Usage Tips & Tricks

Caring For Your Stamps

For the best results, always clean your stamps thoroughly after each use. If clay is embedded in the stamp’s cavity, press a scrap piece of clay on that area to remove. For stubborn clay deposits, bake the stamp at 265ºF for several minutes. Once the stamp is cool, pick out the partially cured clay with a toothpick or needle tool. For surface residue left after using clay or powders, wipe with a baby wipe or scrub with a stiff bristled brush and dish soap.

When working with inks and paints, dab the stamp with a baby wipe immediately after use to remove the majority of the residue. Then dab with a solvent based stamp cleaner and blot with a clean baby wipe until the surface is clean. Repeat as necessary. For very stubborn staining, start with a generous dab of cleaner onto the stamp and allow it to stand for several minutes. Follow by scrubbing with a stiff bristle brush and dish soap. 

We have created these texture stamps in an unmounted form to maximize the ease of handling and application on curved surfaces. If you prefer to have a mounted stamp, you can purchase clear acrylic mounting sets at any rubber stamp and craft store. The following tips and techniques will ensure many years of creativity with your stamps.

Highlight your stamped clay with Lisa Pavelka’s Signature Series Craft Foils, Mica Powders, paints, ink pads, Inka-Gold or Gilders Paste.

For an antique look, first stamp and bake your clay. Then rub paint into the recessed areas and wipe or sand away the excess after the paint has dried (use 1000 grit sand paper).

To obtain an embossed gilded effect, add clay foil or leafing to a thicker sheet of clay. Place stamp face down over clay and roll once with acrylic rod using firm pressure When stamping on clay or paper, press or glue flat back Swarovski® Crystals or heat set nail heads in corners.

To prevent clay from sticking to the stamp and the acrylic clay rod, spray a release agent such as Armor All™ or STP Son-of-a-Gun™ over both sides and the top layer of clay and spread with your finger. Only a little of this is needed and will not affect the clay during baking. Excess release agent can be cleaned off with a baby wipe.

Use strips of stamped clay or paper to create a variety of decorative borders for your scrapbooks, keepsake boxes, greeting cards, etc.

In this video, Lisa Pavelka talks about how to care for her rubber stamps.  She mentions baking them.  This will also work with Christi Friesens stamps but may not work with other brands.