About Clear Stamps:
Stamps are self adhesive to any slick surface and are perfect for clear acrylic blocks. You can also see where you are stamping when using clear blocks.
Here are some hints for stamping with clear stamps:
Conditioning
*It is important that you condition clear stamps before your first use. In their new state, clear stamps to want to repel ink and you can actually see it pooling into little drops on the surface when you ink them. A standard pink eraser is recommended to scuff the surface or just rub across paper a few times, this will help your clear stamp hold ink.
1. Remove stamp from storage sheet.
2. Place the stamp onto an acrylic block that is around the same size of the stamp. The polymer stamp has a natural stickiness so you do not need an adhesive.
3. Apply ink to the stamp in the normal way. If you have problems with ink bubbling on new stamps, rub them on a piece of paper a few times to remove the slick base.
4. Position stamp on your paper or cardstock, you can see through the block and stamp so positioning is easy.
5. Clean your stamps with a mild, water based stamp cleaner.
Do's and Don't with Clear Stamps
Don't store your clear stamps in direct light. Store your clear stamps in a light-free container, such as a cardboard shoe box. Polymer stamps are made of a light sensitive material. Some clear stamps yellow from light, but this will not affect their stamping ability.
Don't use solvent based inks, such as StazOn. The ink is very hard to clean off without their special cleaner. The StazOn cleaner can damage your polymer stamp. Some Inks will stain your stamps, but again this will not affect their stamping quality.
Do clean your stamps after every use.
Don't clean the stamp with anything abrasive, including solvent cleaners or an oil based cleaner, this will damage the printing surface. Polymer stamps tend to either get gooey or harden as time goes on. This problem is exacerbated by sunlight, indoor lighting, oil based products, acetone and bleach. Baby wipes are a great method of cleaning polymer stamps. You can also use mild soap and water or alcohol. There are also cleaners made specifically to be gentle enough for use with polymer stamps.
If your stamps lose their tackiness wash them with warm soapy water and air dry. When they are dry they will re-cling to your acrylic block.
Clear stamps are not designed to last as long as rubber stamps. But don't be disappointed, they are still great tools and have so many other great attributes like price, storage and ability to see where you are stamping. Enjoy them and stamp on!!