How to Condition Your Stamps and Why You Should

ByJill Lipscomb
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When I first started stamping I could never get a clear image with brand new stamps.  I used quality paper and quality ink. What was the problem? I was informed by a stamping friend “You need to condition your stamps before using them.”  Huh? Brand spanking new photopolymer stamps and red rubber stamps have super clean stamping surfaces.  Ink doesn’t want to stick to the surface of the stamp. There are several ways to condition your stamps to make sure you get the best image possible.

How to condition your stamps and why you should

Methods to condition your stamps

How to condition your stamps and why you should Ink Stamp and Repeat

The Ink, Stamp, Repeat Method – Ink up your brand new stamp with an ink of your choice. Stamp off the ink on some scratch paper.  Repeat this process until the image is clear.

  • Photopolymer or clear stamps will stain.  This is 100% okay!
  • High-quality clear stamps stain after repeated use which causes the ink to stick to the stamping surface better.
How to condition your stamps and why you should The Eraser Method

The Eraser Method – Lightly rub a white eraser over the stamp surface.

  • This removes any residue from the stamping surface.
  • The surface of the stamp will turn a little lighter when you rub the eraser over it. That’s fine.  Use a microfiber cloth to remove the eraser bits.
  • Be sure to clean your stamp before inking it up to use.
How to condition your stamps and why you should The Versamark Method

The Versamark Method – Ink up the stamp with Versamark Ink.  Rub the ink off on the palm of your hand.  Then ink up the stamp with the ink you want to use.  For more information about Versamark Ink check out this article on Understanding the Six Most Commonly Used Inks in Stamping

  • This makes the surface of the stamp slightly sticky which makes the ink stick to the stamping surface
  • I usually stamp off on scratch paper and repeat the process before I take my stamp to my project.
  • If you use this method, be sure not to transfer colored ink to your Versamark ink pad.

The Sanding Block Method – Now, I’ve never had the need to try this one so do so at your own risk.  This method is for red rubber stamps only!

  • Use a foam sanding block with super fine grit sanding paper on it.
  • Be VERY gentle.

What If This Doesn’t Work?

If you still aren’t getting a good impression from your stamped images, check out my article on Stamp Cleaning.  This has some great tips on ways to make sure your stamps are perfectly clean.  If you are using acrylic stamps, the images probably will never be crisp no matter what you do.  Acrylic stamps are typically found in dollar bins and some of the first clear stamps ever produced.

Conditioning your stamps before use will save you from the heartache of a poorly stamped image and a potentially ruined project.  It takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Remember, photopolymer stamps will stain. That just means the stamp is conditioned really well and will give an amazing image!  So, take the time and condition your stamps!

Want to remember all of these amazing tips to condition your next new stamp? Pin it! Click here!

Did you know that conditioning your stamps is an important step to get super crisp images? Check more info over on my blog. #handmade #stamping #diycard

Jill Lipscomb has been creating cards for over 15 years and blogging about card making for over 3 years. Jill's passion is teaching others how to create handmade cards. Jill has online card classes for new card makers as well as experienced card makers.

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22 Comments

    1. Great question! Good quality stamps shouldn’t dry out. Red rubber stamps can become brittle from disuse after YEARS. But to ensure your stamps stay amazing for a good long time… #1 Don’t buy knock off stamps. #2 Keep them out of direct sunlight. #3 Keep them clean. #4 Dry them before you put them away.

  2. thanks who you thinks just rub eraser over them would help.My question for how do get acrylic stamps to come off a clear plastic backing ?

    1. Hey Gail! Good quality, clear, photopolymer stamps will pull off easily from the acetate backing sheet with firm pulling. What is the brand of the stamp set that you are having difficulty with?

    2. Gently pry the acrylic stamp from its backing. It’s difficult the first time you remove it, easy thereafter.

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    2. I’ve had quite a few clear stamps almost refuse to come off their sheet. I’ve had to patiently try to peel them off, tiny bit by tiny bit. It’s the only thing that I did that worked. I only had one which had a little corner rip off but it doesn’t seem to badly affect the image. I also found the most difficult ones to peel off were the cheap ones from another country, not made in the USA.

      1. Yeah, cheap or knock-off stamps are really difficult to get off the backing and will tear. Ends up being not worth it. Now, if your high quality stamps are left in direct sun light for too long (like months on end) they will get brittle and difficult to use.

      2. The chemicals in the silicone will bind with the plastics in the packaging if not removed. I just use a little mild water based lotion on my fingers and slide between the stamp and backing. The tiny bit of oils emolliates the silicone. Then I use a mild soap and water to prep them. Works for me.

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  6. I live in Cyprus and have a load of gel cling stamps some are OK and work fine but some are starting to break up and crumble is there any way I can save them please?

    1. Ann I’m not 100% sure what you mean by gel stamps. I think you are referring to clear stamps. If that’s the case it sounds like you have acrylic stamps and not photopolymer stamps. Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done to stop acrylic stamps from falling apart. The material used in acrylic stamps tends to dry rot over time.

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    1. Joyce,
      That is a GREAT question! I like to use the white erasers because they are soft and and won’t accidently mark your stamp. The hard pink erasers a little too gritty and might cause damage to the stamp. Jill

  9. You mention a soft white eraser, yet an ad on the page shows the Tombow Mono (sand) eraser. Do you truly means a soft white eraser? Thanks!!

    1. Hi April! You want a white soft eraser. Anything presented to you in ads is not based on the articles. Ads are personalized to you by Google. Anything that I link to, the text will be a different color or is in gray boxes at the bottom of the article. I hope this helps.

  10. Hello, I have recently bought a quite expensive Sam Pool’s clear stamp set from Creative Expressions and the stamping area is so sticky that I’m afraid it would ruin my ink pad. Is it possible that this sticky substance would contaminate and dry out the ink pad? Is there a way to eliminate the stickiness? Thank you!

    1. Clean the stamping surface with a stamp cleaner and stamp scrubbing pad. Photopolymer stamps are a little sticky by nature but shouldn’t be overly sticky.

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