How to Store Rubber Stamps

Rubber stamps are the current darling of the crafting world. No matter if you are a into scrapbooking, card making or altered art they are a mainstay of the well stocked craft room.

Keeping rubber stamps neat and ready for use is one the biggest challenges to most crafters. An easy and inexpensive way to store your stamps is by using plastic box frames as trays. Read on to see how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• acrylic picture frames, box style
• rubber stamps that need to be organized
• paper big enough to line the bottom of the box frame

1. 
    
   Acrylic picture frames

   While any shoe box will do to throw your rubber stamps in when you are ready for some neat and tidy storage nothing can beat using box style acrylic picture frames. These frames can be found at your local arts and crafts store as well as some super stores and dollar stores. Pick a consistent size so that you will be able to easily stack them for even more storing flexibility. You might even have a few of these hanging around the house, they were very popular in the 80'S.

2. After purchasing your acrylic picture frames remove the cardboard box that serves as the backing. The part you are interested in is the empty plastic part that will act as you stamp tray. As a note these trays are also perfect for sorting many other types of scrapbooking supplies such small packages of brads and buttons.

3. Measure the area that will be the bottom of your new rubber stamp tray. Cut a piece of paper to this dimension and secure it in the tray with double stick tape or a couple of glue dots. This paper will serve as your liner and if you chose to do so as a stamp-map to where to replace your stamps when you are done with them.

4. 
    
   Make your own rubber stamps

   With the paper in place lay out your stamps until they are a good fit in each tray. As much as possible I like to gather my stamps by theme or collection. I also separate my custom stamps, my signature stamps and other personalized stamps into their own trays. I also separate those stamps that I use my with embosser since they are a particular style that does not mix with the regular rubber stamps. If you happen to make your own rubber stamps you can also create a tray just for those. When you begin to make rubber stamps you can end up with a lot of stamps very quickly so be ready with extra acrylic picture frames to make more trays!

5. 
    
   stamp Map

   When you are sure as to how your stamps will fit in the tray take an extra few moments to then stamp that position onto the tray liner. This will give you an instant visual clue as to what should go in that spot and to what is missing or has been borrowed. Use your favorite color of rubber stamp ink for the whole tray or mix it up for a fun rainbow effect.

6. Replace your rubber stamps in the tray and then stack the trays to store easily on a shelf or in a drawer.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch for sales at your local craft store, box style acrylic picture frames often go on sale.
• This sort of organization might lead to a clean crafting room!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 2/7/2009 I try to stamp often. I love it (just don't hav a lot of time). Thanks for the great tips! 5*

[vallain]

on 2/7/2009 Are the plastic drawers deep enough for the stamps to stand up or do they lay on their sides? Great idea.

[blondehound]

on 2/7/2009 interesting, 5

[gottalovelattes]

on 2/7/2009 Great idea for organization...Love rubber stamping and they are costly so this is great for keeping them safe.

[Susanh]

on 2/7/2009 Fantastic idea for storing and caring for rubber stamps. They're definitely an investment, so it's worth the time it takes to keep them in good condition.