Yesterday I shed some light on the world of un-mounted stamping. I briefly explained how to use the un-mounted rubber stamps with your acrylic blocks. Today I plan to go in to more detail. I am a huge fan of Stamping Bella stamps, and for the first little while I used the rubber only with double sided tape and my acrylic blocks. Then I placed my first order for EZ-Mount foam. I was blown away by the difference in my stamped image. It was much darker and even. I quickly mounted all my Bellas with it, and keep many sheets on hand for other rubber only stamp images.
EZ-Mount foam comes in sheets of 8.5 by 11 and also now comes in a thinner black version. Along with the original grey sheets, they are super sticky on the one side and clingy on the other. Once you get your rubber and place it on the super sticky side, you will need to trim it out. You can use scissors, and I love the Kai brand, but have heard rave reviews about Tim Holtz’s new scissors. Simply trim out around the rubber and you are ready to use. You can also use a Kraft Hot Knife to trim around the rubber.
Mounting to the EZ-Mount foam is only done the one time, and your Bella’s or other rubber stamps are ready to cling to your blocks anytime and stamp away. No other need for a cushion. Once again, if you notice they are not clinging so well, simply wash with soap and water and let dry.
A sheet or EZ-Mount foam will last you through at least 8 or 9 Bella images and maybe more of smaller images. These sheets retail for about $4.00 each.
Supplies: Wreathabella, Stamping Bella; cardstock, designer papers, ribbons - Stampin' Up!
Saving space was a primary focus when the call for un-mounted stamps arose. Most crafters are using their family room or bedrooms as a craft space and wood mounted stamps do take up a lot of room. Sets like those from Close to my Heart come in a plastic case and the company also offers a hard box to store multiple sets in. Other companies like Gina K send their sets in metal DVD-like containers, while Papertrey Ink sends their sets in plastic CD cases. Both of these options take up little space. Sets from companies like these, range from $15 to $20, depending on the size of the sets. Wood mounted sets comparable to those sets listed would be well over $30.
Other companies like that of my favorite Stamping Bella, sell only the one image for around $7. I have talked to many customers on their storage solutions and many of those opt for using their own CD jewel cases for their rubber stamps mounted on EZ-Mount foam. New companies, like Little Monkey's Stamp Storage, are also popping up creating line of storage solutions for un-mounted stamps.
In today’s market, crafter’s are watching their pocketbooks and knowing that by using un-mounted stamps saves them money and they are more likely to purchase more. They also enjoy the extra space. While I still love my wood mounted stamps, I am hooked on the un-mounted, space saving way as well. I hope you enjoyed our 2-Part series and most of your questions or concerns were answered. However, we love to hear your input and would even like to see some of your ideas for un-mounted stamp storage. Leave us a comment.
4 comments:
BTW - don't buy this in bulk and let it sit around awhile. I loved this stuff so bought extra sheets for future stamps - when I pulled it out again it had become really messy (the adhesive went all runny) and it was impossible to cut in that condition, moreover it didn't adhere to the stamps either. So while I love this product I'd never, ever buy more than I needed.
Great tips here. One thing to remind newbies about it when using EZMount NOT to store on acetate clear sheets as after time the EZMount tends to adhere to it adn comes off. I since read warnings about using acetate clear sheets form suppliers. I found that laminated sheets were OK.
My big concern is that I have a ton of un-mounted SU stamps and am worried that if I use the acrylic blocks with these that they will adhere to the blocks TOO well making it difficult to get them off, or possible causing the foam back to degrade over time....HELP!!!
I have been thinking about buying some Bella stamps because I love their images. You have kind of discouraged me though. I don't want to have to go out and buy something else to put them on. I have a good amount of clear stamps with the clear blocks. I was planning on using the Bella's on those. All this extra buying and mounting etc. seems to me like they should make it work great right when you buy it.
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