How to Cut Unmounted Rubber Stamps

Although unmounted rubber stamps cost less in the long run compared to individual wood-mounted stamps, you will have to put in a bit of effort before you can use them. While some clear rubber stamps come pre-cut, red rubber stamps are often sold in large sheets that feature several designs in a theme or letters in a stylish font. You’ll need to trim these rubber stamps carefully before temporarily or permanently attaching them to an acrylic block to stamp on handmade cards or craft projects. Use these steps to cut unmounted rubber stamps to generate sharp images.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide whether you’d rather cut unmounted rubber stamps using a pair of scissors or a craft knife. If you’re experienced using a craft knife, it may be easier to trim around the curves of rubber stamp designs, but you will need to use it in conjunction with a self-healing mat to protect the surface you’re working on.

2. Ensure the blade of the craft knife or pair of scissors is sharp and completely clean so you won’t transfer any ink or residue to your new unmounted rubber stamps. Sharp blades will allow you to make crisp cuts without nicking the stamp design or creating a jagged edge that can affect your stamped image.

3. Cut around the stamped design, leaving a border around the image that’s about an eighth of an inch. If possible, try trimming at a forty-five degree angle so the edge “rises” toward the design. This will keep you from inking the edge of the stamp when you coat the image with stamping ink.

4. Avoid cutting out the center of unmounted rubber stamps if the designs are small—it’s just added work and you’ll risk cutting into the design if you’re not skilled with a craft knife.

5. Determine if you want to permanently mount the trimmed rubber stamps to make your own stamps that are ready to use or simply leave them loose to attach temporarily to an acrylic block when you need to use the rubber stamps. To permanently mount the stamps, attach a rubber cushion layer to the acrylic and then add the rubber stamp to it with double-sided tape or strong liquid adhesive. To attach them temporarily, just add double-sided tape to the acrylic block and stick the trimmed rubber stamps to the block when you’re ready to stamp on a craft project.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 7/16/2009 I love rubber stamping! Thanks for the helpful tips on cutting unmounted rubber stamps. 5*

[godfather25]

on 7/12/2009 Great tips on cutting unmounted rubber stamps.