the junk. Also, when I stamp a solid image I wait a couple of seconds before I stamp if the pad was the cloth type. The couple of seconds lets the ink kind of blend over the imprint from the stamp pad. Also, on solids I don't stamp and immediately pull the stamp back, I let it set for a second or two. It seems that giving the paper a little more time to absorb the ink gets a more complete transfer.
But with that said, I have some stamps that just don't fill in the full image and I color those with a marker and then mist it with water. I use a fine mist; it has to be fine, no big water drops. Hold your stamp at arms length and mist lightly. Its just enough to get the ink moving.
I also use the eraser trick on solid image stamps - it works great!
I hate my SU Classic Black ink. It looks so much like purple when I use it. So now I just been using Black stazon for all my images that are stamped.
I also have a problem closing the lids to the ink pads, some of mine tend to fly away from me leaving me inked all over my hands. Not happy at all.
Bonnie
__________________ Bonnie~Proud Fan Club Member~Marine Wife My Gallery~One of Kota's Kids My Blog~Bonnie's Creative Corner Every Job is a Self-Portrait of the Person Who Did It. Autograph Your Work With Excellence.~Author Unknown
I have just started with my SU classic pads, and I hate them! I, too, cannot get a well-inked solid image. I tried all of the above tips, different papers, etc. Then I used an Adirondack pad and a Staz-On pad - viola! Much better. Also had great luck just coloring the stamp with a Marvy Marker.
I just sold ALL of my SU classic pads and went for the SPOTS!!!!!
I noticed that my classic pads bowed in the middle and I could NOT get good stamping images on my larger stamps, and little ones I would pounce around the ink pad.
I had tried 2 of the PTI ink spots and found that the smaller 1 inch size was easier to pounce on my larger stamps and I got GREAT coverage!
I just sold ALL of my SU classic pads and went for the SPOTS!!!!!
I noticed that my classic pads bowed in the middle and I could NOT get good stamping images on my larger stamps, and little ones I would pounce around the ink pad.
I had tried 2 of the PTI ink spots and found that the smaller 1 inch size was easier to pounce on my larger stamps and I got GREAT coverage!
Try a spot and see if you find a difference!
I have the same problem with my SU classic pads too! I'm slowly but surely moving onto other brands.
I just sold ALL of my SU classic pads and went for the SPOTS!!!!!
I noticed that my classic pads bowed in the middle and I could NOT get good stamping images on my larger stamps, and little ones I would pounce around the ink pad.
I had tried 2 of the PTI ink spots and found that the smaller 1 inch size was easier to pounce on my larger stamps and I got GREAT coverage!
Try a spot and see if you find a difference!
...And that's why I still have the complete set of OLD syle pads. I like the idea of the new design, but hate the way the pad itself is uneven. Not to mention the hassle of opening/closing them! In fact, I've even purchased old pads off of other people, rinsed them, and re-inked with new colors (and just put a label on the cover)
