How to Start a Rubber Stamp Collection Without Breaking the Bank

It doesn't take too long to see that your stamping obsession can become quite expensive. There are so many beautiful stamps, luscious inks, must-have tools, and gorgeous papers. How do you know which stamps to buy first?

The first two things to consider are your budget and space constraints. Think about this carefully, so you don't find yourself struggling later on. Where will you store your stamps? Make sure you find an accessible location where you can easily reach each stamp. If you can't see your stamps, you probably won't remember that you have them. If you're constantly moving them out of the way, they become a nuisance. Many stampers use shallow drawers where all of the stamps can be seen-side by side. Then, set a budget and stick to it.

Next, spend some time browsing stamp catalogs or your favorite stamp store. Think about which images appeal to you most. Do you like cute images of bunnies and puppies? Do you prefer natural items such as flowers, trees, and rivers? Perhaps you're a fan of Asian artwork and lettering. Make note of the stamps you feel an immediate impulse to buy. Jot down companies whose artwork most appeals to you.

The last big step is to think about what you want to create with your stamps. If you plan on making birthday cards for friends, you may want some letter stamps or stamps with messages. If you want to decorate gift items, you'll want more generic images. It can be easy to over-buy in a particular area and end up with too many background stamps, multiple lettering sets that you never touch, or dozens of stamps that are too small or too large for any of your projects.

Once you've enjoyed browsing through the stamping world, you're ready to start making some decisions. If you have a specific project in mind, that's an easy way to get started, but if every stamp makes you think of something creative and new, you'll have to choose wisely. My approach to stamp shopping is the same as choosing clothes for a new seasonal wardrobe. Try these tips and see if they work for you:

1. Make sure your stamps can be mixed and matched. If you have a kitten stamp and one with a Chinese fan, you'll have a much more difficult time than if you buy around just a few themes.

2. Avoid stamps that are extremely specific, unless you need them for a particular project. Birthday cakes, Santa Claus, or a message that says, "Write back soon" may seem appealing at the moment, but if you're only going to use them once a year, they may not be the best buy.

3. In contrast, choose stamps that are flexible. A balloon can send a happy birthday message (or can become an egg, a head, an eye, etc.), a plain pine tree can be embellished for the holidays, and a simple lettering set can be assembled to create any message you would like.

4. Choose a variety of stamps. While each stamp doesn't need to have a specific role, you want to be sure that you have stamps that are good for backgrounds (a large or repeatable image), some lettering if you'll use it, small stamps (can be used as a border, or an overlay on a bigger image), etc.

Make sure you stay within your budget, let your creativity flow, and have a lot of fun. Once you have a base set of stamps, you can add on as your budget and space constraints allow. Now that you have the perfect basic collection of rubber stamps, what are you waiting for? Go out and create something!