How to Put Ink on a Stamp

Use rubber stamps for business or artistic purposes.

Rubber stamps come in a variety of letters, numbers and words in different fonts, as well as carved designs featuring realistic animals, cartoon characters and patterns. Most craft and stationery stores include a selection of generic rubber stamps. Special order or carve your own stamps. Inked rubber stamps add an artistic touch to cards, envelopes and other stationery.

Things You'll Need

• Wood block
• Glue
• Brush
• Ink pad
• Spray bottle
• Brush pens
• Scrap paper

Instructions

1. Mount the stamp on a small, clean, smooth wood block if it isn't already mounted. Brush an even coat of glue over the back of the stamp and press firmly onto a wood block. The wood will make it easier to grip and use the stamp. Draw an image of the rubber stamp on the back of the wood to distinguish it from other stamps.

2. Open an ink pad in your chosen color and observe the spongy surface. If it appears dried out, spray it with a mist of water before using.

3. Press your stamp gently and evenly onto the ink pad so it picks up an equal amount of ink all over the image. If your stamp is too big for the ink pad, use a brush pen to coat the upraised parts of the stamp with an even coat of ink. Brush pens are also useful for inking different parts of the stamp in different colors.

4. Press the inked stamp gently and evenly onto a piece of scrap paper. If the ink appears dried out, try a fresh ink pad or pen and repeat. Once satisfied with the image on the scrap paper, use the same techniques to stamp on stationery, cards and other paper items.

References

• Greeting Card Resource: How to Use Rubber Stamps