I vaguely remember making foam stamps years ago and I was not happy with the results. However, after more experimenting I think I may have a new love.
Working on fabric is a bit different than stamping on paper. Also, if you have a electronic cutter, you can also cut some of these stamps out with it. I’ll give the Brother ScanNCut settings later in the post.
If you’d like to see me demo these foam stamps, I appeared on WEHT Local Lifestyles this morning.
Here is a link to the video.
I think of these stamps as giving an “organic” print. If you are looking for perfect, these may not be what you want. However, some of my suggestions will help to get a good print.
Here is what you will need:
- Adhesive-backed craft foam
- Cardboard pieces
- Thick foam
- Glue
- Scissors
- Crafter’s Work Pad with printed Grid or mouse pad or other padded surface
- Stamp pads
If you want to print on fabric I suggest the following:
- Ranger Inkssentials Cut-N-Dry Stamp Pad Foam
- Fabric printing surface
- Fabric paint
- Brayer
- Fabric
- Gloves
Let’s get started. Gather thick foam, adhesive-backed foam, and cardboard.
Cut the thick foam and cardboard to size and glue together.
Now you’re ready to cut your design and add to the stamp base. This foam is real easy to cut. Since the adhesive-backed foam has paper on it, you can draw your design on the backing and cut it. Or like I do, just cut and add to your base. For these stamps, they do best with simple designs.
If you have a ScanNCut you can scan your drawings into the cutter, and use thin foam (without adhesive). Because there is no adhesive to the back of your design, you need to glue the design to the cardboard. Here are my settings: Deep Cut Blade 8, Speed 1, Pressure 7. Please do a test cut before you cut out the design. You might even start with less pressure and less blade so you don’t end up cutting up your mat. I could not get the adhesive-backed foam to work in my cutter.
When I made these stamps, I added the thick foam last. It’s really easier to make the stamp bases first, but either works.
For stamping on paper it is important to work on a foam stamp pad. Even an old mouse pad will work. This one is great with all of the lines on it (link above).
Once the glue dried, the stamps were ready to take on a test drive on paper. Add ink and stamp.
Here are the first images for these stamps.
A couple cards
Now let’s talk about printing on fabric. First you need a good printing surface. I cover mine with fabric that I can take off and wash when done.
I’ve tried using a brayer or a foam brush to spread a light film of fabric paint on the stamps. It really didn’t work well for me. I found this great stuff called Cut and Dry stamp pad foam (link above)Â where you add your own paint. It works much like a stamp pad. Add some fabric paint with either a brayer or a foam brush and you’re ready to stamp.
Here is one of the fabric pieces.
I also tried a different substrate. Instead of the foam and cardboard, I used Grafix clear craft plastic .007 thickness. I bought these for stencils, but they are too rigid. What is nice about using this plastic is you can see where you place the stamps on the paper or fabric. What is not nice about them is they are hard to handle.
I think I’d like a thicker plastic so it would be easier to hold on to. Adding a handle would help. Also, it might be good to use a thicker foam to prevent smudging.
Here are my tips for getting a clean image:
- Use a light touch when using the stamp pads.
- Smaller stamps seem to work better and are easier to control.
- Simpler designs work best.
- A thicker foam might even work better than what I used. I’ll try that in the future.
- Accept that you won’t have “perfect” images every time.
If you’ve made foam stamps, I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Great tut, Lynda! I have made stamps before, and used the plastic as my base. Took a great class in ’07 from Melly Testa. She suggested we get suction cups or wood knobs and attach for a handle. I have also used small pieces of square wood… will try to take pix and send to you when I get a minute. BTW, when you refer to thick foam, do you mean foam board, sponge foam or styrofoam?
Thanks Judy. Handles made out of duck tape would also work. I’d love to see a pic of those. The thick foam is just like the thin only thick! I did make one with foam core, but it’s too hard to cut.
Always FUN to see you on TV Lynda….very nice stamping tutorial. This is one we need to do for our Permission 2 Play classes. Many thanks for the inspiration.
LuAnn in Oregon
luannkessi.blogspot.com
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Thank you for this tutorial. I am so glad I am not the only one who has issues with getting the paint directly onto the stamp. Love the tip about the stamp pad foam and now have it on my Amazon wish list.
When I make stamps, I use foam core board as my base. It is found in dollar stores in large sheets that can be cut into desired sizes with a box cutter or exacto knife. For a handle I use a piece of duct tape folded together, but not all the way to the two ends of the tape so that the ends can be attached to the base. I hope that makes sense. Also, you can have 1/4 inch thick pieces of plexiglass cut to size with a saw and you can use the plastic suction cup hooks as a handle. These are sold in dollar and kitchen type stores. Just a couple of suggestions. I enjoy your blog!
LuAnn, Thanks! And so glad I can inspire you for a change!! Yes, it would be great for that group.
KJ, Thank you for stopping by. Yeah, I really like those stamp pads. In the past I have used my gelli plate as a stamp pad, but this works even better.
Janet, One of my stamps is on foam core. I found it hard to cut even though I have a foam core cutter! I was thinking about kids activities and didn’t want to go there but it did work for sure. It’s funny that you mention plexi. I was just thinking about that yesterday and started cutting out some thicker foam for it. I got plexiglass for dyeing and bought it at Lowe’s. They cut it to the sizes I wanted!! Those suction cup hooks? What a great idea!! I’ll be going to the dollar store to check that stuff out. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Another great adventure. Thanks for sharing.
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Luann, Thanks!!
I use Dura-Lar plastic to mount my adhesive-back foam stamps. Blue painters’ tape works for me to make a handle like Janet does with duct tape. Or … If you leave the plastic bigger than the stamp, you can bend the plastic at opposite ends to hold while you place the stamp. Then press and pull the ends to lift.
Janet, Great suggestions!! Thanks a bunch.