What are photopolymer stamps ? Are they the aforementioned every bit polymer stamps ? How most clear stamps and rubber stamps ? If you are a beginner in card making, figuring out which stamp is the right one for y'all could get surprisingly overwhelming. Crafting companies have been releasing a plethora of stamps over the past years. There are so many designs, patterns, and styles to choose from! Among the different types of stamps, though, the one that stands out the nigh (and for a good reason) are photopolymer clear stamps . If you want to find out more than about these stamps, how to use them in carte du jour making and paper crafting, likewise every bit tips on how to store, status, and clean them, go on on reading!

Altenew photopolymer stamps

Shop for Clear Stamps at Altenew

Besides known as articulate acrylic stamps, photopolymer stamps or polymer stamps are fabricated up of photopolymer material. These stamps are higher in quality as compared to acrylic stamps. If you lot have been using rubber stamps, cling stamps, and acrylic stamps for a while, and accept merely started using a photopolymer postage set , y'all would agree that it is life-changing. Substantially, this stamp is used to transfer a design or an image onto a surface, using inks (dye inks, pigment inks, etc.). Because of this stamp's sticky nature, the ink sticks very well to the postage'southward design, therefore resulting in a well-baked stamped image.

If you lot are up for some light reading and want to know more virtually the difference between photopolymer articulate stamps , acrylic stamps, rubber stamps, cling stamps, and other types of stamps for paper crafting, see more ideas about stamping here .

Hither are a few things that yous must know about these articulate stamps :

  • Information technology comes in a plastic, resealable sheet.
  • It is usually sandwiched betwixt 2 articulate acetate sheets.
  • Near companies have the postage stamp image/design printed on one of the acetate sheets and so that you know where to put the stamp dorsum.
  • Information technology is usually heavier than a normal acrylic postage stamp.
  • Information technology is clear, transparent, and shiny.
  • Information technology is stretchy and thicker than acrylic stamps.
  • It is higher in quality and more durable than acrylic stamps.
  • It has a strong chemical smell due to the photopolymer resin used in manufacturing.
  • It is not flimsy or frail like acrylic stamps.
  • It is usually fabricated in the US.
  • Information technology must exist used with an acrylic cake, a stamping cake, or a stamping platform.
  • Storage tip! You tin can proceed them in their original plastic sheet container or organize them by storing them in a plastic sheet binder or albums. Y'all can also keep them in storage pouches or Ziploc bags.
  • Information technology must exist stored Abroad from direct sunlight, and in a absurd, dry out place.

Photopolymer stamp set from Altenew

Retro Plantines Postage stamp Set from Altenew

How Do You Use Photopolymer Stamps?

If y'all aren't new to stamping, yous already know the whole process and the basics. Similar to acrylic stamps, using photopolymer clear stamps is pretty much straightforward. They are super easy to utilize that even your kids can figure them out.

Here are 6 easy steps on how to use photopolymer stamps :

  1. Condition the stamp with a postage stamp workout eraser or a watermark/embossing ink, especially if they are new. (Read more on stamp conditioning below!)
  2. Peel back the postage's acetate backing canvass.
  3. Pare the stamp from the articulate acetate liner.
  4. Place it onto a clear acrylic stamping block. Since it volition apace cling to it, there is no need to use any kind of additional adhesive or a cushion.
  5. Press it firmly onto the acrylic stamping cake to ensure that it is well-adhered.
  6. Next, but ink information technology up with your called ink and postage stamp away!

Slice of cake, right? Once you become the hang of it, you can stamp with your photopolymer stamp set fifty-fifty with your eyes closed.

The video beneath will evidence you a quick and easy tutorial on how to use DIY photopolymer stamps in card making.

What Is Postage stamp Conditioning and How Do You lot Condition Articulate Stamps?

Do you lot want to avoid blotchy stamped images? Are yous tired of your stamp sticking also much to your cardstock or paper? Do yous want to get clean and crisp stamped images every single fourth dimension? The well-nigh of import thing you take to remember when using articulate stamps is that yous need to condition them.

Stamp conditioning eraser set

Postage stamp conditioning eraser set from Altenew

Here are some tools that you can use to prepare or condition your stamps:

  1. Use a clear watermark ink or embossing ink.
  2. Use a rubber eraser.
  3. Apply your fingers. Yes, you can apply your fingers if you find yourself without an embossing ink or a rubber eraser. Simply rub the glutinous part of the photopolymer articulate stamp using your finger. It'due south every bit elementary equally that.
  4. Use alcohol prep pads. You can utilize these to clean upwards whatever safe eraser residue.
  5. Utilize a stamp cleaner. This is a handy tool to accept since information technology is designed to clean stamps amend than anything else - especially when you take no access to clean h2o and soap.
  6. Use a postage stamp shammy. This is basically a piece of cloth that you need to soak with water.

New photopolymer stamp sets are sometimes besides mucilaginous and shiny. The stickiness is both a good matter and a bad thing; it allows it to stick well to an acrylic block or a stamping platform, just it as well prevents the ink from sticking to it. This is due to the fact that clear stamps are made using a resist method. The chemicals that cause that "resist" will create that stickiness. The same chemicals will also resist ink. Conditioning your postage will requite you a clean, well-baked, and shine stamped prototype and become rid of the unwanted lumps, cobweb, dust, or other strands.

How to Clean Photopolymer Stamps?

Now that you lot know how to employ photopolymer stamps , information technology'southward also essential to learn the process of cleaning photopolymer stamps . Even beginner stampers should know that stamps must be cleaned every after use. Not cleaning them after will bear on their quality and might permanently stain them.

Hither are a few stamp cleaning tools that you lot can use:

  • Water
  • Mild soap
  • Clean cloth
  • Postage stamp cleaner
  • Stamp shammy
  • Baby wipes or wet wipes (not highly recommended since in that location are instances where it would get out fibers onto your stamps)

Cleaning photopolymer stamps with stamp cleaner

Postage Cleaner from Altenew

Altenew has a multipurpose postage cleaner that is fabricated for both clear stamps and rubber stamps. This cleaner will piece of work with water-based or permanent inks. Simply spray information technology onto the surface of your stamp and wipe make clean with a soft textile or a stamp shammy. Cleaning photopolymer stamps will help you take care of your beloved postage stamp sets. This will ensure that you lot can use them for a long time and make the most out of them.

Finding the Best Photopolymer Stamp Sets for your Newspaper Crafting Needs!

Photopolymer stamps are must-haves in every paper crafter's tool kit. These might be a bit pricier than acrylic stamps or rubber stamps, just these are a worthy investment. With proper care and storage, these clear stamps will last for years - fifty-fifty decades. Y'all tin can try a broad variety of bill of fare making and newspaper crafting techniques with these stamps and create many handmade cards, scrapbook pages, and other DIY projects.

Set up to start with stamping? Check out our stamp collections!