Storing Your Stamps

When I first started stamping, I could fit all my supplies in a shoebox. Somewhere between then and now, I’ve graduated to an entire room filled with stamps. The trick, then, is how to store my stamps, organize them and in general—keep them under control!

There are two types of stamps I use: Wood-mounted and acrylic, so I’ll talk about storage for those types. Whichever kind you use, the object is to keep your stamps clean, dry and out of the sun or harsh light.

Acrylic Stamps

I recently had to downsize my stamping space and was ever so grateful to my acrylic stamps, which are a cinch to store.

I keep my acrylic stamps on the clingy index sheet they come on, with the other cling sheet on top. I have a 3-ring binder filled with clear inserts (like sheet protectors). I slip my acrylic stamps, on their clingy sheet, inside an insert and store the binder upright on a shelf.

Now, organization is up to you—you could group them by manufacturer or theme, like Quotes/Words, Nature, Swirls, etc. I’ve got mine in a completely random fashion because 1) I’ll know I’ll never keep them in tidy groups; and 2) I like to look at (and admire) my stamps as I’m choosing which one to use.

My friend Jane uses a different method: She’s got a magnetic photo album—you know, the old kind where you peel away the plastic sheet. She puts her index sheet under the protective sheet, then sticks the stamps on the front, positioning them on top of the corresponding image.

Don't put too many stamps in each binder, or they’ll be too heavy to stand up. Also, please don’t toss your stamps into a box or basket or store them under anything heavy. Stamps are pretty durable but you still want to treat your investment with care!

Wood Mounted Rubber Stamps

I’ve got a LOT of wood mounted stamps, so storage can be tricky. I first tried keeping them in boxes but soon found I couldn’t remember what stamps I had, or where they were. My solution was two-fold: Clear plastic boxes for seasonal and rarely-used stamps; and wall-mounted shelves for frequently-used stamps.

I’ve stacked my seasonal and rarely-used stamps in clear plastic boxes, with the large, heavy ones on the bottom. I only have two layers of stamps…otherwise the stamps on the bottom could get damaged by the weight over time.

My frequently-used stamps are on shelves with the rubber side facing the wall, the way the are at a stamp store. This way I can find a stamp at a glance (well, most of the time!) and they look nice, too. You could certainly organize them by theme, manufacturer or another method—but I’ve pretty much got them grouped to maximize the shelf space.

No matter what storage method you use, be sure to allow room for growth!