A little step by step for stampers…
Hi there
Thanks for popping in. If there are two arty things I love – apart from pottery and printmaking – it’s our Overlay stamps and our Embedders. If you’re into lino-cutting or monoprinting, then you will know just how closely related our two innovations are to the world of printmaking.
Let me do a simple little step-by-step for you, to demonstrate how they work. And I can tell you now. Any printmaker would be pretty impressed by how this works. I guess, because we make stamps for a living, and have done for decades, because we developed the transparent stamp back in the early 90’s, this kind of stamping idea feels like just another good idea that works well. I have to say, I consider our two-way and three-way stamps to be the best thing we’ve ever come up with. Just blimming lovely to use, and amazing arty artwork every time. The designs we select really lend themselves to this overlay process too.
Here’s a super simple step by step, to demonstrate how it works.
Take a 2-way stamp. Here we have the Queen Anne’s lace stamp, from our Botanicals Collection by our dear friend Mel Turner. CLICK HERE TO FIND
Stamp the No. 1 stamp, the outline, in black Archival onto a piece of 3.5 x 3.5in stencil card.
Now ink up the other stamp in a coloured ink pad. I used a blue pad. Maybe Feathered Peacock or Broken China. Either way, a die based ink pad. Stamp it onto another piece of the same card, so you can see how lovely the second stamp is too. Sits beautifully on its own too.
Now comes the clever trick. Ink up the second stamp in blue again. Hover over the black line art, focus on just two reference points. Line them up, then plant the inner image within the outline.
A 3-way overlay has a third stamp, which would infill the background too. We have loads of those designs on our website. A printmaker would be impressed by the fine line detail we are able to achieve with these stamps. But of course, the magic lies in Mel’s designs to begin with, and that’s the truth.
Next, let’s take a look at the embedding. We have come up with an inexpensive way to add that embedded effect that one gets in printmaking, when one runs a printing plate through a platen press or printing press.
Here I used the nested square set. Loads of embossing and debossing options. CLICK HERE TO FIND
Just follow the pics here, to see how it works.
- Pick the size you want, and attach it to the front of your work with low-tack tape
- Flip the work over to the back, find where the embedder is positioned by rubbing your thumb along the edge.
- Wipe the back of the card with a tumble dryer sheet for ease
- Run the No. 2 embossing tool slowly around the edge on the back.
- Flip to the front and remover the Embedder, to reveal a perfect faux relief effect frame.
We call them 2-way overlay stamps. I consider them to be precision art printing plates, which work independently and in unison.
As for the Embedders, well, they’re just an excellent framing tool, which create a super classy embossed frame, just like the relief around an expensive print.
Yes. If I had to name our two best mixed media / print ideas in recent years, it would be these two. I never tire of using either. And what’s more, it’s the pricepoint! Once you’ve travelled down the arty road of printing presses, you will quickly appreciate how inexpensive these stamps and embedders are.
Why not treat yourself to a set of 2-way or 3-way stamps. There are so many to choose from! CLICK HERE
Love always,
Barb x x x
13 thoughts on “A little step by step for stampers…”
I have got a couple of overlay stamps but never got on with them that well and put it down to my shaky hands! While reading your blog I suddenly realised I now have a stamping platform so ….. why haven’t I had a go with that. Just didn’t give it a thought. So will be trying, we’ve got friends coming for cards and fish and chips this afternoon so will have to wait to have a try but it’s now in my head ! Have a good weekend and enjoy the rest of your time with Grace. Hope Dave’s knee is better. X
WOW…but, I often wonder if we could use a bit of Groovi Grip on the embedders instead of sticky tape? Maybe?
Love to you all
Maggie (York UK)
I agree, two of the best Clarity developments, although everything you sell is the best! Have a good weekend. Xx
Time is what I am lacking in not beautiful products of which I have many.
Love these stamps. Happy Birthday to Grace for tomorrow. Bit early but I am out first thing. Take care.
I’ve not had stamping day for ages, and I really need to – my card stash is desperately low! Maybe this weekend will release a bit of time – this distance caring lark isn’t easy, but still feel so lucky to have my mum and dad at 92 and 93 x
I love the embedders they really are an amazing bit of kit. In the past I often struggled with how to finish off a card as I was really pleased with what I’d done but felt the card was lacking something but I didn’t want to ruin what I’d just done with more stamping/colouring or add more depth with mats & layers. The embedders are therefore perfect as they just seem to elevate the art to another, classier level. A game changer they most certainly are. Hope you all have a lovely weekend & that Grace enjoys her birthday xxx
I agree the two/three way overlay stamps plus the embedders make such a difference to card making. I have quite a selection of both just need to find more crafting time !!
Have a lovely weekend celebrating Graces birthday, I hope Dave continues to improve as well x
I have the complete set of the three way little stamps from way back when, I think one is an acorn. Must get them out and use them with the smallest embedder . Thank you for jogging my memory and getting ideas back. X
Have plenty of 2 & 3 way stamps but rarely use them this way as I find it hard to get a good finish with my currently dodgy eyes so it’s good they can be used individually.
The embedders are easy to use and give a classy finish to any card, I wouldn’t be without them.
Have a good weekend.
The overlay stamps are just fab and I think the embedders are just about my favourite Clarity creation – I go to them all the time! Hope Grace is having a fantastic birthday weekend with you!
Hello Barb, thank you for this superb step by step. I love my embedders, such a great concept. I guess I should take another look at the overlay stamps. Maybe get Hubby to get some for my Birthday. Belated Happy Birthday to Grace. Take care everyone, a bit cool today. Bx
I love the embedded and Deborah has helped no end showing in tv how she locates the edge, I am just not as good as Barbara but Deborah’s tip has made such a difference. I love how stylish the result is
Is there a solid pice in the embedders about 3 inches because I have nothing to arrack my double sided tape to