Rubber Stamp Making Supplies
Making your own rubber stamps is a fun and creative way to personalize any project. From scrapbooks to greeting cards, rubber stamps can be a great tool for decorating a variety of items. Selecting the proper materials is essential to creating the right product. There are a variety of supply options for making rubber stamps, and this article will walk you through selecting the best supplies for your needs.
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Types
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There are many types of rubber stamps that you can create, from very simple to increasingly intricate designs. Depending on the scope of your project, you may be content with a stamp crafted quickly from a large rubber band, or you may need something very detailed and sturdy that will last through several inkings. You will need to determine two main points before you can select your specific supplies. First, determine how sturdy the stamp needs to be. Will you be using it once or twice for a single project, or do you want it to last through years of stamping? Next, determine how detailed the image needs to be. Are you content with one simple shape or do you need an image with many shapes and lines? With this information, you can select the best stamping supplies for your project.
Identification
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If you want a very quick and simple rubber stamp, your supplies may be as simple as a very thick rubber band, a craft knife, tracing paper, and a pencil. For a sturdier stamp, you may want to use a rubber eraser instead of a rubber band. Select an eraser that is fairly sturdy. For a more professional rubber stamp, you can purchase thin sheets of rubber from a craft store that are manufactured for this purpose. Nearly any medium will work, so select one that works with your budget and will produce the type of finished product you have in mind.
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Function
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To properly carve the shape of your stamp, you will need some type of sharp tool. The easiest choice of supplies for this is an X-Acto knife or other type of sharp craft knife. For more precision, you may want to invest in a carving tool with a very small, sharp blade. If you are simply using the rubber band method and a basic geometric shape, you may be able to forgo the carving tool altogether and instead opt for a good pair of scissors.
Features
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The key to producing the exact image that you want for your stamp is to trace it. Draw your stamp on tracing paper with a pencil. Color in your image, and be sure to use plenty of shading. Next, you will want to transfer the image to your rubber medium. You can do this any number of ways. You may trace lightly over the opposite side of the paper, rub it with the pencil eraser, or press the tracing paper onto the rubber with a spoon. Whatever your method, the goal is to transfer your image in detail onto the rubber. Next, you may want to redraw some details directly on the rubber with a pen or pencil.
Considerations
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The last step in producing a rubber stamp is to cut out the shape you have drawn. Remember to carve out areas that you do not want to be inked. The image that you want inked should be the only part of the rubber that stands out. Keep in mind that the stamped image will be a mirror of what you see as you carve it. This is especially important to consider when stamping anything with words or letters. Lastly, you can mount your carved rubber if you wish. For this, your supplies should include a small block of cardboard or wood. For a professional look, copy the image onto the back of your mounting material.
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