The following tutorial is the smARTworks method for using unmounted rubber.
It is what
works best for us... You will note that we do not apply any cushion to our rubber.
This is because smART rubber is so deeply etched that "cushioning" for a good impression is unnecessary.
It bears
mentioning that initially, there is a different "feel" to stamping with uncushioned rubber -- similar to sitting down on
Written
by Susan M. Trask for smARTworks
Basic Preparation and Use of Unmounted Stamps --
1. Using sharp (i.e. KAI brand) scissors,
and being careful not to undercut* the image, trim away excess rubber.
*Undercutting happens when, instead of cutting with
scissor blades perpendicular to the rubber, the top blade is angled outward...
The cut edge of the rubber is then angled under the
image. One way to solve this problem is by not cutting too close to the image
outlines. -- At smARTworks, unless we making
random impressions, we always use the Stamp-a-ma-jig stamp positioner.
It
eliminates the need for exact trimming and/or exact placement of the rubber on a mount.--
2. Apply a strip of Scotch Poster Tape to an appropriately sized acrylic block -- one that is slightly larger
than the trimmed rubber. The better the fit, the easier the stamping, with the best impression.
3. Press back of
trimmed stamp over the tape.
4. Use stamp as desired --
To keep the acrylic as clean as possible,
we prefer to ink the stamp by bringing the ink pad to the rubber vs. the rubber to the pad.
5. Clean the stamp.
6. Remove stamp from mount and store.
When tape begins to lose its stickiness, simply remove and replace...
