Acrylic or Clear Stamps

What are Clear Stamps?:
Clear stamps are known by different names. As well as being called acrylic stamps they may be called polymer stamps, photo-polymer stamps, clear rubber stamps or any variation on the above. They all fall under the heading, however, of 'clear stamps'.

When attached to a block, clear stamps can be used repeatedly in a similar manner to a traditional stamp.

Features of Clear Stamps:
The features of clear stamps are:

• They are almost completely transparent when purchased
• The stamps are slightly tacky allowing them to be adhered to a stamping block for use
• They are stored on a backing sheet, in a protective wallet or container such as a CD case
• Clear stamps are sold individually or on a sheet containing several stamps

How are Clear Stamps Used?:
Clear stamps are very easy to use, however they do need to be attached to a smooth surface prior to stamping. Special acrylic blocks are sold for this purpose and these are ideal as they are completely clear and are found in a variety of shapes and sizes.

To use, the stamps are simply removed from the protective backing and attached to the block. The stamps are then dabbed with ink and used as normal.

The stamps can be combined or arranged on the block as required, this gives a wide range of design opportunities.

Storing Clear Stamps:
The correct storing of any stamp is important to preserve the stamping surface and to ensure that it continues to produce top quality images. Most clear stamps come attached to a backing and the stamps can be reattached to this protective backing for storage. Many stampers also use other systems for storing their clear stamps and this includes CD cases and plastic wallets. Some stamp manufacturers sell their stamps in CD cases and this makes them easy to store as CD racks are widely available.

Advantages of Clear Stamps:
There are many benefits of clear stamps, these include:

• Cost – clear stamps are often cheaper than traditional rubber stamps
• Cheaper to Deliver – These stamps are cheaper to deliver as they are light and less bulky than mounted stamps
• Ease of Use – the stamps can be used immediately with a single acrylic block without having to mount or prepare the stamps in any way.
• Accurate Stamping – the clear stamps and clear stamping block mean that it is easy to accurately place stamps
• Storage – clear stamps are simple to store and do not take up much room.

Disadvantages of Clear Stamps:
While clear stamps have many benefits, they do have some drawbacks. These include:

• Loss of Stickiness – the stamps can lose their stickiness due to dirt or dust (although washing the stamps in water may help to restore the stickiness)
• Image Quality – many clear stamps give a slightly softer stamped image than traditional rubber stamps.
• Tearing – the stamps are soft and can tear when being removed from the backing sheet
• Fiddly - some of the tiny stamps can be fiddly to use and to clean.
• Blocks - blocks are required in order to use the stamps and this can add to the cost