How to Stamp

Stamping is easy! Here are a few of my must-have tips for perfect stamping results.

Your work surface

Stamp on a smooth, hard table or countertop. I use a 15"x18" Craft Sheet to protect my table—it’s been one of the best investments I’ve ever made, since you can just wipe off or peel up spills. You can also place scrap paper underneath the paper you’re stamping on to protect your surface.

Applying ink to your stamp

Press the stamp two or three times onto the pad. You don’t need to use extreme pressure—squashing the stamp into the ink pad will get way too much ink on the stamp! Turn the stamp over to make sure it’s completely inked.

If your stamp is larger than your ink pad, hold the stamp image-side up in one hand and tap the ink pad onto the stamp with the other hand. For very finely detailed stamps, I slide the ink pad over the image instead of tapping it.

Stamping onto your paper

Press the inked stamp straight down onto your paper. Press firmly around all corners and edges with your fingertips—not just in the middle of the stamp. Don’t rock or wiggle it. Lift the stamp straight up.

(I find I get better impressions if I stand while stamping! This is especially important for large designs, which seem to require more pressure.)

Get to know your stamps

Every stamp has its own personality, which you’ll discover when you stamp with them. Small stamps require less ink and less pressure. Large stamps may need a firmer hand. And you’ll probably find that some images need a little extra pressure on one particular area.

I always test out my new stamps before using them on a project. I just ink it up and stamp onto a piece of scrap paper. This way I can see exactly where I need to apply more pressure or less ink.