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I have been stamping for over 8 years (and have never gotten anywhere until I found this site).
I am now a new demo and think I should know how to use one. Where else would I turn? I see so many neat cards made with wheels and give it another try. I can never get the ink even, it is always dark on the outside and ligt in the center. What am I doing wrong? I want to buy more but I get discouraged everytime I use mine....HELP!
__________________ Debbi~SU Demo~SCS#6378 ~My Gallery~My SUO Blog~ Mother to 6 and Grandmother to Katie- 7/31/09 & Kyle-12/6/12
One thing that I learned is that when you are pre inking the wheel make sure you always go in the same direction, for instance, either push the wheel forward or pul it back, don't do both. Also some people find they work better and can get a more even pressure if they stand up. Hope I could help!
Also ( something else I thought of that I do) I don't put my hand on the handle, but directly over the part that holds the wheel. I feel that gives me better control & pressure.
I LOVE wheels! It was my first SU purchase after the demo showed an instant gift bag, with matching tissue paper and note card. I generally ink the cartridge real well. I place ink on the cartridge the "short way" across the cartridge, in 1/4" spacing or less all the way around. I then test roll it several times on a large scratch paper--flatten SU packaging generally. That gets the ink smashed into the sponge, if I miss a spot, I can tell where after I do my test runs. I always stand when I roll, it allows me to apply even pressure that way.
I live in a very dry place and I find I have to re-ink the cartridges every single time I use them! This helps a lot. I always test them on scratch paper and re-ink as needed to get a good overall uniform color. I also stand up when I roll them, and I think you have to press pretty hard. Good luck! Don't give up, keep trying!
Try putting two fingers on the top of the wheel. Honestly, that seems like such a simple thing, but it made all the difference with me. (Also, if you're using the ink cartridges, they might have gotten uneven and need reinking on one end or the other. That could be the issue, too.)
I've also found that the new wheel guide has made a big difference in the out come of my projects. You can press harder on the wheel when you use the guide because you don't have to worry as much about going crooked. I also think storing the ink cartridges in a ziplock helps keep the ink from drying out. Hope this helps.
Something people haven't mentioned yet, that I've discovered, is make sure you store the handle on its back and not on its side if it has a cartridge in it, and if you store the cartridges separately, lay them flat. Gravity will pull the ink down to one side of the cartridge otherwise and give you uneven impressions.
__________________ Cindy
"Just when I think I have all the stamps I need... I get a new catalog in the mail!"
I find that rolling back towards me works better then rolling forward away from me. Also I place my index finger on the barrel part of the handle. This allows for more control. Once you start roling in one direction, keep going in that same direction whether its back or forward.
There are nicely illustrated directions in the little stampin' techniques booklet as well as on the SU web page. I find I wheel better if I am standing up and holding one finger on the handle to steady it, maintainning an even pressure.
Have fun. Wheels are great! And the jumbo wheels are really super.
I roll diagonally and towards myself fairly quickly with my hand farther down the hand, towards the wheel. I guess I should also make sure my cartridges are stored flat and not on their sides.
Kelli
I was using 3 different wheels today to make some background paper. I found that each one required a different amount of pressure to come out right (even though I used one ink cartridge for all)! Practicing on scrap paper helped me get it right for each one.
A problem I haven't solved: One of my wheels (the one that goes with Buds & Blossoms) often stamps a sort of stretched-out looking image--it's as if the wheel is getting stuck and the rubber is stretching as I go. Weird. Any ideas for remedies? I love this wheel otherwise!
Something people haven't mentioned yet, that I've discovered, is make sure you store the handle on its back and not on its side if it has a cartridge in it, and if you store the cartridges separately, lay them flat. Gravity will pull the ink down to one side of the cartridge otherwise and give you uneven impressions.
If the image is dark on the sides and light in the middle, I'm guessing you need to re-ink the cartridge. Try testing my theory by inking the wheel on an ink pad, then pulling the wheel, in the handle (without a cartridge), toward you to see how your image looks. I have to re-ink my cartridges almost every time I use them! The embossing cartridge is horrible!
I wonder if it is the wheel or the ink -- ? I had no problem when I used my Gifts Galore, Joy of Spring, and Happy Birthday when I used the Real Red and Mellow Moss ink cartridges.
BUT THEN I switched it to that Arncient Page archival Black and used my Ladybug wheel and it looked horrible -- the black left smudges and parts -- so not sure if it was the wheel or the ink.
I hate to admit I haven't tried the Ladybug with any other inks since, nor have I tried the Black with any other wheels as yet to see what the problem was, (or maybe operator error, LOL, but I don't think so!)
Oh, and I
-pull my wheel toward me (for the ones that work great)
-press down, standing only when I do them
-do them diagonal across the card front or whatever, seems to go best
When re-inking, use the tip of the reinker to roll the ink 'barrel' around and around as you drop ink on it. That should keep your fingers from getting inky. Not that there's anything wrond with inky fingers!
I always stand to wheel, and I put my pointer finger on the top of the wheel in the middle to keep my pressure steady.
Also, I usually reink everytime I wheel, but not all wheels need as much reinking.
So many pointers to try. :shock: I have had the same problem with all my ink & different wheels. So it must be me or the way I store them. I have not paid attention to that. I just toss them in a drawer. I will have to get some re-inkers (another have to have :oops: ) and give that a try too. Thank you all for all of your input. I really appreciate all your thoughtful help!
__________________ Debbi~SU Demo~SCS#6378 ~My Gallery~My SUO Blog~ Mother to 6 and Grandmother to Katie- 7/31/09 & Kyle-12/6/12
Practice pratice practice. That's what I did when I got my first wheel.
I always store my wheel cartridges laying flat and I have not had to reink them yet. I have always used my Fiskars citting board as a guide but recently invested in the wheel guide. This helps tremendously!!!
I always start wheeling on the opposite side of the page of the hand that I am using. For example, I am right handed so I start wheeling on the left hand side of the paper. This gives you an unobstructed view so you can see where you are wheeling.
Several of you have mentioned that your ink cartridges are dry--a tip to keep them from drying out is to wrap a rubber band around them. The lids don't fit very tightly, so the rubber band keeps the seal tight so air doesnt' get it. HTH!
__________________ ~*~Jennifer~*~
SU Demonstrator
Central Texas
Wife and Mommy
"all things are possible except skiing through a revolving door"
What am I doing wrong?
