Different Types of Stamps
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between wood stamps, clear stamps, and the other types of stamps out there? Do you want to know if you can use all the same supplies on them? Fear not, I’m here to tell you all about the different stamp types out there!
So, there are a couple of different types of stamps available, traditional wood-mount stamps and clear poly-photomer stamps dominate the offerings. They are both generally used in the same way, with a few exceptions outlined below.
What makes the stamps different?
Why choose wood mount over clear stamps or vice versa? It (as always) depends on what you want to do with them.
Wood Mount Stamps
The original stamp. Deep etched rubber mounted on a wooden block. Wood mount stamps are more expensive but will last indefinitely when taken care of properly.
If you’re going to use a stamp thousands of times, or if you want a stamp with super fine detail work, a wood mount rubber stamp is your best bet.
Clear Stamps
The 21st century alternative to wood-mount rubber stamps. Clear stamps are made from a poly-photomer base, and allow you to see right through the image to your project.
You will need an acrylic block (or another clear flat surface) to mount and use clear stamps.
Clear stamps are much more economical and usually come in sets with multiple coordinating stamps in one package.
Clear stamps will wear out over time, but with proper care (cleaning after use and putting them back on their clear film), they can last several years or more.
Pick up rukristin clear stamps here.
Cling Mount Stamps
Cling stamps are a hybrid between rubber and clear stamps. They are basically a wood mount rubber stamp, without the wood mount. You will need an acrylic block to mount and use cling stamps.
They do have the same detail that the wooden rubber-mounted stamps have but take up less space, and usually are less expensive as well.
Stamps come in several different varieties. Hopefully, this post has helped to answer some of your questions about the variations and how you can make the most out of each of them.
Thanks for stopping by!
It took me a while to transition from wood to clear stamps, mostly cause I couldn’t figure out how to use the latter. I had a box of wooden stamps from a few decades ago (notice how this sentence is in past tense). I love the clear stamps cause they are storage-friendly, and I am OK with them having a life-span, I find I am ready and willing to switch it up over time and replace ones that have gone to meet their maker. It keeps my supplies up to date, pertinent, rather than creating a vast storage unit of rubber stamps, often many that have outlived their usefulness.
I haven’t ever seen any cling mount stamps. They sound like they have a longer lifespan, between that of the other two types, but I am still good with the rotation of the clear stamps. Just sayin’ 😛