When crafting as well as loving the co-ordination of the Stampin’ Up! inks, paper and embellishments. I also love the quality of the stamps and the images that they produce. Officially Stampin’ Up! have two different types of stamp types, Photopolymer and ‘Cling’. I consider that there is a third type which I suppose is a subset of cling which is the background stamps. This is as background stamps have there own individual quirks.
Stampin’ Up! have provided the reasons for choosing each different types of stamp. There is an explanation of the types below and the video below talks through the reasons.
Sweet Ice Cream Photopolymer Stamps
The first type of Stampin’ Up! stamps are the photopolymer stamps. Because the stamps are clear all the way through, they make it super easy to stamp exactly where you need to . They make it super easy to line up the stamps required for double and triple step stamping. They also stick to the clear blocks, but do not have the cushioning layer of the cling stamps. This means that they give a better image if stamped on foam (either the piercing mat or Stampartus will help the image stamp well)
Stamp sets are made in photopolymer if they contain a large number of stamps (like Snowflake Wishes), if the stamps are not super detailed and if the stamps are made to layer on top of each other. Photopolymer stamps stamp beautifully whether using blocks or the Stamparatus, I tend to alternate. If I am making one card of a type I use blocks, the Stamparatus is perfect for multiples.
The ice cream lolly on the card above was created with a number of Photopolymer stamps from the Sweet Ice Cream set which combine to make a stunning image.
The next type of stamps are the ‘cling’ stamps. These stamps are red rubber, with a foam cushion backing. The foam cushion helps to get a good impression when stamping. These were previously known as ‘clear’ stamps as they use the clear acrylic blocks rather than the old wooden style blocks which the stamps were stuck to. ‘Cling’ stamps are super duper sticky and the new technology for the stickers is amazing. The only downside being once you have added the sticker it does not come off. I watched an demo called Julie Davidson recently who showed a tip which was to add the sticker to a block and then add to the back of the stamp, near perfect placement every time. I previously tended to avoid the ‘cling’ stamps as they didn’t stick well, but know the problem has been resolved. I recently realised that I have more ‘cling’ stamps than Photopolymer.
Stamps are created in red rubber when they require more detailing or better stamp imaging. The images above and below were created using the Dragonfly Garden, I also used block stamping (watch out for a future video on ways to stamp with blocks.)
Cling stamps will stamp well with the Stamparatus and also blocks, again it depends on how many cards I am making as to which I use.
The last type are Background stamps, officially there are just two, but I think the Background stamps are slightly different to the other ‘cling’ stamp sets. Background stamps are larger and I find it easier to use a Stamparatus to stamp with them.
To use a block I would suggest that you leave the block on the table with the stamp on and add the paper to the inked up stamp rather than lifting the stamp and block on to the paper. using copy paper to rub the stamp to ensure that all the colour is transferred,
Using a Stamparatus makes it so much easier to create a good image with the background stamp, this is the main item I use to stamp these even if I am only making one stamp. I don’t waste as much paper with the Stamparatus.
The cling stamps have grown on me. What is your favourite type of stamp?
