Tips and Tricks
These tips I learned from very experienced stampers.
Hope this information helps improve your stamping experience.
Tip #1
Use a newsprint pad to support your work while stamping. Take a trip to your local arts & crafts store (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, etc.).
Locate the watercolor, oil painting crafts department. In this department there will be a section for paper supplies. In this department, look for newsprint paper. You want a
pad size of 9 inches X 12 inches, 30 lb (pound) 100 sheets (approx) it varies in cost. Purchase the least expensive pad, I paid $3.50 a year or more ago, it lasts forever.
This is what I stamp on. I also use a clipboard to hold the pad, folding the outside cover over, I clip the pad into the clipboard. Now I have a portable stamping surface.
The paper weight is not that important, the size is. This a very useful and convienent size, that will not get in your way while stamping. You always stamp on this pad,
this will be your stamping surface from now on. I also use the pad to unload a bit of color from my dusting brushes, or water from my watercolor inks.
When I am through for that session, simply tear off the soiled paper and you now have a new clean, fresh surface to stamp on.
I have a 6 foot long, table with a plastic top that I stamp on. I know immediately when I do not use my pad, for I will always get skips in the ink as the surface of the stamp is not fully supported.
If you have a wooden or metal desk to stamp on use that surface and your pad. The more support under your stamp and inks, when you are stamping the better. Also, use your pad when inking your stamp, or loading ink onto your stamp.
Tip #2
Precut paper into halfs of a 8-1/2 inch X 11 inch size of paper. This will yield a 5-1/2 inch X 8-1/2 inch piece of cardstock. Fold one of these sheets in half again and here is a card size that fits a #10 envelope.
I can then use one of these cards as an apron to use over my work while stamping.
