How to Stamp Concrete Designs

Use concrete stamps or anything else that creates an interesting pattern to stamp concrete designs.

Stamping designs in concrete gives you all sorts of creative options. Create a custom patio floor, sidewalk, driveway, walkway or garden path by learning how to stamp concrete designs. It may take a little trial and error, but the results are well worth it. You can have a custom design element by stamping concrete without spending a lot of money.

Things You'll Need

• Concrete stamp
• Plastic knife or inexpensive clay sculpting tools

Instructions

1. Allow the concrete to partially set. While you can stamp designs into freshly poured concrete, they will come out much sharper and cleaner if you let it partially set. The amount of time you should wait depends on the type and mix of the concrete. Watch for the concrete to become a little bit firm, not quite as firm as clay, but beyond the liquid stage. You can carefully test the firmness of the concrete by pushing into it gently with your finger in a place that you plan to stamp over. When your finger leaves a nice impression you are ready to start stamping.

2. Line up the stamp. You really only get one chance to get it right, so line up your stamp and double check it before ever letting it touch the concrete. Hold the stamp straight over the concrete and look to make sure when you put it down it will be in the exact place you want it.

3. Press the stamp into the concrete. Using firm, even pressure, press the stamp into the concrete. You want it deep enough to make a good impression, but not so deep that you push concrete out over the top, marring your design. Make sure you are using even pressure on every part of the stamp.

4. Remove the stamp. Carefully pull the stamp straight up and away from the concrete. Don't tilt it, jiggle it or make any other movements or you'll lose the crispness of your design. Set the stamp away from the concrete.

5. Make any necessary touch-ups. Inspect the concrete for any flaws in the stamp you just made. If there are small flaws, ignore them, they will become virtually invisible over time. If you have a large flaw or little blobs of cement where you don't want it, however, use the back side of a plastic knife or inexpensive sculpting tools to correct it. Work slowly and carefully, remembering that it won't be perfect, but you aren't going to be staring this closely at it ever again either. It's better to leave a little lump than to scrape away too much concrete and leave a gouge.

Tips & Warnings

• You aren't limited to designs of commercially made concrete stamps. Just about anything that will leave an interesting pattern or impression can be used to stamp concrete.

• Don't take on too much concrete at a time. Pour in small sections so you have plenty of time to stamp before moving on to the next section.