What are cling stamps?
Cling stamps are clear plastic stamps that you can use with a clear acrylic mount for more precise stamping placement. You may also see cling stamps marketed as clear, acrylic, polymer, or photopolymer stamps.
Cling stamps have many benefits that make them the preferred choice over traditional wooden and rubber stamps in most use cases. They offer endless variety, lower costs, and higher precision.
Luckily for you, I’ll show you what a cling stamp is and how to use one. I’ll show you the difference between a cling and photopolymer stamp, and how to store your stamps. You’ll be using your first cling stamp in no time!
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What is a cling stamp?
The cling stamp is the thin part of the stamp, sans mount, that can be added and removed to the mount you choose and quickly swapped out and stored. This eliminates the need for bulky stamp storage. You’ll purchase clear acrylic mounts, also called blocks, separately and in varying sizes depending on the cling stamp shapes you’ll want to use.
A cling stamp accomplishes the same purpose as rubber or wooden stamp, but you can think of it as the traditional stamp’s new and improved replacement.
A cling stamp will come with a label attached to show the finished stamped image. Sometimes, these labels come separately, and you can affix them yourself.
What is the difference between cling stamps and photopolymer stamps?
Photopolymer stamps look just like cling stamps, but they’re higher quality and more expensive. Photopolymer stamps are more durable than clear acrylic cling stamps, heavier and less flimsy, and are made of photopolymer resin. Some crafters report better quality image transfers as well. Otherwise, these stamps work the same way as cling stamps.
Why should I use a cling stamp?
Cling stamps are less expensive counterparts to your traditional rubber stamp. They also take up less space, and since you can see right through them, you’ll know exactly where you’re stamping your finished image.
The detachable block that you’ll use to mount your cling stamp may come with gridlines, making precise placement even easier. These blocks come in different sizes to fit just about any cling stamp. You can even combine various cling stamps to a single block, depending on size, to achieve custom combinations of stamped images.
In addition, cling stamps have a lightly tacky texture, which helps ink stick better and therefore leaves a better impression on your page.
What are cling stamps used for?
From children to adults, anyone can use a cling stamp to create crafts, including cards, gift and favor tags, personalized boxes, wrapping paper, and even wall art.
Depending on your desired surface, you can apply regular stamp ink, acrylic or wall paint, and even fabric paint to a cling stamp.
Scrapbookers love cling stamps as an alternative, reusable option to replace sticker adornments on the page. Cling stamps are easily stored in stamp books and easily cleaned.
How do you use a cling stamp?
Here is how to use a cling stamp:
- Peel your stamp of choice from its plastic backing sheet, then remove the plastic liner to reveal the sticky side of the stamp.
- Place the sticky side of the cling stamp onto an appropriately sized acrylic block mount and press it firmly into place.
- Ink the stamp and press it onto your desired surface firmly and evenly.
- When finished with your stamp design, use a stamp shammy or another approved cleaning method to wash the ink from your cling stamp before removing it from the acrylic block.
- Carefully peel the cling stamp from the block, taking care not to tear the foam backing and adhere it back to the acetate sheet.
Are cling stamps reusable?
Cling stamps are reusable for a long time if cleaned and stored properly. When you’re finished with a cling stamp, carefully peel it off your reusable clear block mount, clean it, then stick it back on the acetate sheet from which it came. Now, it’s ready to use for next time!
How do you clean cling stamps?
The best way to clean cling stamps is with a stamp shammy. This reusable towel requires no cleaning solution and won’t shed fibers onto your tacky cling stamp.
If you don’t have a stamp shammy, you can use other stamp cleaning solutions such as Re: Marks Cleaning Solution, or an archival ink cleaner if you’re using permanent ink on your clear stamp. You can also use gentle soap and water to wash your stamps in a small bowl.
Use a towel that will not shed or leave debris on the surface of your cling stamp, keeping in mind that it can be sticky and attract dust and fibers. Consider using a soft-bristled toothbrush for stubborn ink stains to lightly scrub your stamp.
Stampendous, a cling stamp manufacturer, warns consumers not to use acetone, bleach, or oil-based cleaners on your cling stamps, as they can strip and damage your stamp. Experts also tell consumers to avoid washing your stamps in the sink because small stamps can fall down the drain.
How do you store cling stamps?
You can store cling stamps on the acetate sheets that they were purchased on or in stamp storage books. Often, the plastic sheets have the stamp design printed on them, so it’s easy to put each stamp back in its correct place.
Within a storage book or binder, you’d affix your cling stamps to three-ring plastic sheets, which are easily refillable if you run out of space.
Some crafters choose to store their cling stamps in boxes, and that works, too!
Since cling stamps are made of plastic, you should store them in a cool, dry place. If the stamps get too hot, heat will distort and melt them, rendering them unusable. Store your stamps out of direct sunlight.
Summary: What are cling stamps?
Cling stamps offer a cost-effective, reusable, and space-saving way to bring various images and designs into your craft projects. They’re as easy to use as traditional stamps but offer even more precision. If they’re cleaned and stored correctly, cling stamps will last you for years to come!