Stamping

Type of Stamps

Store bought Mixed Media stamps are typically made of rubber or clear silicon or even wood. They come in a multitude of designs. These stamps can be used with a variety of media, including ink, paints, and embossing powder, to create interesting textures and patterns in mixed media projects.

Clear silicone stamps are best used with an acrylic block where the flat stamps adhere to when lifting off the surface.

Carved Stamps and Tools

The most common options are rubber carving blocks and linoleum blocks. Rubber carving blocks are widely available and are a good choice for beginners as they are much easier to work with. In my mind, they work equally well or even better for Mixed Media Projects as linoleum. Another easy way to create your own stamp is using craft foam. Once your shape is cut, it’s best to glue it onto a piece of cardboard to lift the thin foam stamp off from your background.

Carving tools specifically designed for stamp making are essential. These tools often come in sets and include various tips for cutting and shaping your stamp. The most basic cutting tool is a cutter with a few interchangeable cutting heads. This works best for beginners. Better quality sets contain individual cutters with a different blade and better, more comfortable handles. They are definitely the better tools for lino cutting.

Linoleum Cuts

I had started out with linoleum carving because this was the only material for that purpose I had heard of up to that point. Linoleum blocks are harder to carve and are mostly used by professional printing artists. The linoleum stamps dry out over time and are harder to use, but can be used to give a more “vintage” or professional printing look to your projects.

The image depicts a lino print along with the carved stamp.

Gel Prints and Fabric

Stamps, when pressed carefully, can also be used to create a 3D effect on a gel plate which will result in a nice pattern on the print. And of course, they can be directly pressed on to an already created gel print to add more layers and texture.

Stamps along with the right medium, like ink or fabric paint, will also create a nice pattern on a piece of plain cotton fabric.