Tips for How to Keep Your Rubber Stamping Images Crisp & Clear

Without a doubt rubber stamping can be a fun and relaxing hobby. If you are like a lot of people, though, you may run into trouble when it comes to keeping your stamped images crisp and clear. There are a lot of reasons why stamps can come out blurry, smudged, uneven or sometimes just plain dirty looking.

Here are some tips for how to keep your rubber stamping images crisp and clear with beautiful clean lines. With a little practice before you know it you will be turning out stamped images that look like they were done by a pro!

1. Check Out Your Paper

The texture of your paper plays a big role in how clear your stamped images are. It can be nearly impossible to get a crisp, clear stamp on highly textured paper. Take some time to experiment with different types of paper such as cardstock, paper bags, or textured paper to see the different results you get on different types of paper. If you require a crisp image choose a paper that has a smooth surface.

2. Watch Your Approach

Make sure that you are bringing the stamp straight down on to the paper rather than angled to one side or the other. Even a slight tilt can cause the edges of the stamp to hit the paper and can lead to blurry edges or ink where you don't want it. Practice coming straight down onto the paper until it feels natural.

3. Don't Over-Ink

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is putting too much ink on their stamp. Most stamps just require a few light touches to an ink pad to get an even layer of ink over the raised surface. If you put on too much ink or press down too hard on the pad you can get ink onto the background of the ink pad which can mess up your final stamp. Also, if your stamp is overly laden with ink it can run or blur on certain kinds of paper. Remember that in most cases when it comes to ink less is more.

4. Ease Up a Bit

You don't have to use all your muscle to get a good image. If push down too hard on the stamp you may find that your stamped images are coming out smudgy or with ink in places it's not supposed to be. Use a gentle, but firm touch when stamping and avoid pushing too hard.

These simple tips should help you clear up your stamped images and start getting the crisp, clean lines that you have been wanting. Remember that practice makes perfect so stock up on scrap paper and practice away until you have the technique down flawlessly. And most importantly, have fun!