How to Create Artists' Rubber Stamps
Reproduce your artwork again and again by turning it into a rubber stamp. You can easily transfer art to a stamp by using a rubber pad or art eraser. Once your stamp is done, you can use the it for scrapbooking or mixed media art. No matter what its end use, making your own rubber stamp opens up many creative possibilities.
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Things You'll Need
- Black-and-white drawing
- Carbon paper
- Gum eraser or rubber block
- Pencil
- Utility knife or butter knife
- Toothpicks
- Ink pad
- Paper
Instructions
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1
Select a drawing for your stamp that has simple lines marked in black and white. This will be the easiest image for you to transfer to a stamper.
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2
Place carbon paper between your eraser or rubber block and drawing. Trace over the lines of your drawing firmly with a pencil to transfer the image to the rubber.
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3
Use a utility knife or butter knife, depending on the softness of the rubber, to cut around the outline of your drawing. Remove the lines of your image to make a carved outline. Also, carve any fine detail within the drawing. Use a toothpick if you need to make any round holes.
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4
Remove the eraser from the end of your pencil or use a wood carving tool to carve out the remaining material on your stamp. Start ¼ inch from the outside of your image to begin removal. You should have a raised image in the center of your rubber block when you are done.
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5
Press your rubber stamp into the ink pad and then print it on a piece of paper to test the image. Add any further detail necessary until the image looks the way you want it to.
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Tips & Warnings
Some rubber stamp artists are also enthusiasts of letterboxing and create personal stamps for this hobby. Similar to geocaching, clues lead people to boxes that contain a journal and stamp. People who find your box use your stamp to mark their personal journal, and leave their personal stamp mark in your journal. According to Letterboxing North America, more than 20,000 boxes are hidden across the U.S. and Canada.
Monitor children when they are carving their rubber stamps.
