TUTORIAL: Your First Stamping Project

Step-by-Step Tutorial - Stamped Card

This tutorial describes how to make a very basic, first stamped greeting card.



Assemble Materials.
The first step is to set out your supplies that you are going to use. For your first stamping project keep materials simple:

• blank card (or cardstock plus craft knife and ruler)
• a picture stamp
• a word or phrase stamp
• at least one ink pad
• colored pencils or markers

Also handy to have: cutting mat, magnifying glass (for detail work, if any) , baby wipes or cleaning cloths for your stamps and work area.

The specific materials used in the illustrated card:

• Paper Bouquet Reversible Linen Textured Card Stock (Brown/Tan)
• Rubber Stampede "Spiral Gecko" Stamp
• Inkadinkado Creative Words - "Imagine" Stamp
• Color Box Petal Point Ink Pads - Alchemy
• Prang Brush Pens

Make a Card.
You can buy blank card and envelope sets at your local craft store. Or, for an even greater variety of paper and size options, make your own card from a sheet of cardstock. Decide how big you want your card to be and cut the cardstock to size. If making a large card, make sure you have an envelope that is large enough. You could also make your own envelope.

Ink a Stamp.
Select a stamp for the front of your card. Ink it by tapping it on your ink pad. If it is a large stamp (or you have small ink pads), turn it face up and tap your ink pad all over it.

Stamp an Image.

Stamp your image by pressing all over it firmly and lift straight up. To get a clear image using large stamps it is easier if you have an old foam mousepad under your cardstock. You may want to practice stamping on scrap paper to get the feel of stamping before you stamp on your project paper.

Clean Your Stamp.

After stamping I clean my stamp off with baby wipes. These are economical and easy to use. If that doesn't get your stamps clean enough,a little water and a toothbrush will do the trick.

There are many ways to clean a rubber stamp. In Ways to Clean Rubber Stamps Judith Perry lists dozens of solutions from many different crafters.

Color Stamped Image.

Coloring is optional but it can really enhance the appearance of your stamps. There are various ways to color your stamped image. One of my favorites is Prisma color pencils. I can get nice solid coverage. I use markers sometimes, but it's hard not to get streaks. For a softer look you can use chalks or watercolor pencils.

In this illustration, colored markers are used to fill in parts of the design. A magnifying glass helps to minimize mistakes when filling in small areas such as in this stamp design. You can see the linen texture of the paper in this magnified image.

Stamp Inside Card.

After the front of your card is complete stamp the word or phrase inside of your card. You may want to write a personal note instead.

Sign Your Work.

For a finishing touch, sign your work. There are several different kinds of stamps that say "hand stamped by". You can stamp this on the back of your card if you wish, filling in your name or using a stamp of your name or a personal logo.

In this illustration, a Provo Craft alphabet stamper spells out "I Made It" in 18 point type. This kind of stamp has rotating wheels with the alphabet so you can spell out custom messages.

Now you have a complete handmade card, made especially for the one receiving it. What a thoughtful way to show someone you care.

NOTE: The illustrations accompanying this article show an actual crafter, inexperienced in rubber stamping, following these instructions to make a card. Tell me about your first rubber stamping project.