Tips to take care of stamps

Craft stamps are a huge investment. If not taken care of appropriately, they can wear away with time. Here are some tips to help you take care of your stamps:

Some Stamps I Love

Storage:

• Store your stamps in cool places. Avoid direct exposure to sun and high temperatures.
• Avoid storing stamps in colander or wicker baskets so that stamps are not pressing against each other or metal as this can leave dents on the stamp and affect stamping.
• DVD cases are a great alternative to store stamps. 
• You can use clear sleeves/ pockets available in stationary stores to store your stamps if their packaging wears away.
• Use shallow cartons or tote to store your stamps upright or hang them if possible.

Cleaning:

• Always clean the stamps before putting them away after use. Stamp off any access ink on your stamp on a scrap paper.
• If using water based ink to stamp, wipe the stamps with a moist cloth.
• If using permanent ink to stamp, use a stamp cleaning solution to clean the stamps. Make sure to remove any cleaning solution from the stamp before putting them away.
• If using Stazon ink, use Stazon cleaner to remove the ink. 
• Never scrub your stamp hard to remove any inks as it can damage the design of the stamp.
• Always let the stamp dry completely before storing them away. 
• Chamois cloth available in car accessory stores is a great, economical alternative to baby wipes to clean stamps.

Conditioning & Reconditioning:

• Many a times, new stamps dont stamp well at 1st go. Try stamping them with VersaMark or an Embossing ink for the 1st time on a rough paper before using your pigment/ dye inks for stamping. This conditions the stamps & most of the times is effective when using a new stamp.
• Rubber stamps tend to become hard with time. You could apply a thin layer of glycerin and leave the stamp aside to dry to condition the stamp if it starts to dry. 
• If your photo polymer stamps lose their stickiness, wash them with mild soap and water and let them self-dry. They will get back their stickiness.

These are some few tips to help take care of your stamps. If you have any more tips & tricks, please leave them in your comment and I shall add it to the list.