Angel Company

Is a term common in the rubber stamp industry.  This term identifies a company that allows the consumer to use their stamps to create products for resale.  Each company has a different policy so it is wise to contact each stamp manufacturer for information on their respective copyright policies.  Common restrictions may include: limiting the amount of hand stamped sample for resale, making sure that products are had stamped and not electronically reproduced, and restriction from using licensed properties such as Warner Bros.™, Suzy Zoo™ and Cynthia Hart™.

Dye Based Ink

A quick drying water based ink.  Colors are most vibrant on white, glossy coated papers and card stock.  Not recommended for use with embossing powder.  Ink fades with time and when exposed to light.

Pigment Ink

Thick, slow-drying ink.  Colors are rich and vibrant even on colored papers and cards.  The ink will not dry on glossy coated papers unless embossed.

Crafter's Ink

Multi-purpose, permanent ink with a longer drying time than acrylic paint.  It is highly pigmented and the colors are mixable.  It works on a variety of surfaces and is great for numerous craft applications such as fabric, wood, paper and painted surfaces.  It must be heat set on fabric. 

Embossing (or Thermal Embossing)

A technique using stamps with embossing or pigment ink, embossing powder and a heat source to create raised images.  Stamp image with ink and immediately sprinkle with embossing powder over stamped image.  Tap excess powder and reserve for future use.  Heat image with embossing tool until powder melts.

Embossing Ink

Slow drying ink used for Thermal Embossing.  See Embossing above.

Inking a Stamp

There are several ways to ink a stamp:

1. Using Felt Ink Pads , Tap stamp firmly onto ink pad until stamp is evenly inked.  Raised felt ink pads can also be picked up and patted on stamp to apply color.
2. Using Foam Ink Pads , tap stamp gently onto ink pad until stamp is evenly inked.  Raised foam ink pads can also be picked up and patted onto stamp to apply color.
3. Using Brush markers , Use only water based brush tip markers as solvent or alcohol type inks will stain and dry rubber out.  Brush markers are used by applying the brush tip marker directly onto the stamp.  Multicolor impressions are achieved by using additional colors on various areas of the stamp.  Remoisten inks prior to stamping by breathing on the inked stamp or huffing.
4. Using Wedge Sponges , Use the flat edge of this sponge to apply inks or paints to the stamp in a patting motion.

   Stamp Cleaner

   Used to clean ink from stamps.  Use applicator top to apply cleaner to stamp, them pat stamp dry on paper towels.

   Stamping Mat

   A durable foam mat used as a work surface for stamping.  The mat gives slightly allowing the best ink impressions.  Particularly useful for oversized stamps.

   Stamping Paint

   A highly pigmented, acrylic paint specially formulated to be permanent on a variety of surfaces.  This paint has a slower drying time than acrylic paint to allow the user to apply different colors to a stamp for multi-color impressions.  Fabric must be heat set on reverse side to make permanent.

   Wedge Sponge

   Used to apply paint to stamps.  Load paint or ink on flat edge of sponge.  Pat paint or ink onto surface of stamp.  Also used as a tool to sponge color onto a variety of surfaces such as paper, fabric and wood.

   Masking

   A technique of covering a stamped image to protect it from subsequent applications of color.  A method used to create foregrounds and backgrounds.

   Instructions:

   1. Stamp foreground image onto surface first.
   2. Re-stamp image on a second piece of paper or Post it Note™.
   3. Cut the second image out.
   4. Align cut out image (or mask it) over the first image or foreground image.
   5. Stamp second image overlapping the mask
   6. Remove the mask.
   7. The second stamped image appears to be in the background.

      Mirror Image Stamp

      A flat rubber stamp used as a tool to create a reverse or mirror image of a rubber stamp.

      Instructions:

      1. Ink a rubber stamp design.
      2. Stamp on Mirror Image Stamp
      3. The use the Mirror Image to stamp the image onto paper.
      4. Image will be reversed.
      5. This imprint will be light because it is a second generation print.  Image can be touched up with markers if desired.