The abundance of rubber stamping supplies can be daunting for a beginner - just what do you need to get started? Here are some of the essentials required to get started making great images.
The Essentials to Get You Started Rubber Stamping
Rubber stamping is an extremely versatile craft and while it is possible to create lovely images with just a few items of equipment, there is a wealth of different stamps, inks, embossing powders, embellishments and other great supplies that can tempt a beginner rubber stamper.
Planning Purchases
There is no need to buy everything all at once (despite how tempting this may be!). Not only will this be expensive, but it might also result in disappointment. Vellum, for instance, is a lovely type of paper however it has special qualities meaning that it is not ideal for a first project.
When starting rubber stamping there are a few key supplies that are necessary and these, combined with a few multi-purpose stamps, will give plenty of potential for creative fun without breaking the bank.
There are four essentials required by the novice rubber stamper:
A few well chosen mounted and unmounted rubber stamps will have a variety of uses.
Both traditional wood backed rubber stamps and the new clear acrylic varieties have designs are suitable for beginners. Bold designs and images are easier to use than fine and intricate patterns.
Special rubber stamp inks are best for beginners as these have been formulated for stamping and give reliable results. While it is possible to use a whole variety of inks and paints with rubber stamps, it is a good idea to gain confidence with basic stamping techniques before moving onto more unusual inks and projects.
When beginning rubber stamping, paper and cardstock give a good surface to work on. Scrap paper is ideal to practice on and by using both sides of a sheet it will give ample opportunity to experiment. Papers with smooth surfaces give the most reliable results.
It is possible to rubber stamp onto virtually any surface. By using the correct ink or paint, fabric, glass, walls, ceilings, wood and many other surfaces can be stamped. Some face painters even use rubber stamps within some of their designs.
The fourth essential is plenty of ideas! Good ideas will help turn ordinary stamping projects into something special. Virtually anything can be rubber stamped so let your imagination wander and come up with some great and innovative ideas.
In addition to the essentials above, there are several supplies that are nice to have but not absolutely necessary. These include:
It is possible to buy a specialist stamp cleaner, however stamps can be effectively cleaned with baby wipes or soap and water.
Storing stamps carefully will help to ensure cleanly stamped images. When starting out it is easy to look after just a few stamps, however as the collection grows so does the need to create a good storage system.
Bring some pizazz to your rubber stamping by applying some special techniques. Embossing powders, heat gun, glitters and many other exciting supplies can be used within several different techniques. These are wonderful ways to create great rubber stamped designs.
Tips for Buying Supplies
Here are some useful tips to help you get the most from your rubber stamping budget.
Buy stamps with multiple uses to maximize the stamping opportunities from each stamp.
Look for stamps with bold patterns as these give reliable results on most beginner projects.
Purchase all purpose inks that donīt require any special finishing techniques. These can be used on a variety of materials.
Practice on scrap paper or craft paper before moving onto special papers and cards.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
| 