September 17, 2005

Save $$ - Unmounted Rubber Stamps


Purchasing unmounted rubber stamps is by far cheaper than buying mounted rubber stamps. Of course, then comes the problem of how to mount them and what material to use. Below are two options for mounting rubber stamps. At the bottom of the page I've added my own CHEAP & EASY method.

Mounting on Wood

What you need:

  • wood mount 1/4" larger than the stamp die
  • unmounted rubber stamp
  • double stick foam mounting cushion
  1. Peel off one of the protective sheets from a piece of mounting cushion. Press the stamp die onto the cushion. Trim close to the image with a sharp scissors angling the cut away from the die. The black cushion should extend beyond the die slightly.
  2. Remove the remaining piece of protective backing from the cushion. Firmly apply to the wood block.

Mounting on Acrylic

What you need:

  • acrylic mount slightly larger than the stamp die
  • unmounted rubber stamp die
  • double stick foam cushion mounting & cling vinyl
  • OR EZ-Mount Cling Mounting Foam

  1. Peel off one of the protective sheets from a piece of mounting cushion. Press the stamp die onto the cushion. Trim close to the image with a sharp scissors angling the cut away from the die. The black cushion should extend beyond the die slightly.
  2. Remove the protective backing from the cushion. Apply the stamp die/foam cushion to the cling vinyl.
  3. Trim the vinyl to the size and shape of the cushion.
  4. Temporarily mount the stamp die onto the acrylic mount. The stamp die will "cling" to the acrylic mount surface.
  5. If the stamp die doesn't cling well, clean both the surfaces of the cling vinyl coating and the acrylic mount with window cleaner and dry well.

My Cheap and Easy Method

For small unmounted stamps:

  1. Take your stamps to Micheal's Craft store, or any craft store that has a bin full of mounted rubber stamps for .50 - $1.
  2. Find a mounted rubber stamp the same size or a little larger than the one you need to mount.
  3. Buy the mounted rubber stamp.
  4. Buy a sheet of double stick foam cushion mounting.
  5. Peel the unwanted rubber stamp and mounting material off of the wooden block.
  6. Trim your unmounted rubber stamp.
  7. Cut a piece of double stick foam cushion to fit your unmounted stamp.
  8. Stick your unmounted rubber stamp to the cushioned foam.
  9. Stick the cushioned foam to the wood block.
  10. Stamp the image on a piece of white paper then use clear packing tape to adhere it over the original image on the wood block.

For Larger Rubber Stamps: If you can't find a wood mounted stamp large enough in the dollar bin, buy a one, or a large lot if you want extras, of ugly, cheap wood mounted rubber stamps from a thrift store, rummage sale, or from someone on eBay. Follow directions above.