﻿There’s more to stamps than just pressing an inkpad and stamping a piece of paper.
Here are seven creative and unique ways to get more out of your stamps!
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1. Use multiple colors
Traditional stamping uses one color per stamp, which can get a little boring.
Try using multiple ink colors by pressing small ink pads to certain sections of the stamp!
Use an ink pad like a Tsukineko Soramame Pad and lightly dab your stamp.
Grab a different color ink and apply it to a different area.
You can use as many or as few colors as you want, just make sure you cover the entire design.
Press your stamp onto your journal, and voila–you have a cool, colorful imprint!
If you get a little ink on your stamp pad, you can press the pad onto scrap paper to remove the ink.
Vary the pressure you use to apply ink to create gradient effects with your stamps.
Should you want your stamps to pop even more, consider accenting them with a glitter or metallic gel pen!
Make sure your ink is dry, then trace parts of the design with a pen of your choice.
We personally like Pentel Hybrid Dual Metallic Gel Pens since their ink isn’t too thick.
2. Combine stamps for layer effects
Stamps don’t have to be standalone designs on your page.
Try combining your stamps to create fun layer effects!
Clear stamps like these Nombre Mizushima Jizai Stamps are especially great for this.
The key is to start with the simpler designs and save the more detailed stamps for last.
You can first stamp with a solid color design, creating a “base” color or background.
Once it’s dry, stamp on top of it with a more detailed design in a darker, opaque shade.
You can also layer with whatever stamps you already have.
For example, bunch up flower stamps to create for small bouquets.
MU My Icon Clear Stamps are a good choice for small bouquets! And they're so cute!
3. Add details before stamping
Stamps with few details and large surface areas can feel too basic.
Before you stamp, add details to it with a toothpick or stylus!
This works really well on solid stamps.
If you use a toothpick, make sure the tip isn’t too sharp or it might damage the stamp.
First, ink your stamp.
Next, draw little patterns or details on the surface, removing some of the ink.
Wipe ink off your tool between each drawing to ensure your lines are clean.
When you’re satisfied, stamp the page.
Now you have a design that looks more interesting!
4. Design your own washi tape
Did you know you can customize your own washi tape using stamps?
This works best with tape that can handle water-based ink,
like these Mark’s Maste Writable Washi Tapes.
Otherwise the ink might smear.
If you have multi-surface stamping ink, like Tsukineko StazOn Midi Ink,
you can use this technique on regular washi tapes –
mt Solids Washi Tapes are a great option.
To design your washi tape, first roll out a section and place it down on a flat surface that you’re fine with dirtying.
Something plastic, maybe like a shitajiki or some packaging that you have laying around.
Might be a good option here.
Start stamping away – you can use as many colors and stamps as you want,
but we recommend two to four stamps so you won’t end up with a cluttered design.
Once it’s dry, you can use the tape in your planner, journal, or crafts.
5. Use your own markers and inks
If you feel limited by your ink pad colors, try using water-based markers to color your stamps!
This makes use of pens you might already own,
like Tombow Dual Brush Pens and Pentel Fude Touch Sign Brush Pens.
Plus, coloring directly on the stamp lets you apply ink more precisely than stamping an ink pad.
Before you start, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Markers work better with detailed stamps.
Our next tip is to stick to darker colors.
They show up more easily, so you can see exactly where you’ve inked your stamp.
You may need to apply more pressure when stamping to get all your ink to show up as well when compared to using ink pads.
Lastly, clean your stamp between each color or else you might stain your marker.
6. Color in what you’ve stamped
Stamping on its own is fun, but sometimes you want to add colors after placing your design.
When coloring with markers, use a waterproof ink like Tsukineko Versafine to lay down your stamped image,
and then once the ink has dried, color it in with water-based markers.
We like using Kuretake Zig Dot Markers since they come in a range of gorgeous colors,
plus they feature a unique round dot tip!
Since the stamp ink is waterproof, it won’t smear or bleed.
This technique is a fast and artistic way to create “illustrations” without ever drawing,
plus you aren’t restricted to just black line art.
7. Create patterns
Did you know you can create repeating patterns with stamps?
This method is perfect for making greeting cards and envelopes, scrapbooking, or journaling.
First, select one or a few stamps to determine your design or theme.
Stamp multiple times in a line or grid layout to create a larger pattern.
Use waterproof inks if you plan on coloring the stamps in with watercolors or water-based markers later on.
Which of these ideas did you like best? Do you have other creative stamping ideas?
Let us know in the comments below!
You can find all these products in the description below and at JetPens.com, the place for pen and stationery lovers.
Thanks for watching!