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Reported by: Jessica Diedrich
Even if you're brand new to the stamping world, you are probably well aware that this "ain't your Grandmother's rubber!" There are tons of different varieties of rubber, polymer and the like on the market nowadays, and many of these choices vary greatly from the traditional, wood-mounted rubber stamps. You can find die-cut, mounted, unmounted, unmounted with cling, uncut rubber...the possibilities seem endless, and can sometimes be confusing.
Unlike their traditional, wood-mounted counterparts, this new breed of stamps pack one big advantage: being able to use them with clear acrylic blocks makes it easier to see where you're stamping. In fact, this technique has become SO popular recently, that enthusiasts are finding ways to convert their older wooden stamps into unmounted ones that are ready to go with the acrylic blocks. This is achieved by converting them with a special material that helps them "cling" to the blocks and store away from them when not in use.
Unlike their traditional, wood-mounted counterparts, this new breed of stamps pack one big advantage: being able to use them with clear acrylic blocks makes it easier to see where you're stamping. In fact, this technique has become SO popular recently, that enthusiasts are finding ways to convert their older wooden stamps into unmounted ones that are ready to go with the acrylic blocks. This is achieved by converting them with a special material that helps them "cling" to the blocks and store away from them when not in use.
There are a few different products out there to try. The three that I think have been the most popular are EZ Mount by Sunday International, Aleene's Tack it Over and Over Again glue, and SeeD's Cling Unmounted/Wood Mounted Conversion Kit for Rubber Stamps.
A great value at under ten dollars, I chose to pick up the SeeD's kit at my local Michael's (editor's note: I have scoured the internet looking for an online source and have come up empty. SeeD's was recently bought by Darice, which may have affected their distribution channels).
The kit comes with 4 clear plastic storage cases, just a tad longer than my CD cases I store some of my clear stamps in. In fact, it will fit in some CD case holders/towers. It also comes with 8 sheets of cling material and 8 cardboard inserts that are coated smooth on both sides to allow for the stamps to cling to them when not in use.
The instructions are right on the box. They were a bit vague in my opinion but easy enough to get started. There was also information on how to microwave wood-mounted stamps individually for 10 seconds and then apply this cling to convert them to unmounted stamps. I chose to try them out first with some unmounted rubber I've been really wanting to use. The cling has two sides; a "permanent" side that adheres to the stamp, and the cling side that you can re-use over and over on acrylic blocks.
To begin mounting the stamps, you place the stamp over the cling sheet (before backing is removed) and just trim around the stamp as best you can to try and shape it.
Once trimmed, the backing on the permanent side (the side with the SeeD's logo) can be removed and the permanent backing can be placed on the stamp. I trimmed mine a bit more after adhereing.
Pros:
What have you tried to convert your stamps? Any suggestions or advice to make this product work better for me? Leave a comment and let me know! Thanks so much for reading! Enjoy the upcoming holidays!
A great value at under ten dollars, I chose to pick up the SeeD's kit at my local Michael's (editor's note: I have scoured the internet looking for an online source and have come up empty. SeeD's was recently bought by Darice, which may have affected their distribution channels).
The kit comes with 4 clear plastic storage cases, just a tad longer than my CD cases I store some of my clear stamps in. In fact, it will fit in some CD case holders/towers. It also comes with 8 sheets of cling material and 8 cardboard inserts that are coated smooth on both sides to allow for the stamps to cling to them when not in use.
The instructions are right on the box. They were a bit vague in my opinion but easy enough to get started. There was also information on how to microwave wood-mounted stamps individually for 10 seconds and then apply this cling to convert them to unmounted stamps. I chose to try them out first with some unmounted rubber I've been really wanting to use. The cling has two sides; a "permanent" side that adheres to the stamp, and the cling side that you can re-use over and over on acrylic blocks.
To begin mounting the stamps, you place the stamp over the cling sheet (before backing is removed) and just trim around the stamp as best you can to try and shape it.
Once trimmed, the backing on the permanent side (the side with the SeeD's logo) can be removed and the permanent backing can be placed on the stamp. I trimmed mine a bit more after adhereing.
The stamp mounted easily and securely on the acrylic block. However, after only a few uses, some of the stamps lost their cling completely. I was surprised that this occured only after a few uses. Also after a few uses, the backing seemed to start to peel off the rubber stamp.
Eventually, there were a few stamps that I had to completely re-do. I was sort of surprised that this happened on more than one occasion because the box said that you could re-use it "over and over" again.
Eventually, there were a few stamps that I had to completely re-do. I was sort of surprised that this happened on more than one occasion because the box said that you could re-use it "over and over" again.
The other thing I noticed was that the cling began to warp and wrinkle on the back of several of my stamps as well. I mounted and stored them exactly as directed and I was disappointed by this.
One thing that a few people have asked me was if there was any compromise in the image quality because the cling is not on any type of foam material, it's just a flat surface. Although I don't believe so, it was a bit hard to get used to without there being any foam attached to the sticky material. Just like polymer stamps, the image isn't any different, though.
Pros:
- Very reasonably priced at $9.99 (USD) in most stores
- A great way to convert wooden stamps into unmounted for use w/ acrylic blocks
- Comes with its own storage system which is great
- No real staying power in the cling material; took re-application long before I expected it to
- No foam surface between the rubber and the cling
- A bit tricky to get used to using in terms of hand-trimming and mounting without much instruction
What have you tried to convert your stamps? Any suggestions or advice to make this product work better for me? Leave a comment and let me know! Thanks so much for reading! Enjoy the upcoming holidays!
8 Comments:
I too was disappointed in the SeeD's Cling. I have used some repositionable adhesive on a couple of rubber stamps and it worked ok but I am looking for a more permanent solution. Hope someone reads this blog and lets us know about something that will work.
Nice review!
AND....
I ***REALLY**** wish someone here on this site would review one of those "SLICE" machines!
Thanks for your input, Irene! I am still looking and will let you know if I find anything I love.
Thanks Nevis! We will let our editors know about the Slice request. I know it's brand new but I'm sure it'll be reviewed soon!
Thanks ladies!
Thanks again for helping us not spend money needlessly!!
i personally really like the EZ Mount. It doesn't leave adhesive on your acrylic blocks, and as long as the cling side is clean, it sticks to the block wonderfully. It comes in thick cushion and thin, too, the latter being perfect for tiny stamps.
Thanks for this review!
I appreciate the review....I have many rubber stamps that are as yet unmounted and would love to find a solution that works and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. What do you know about the Aleene product?
I was excited when I read the first part of the review, thinking of the possibilities of demounting some of my wood stamps to save space. But then I was sad that the product didn't live up to your expectations! I would love to see a review of the other two products mentioned - Aleene's and EZ Mount.
I converted all my rubber stamps to the EZ Mount System. It was a little time consuming, but quite easy to convert the many wood mounted ones. Place them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and they peel right off their wood mounts. I use the Original EZ Mount Cling Foam for some stamps, and the EZ Thin Mount for others. The choice depends on the size of the stamp and whether it already has a cushion (like Stampin Up). Place the back of your stamp onto the stickiest side of the foam. It can be trimmed with scissors, but an inexpensive hot knife (purchased from Michaels w/a coupon) makes the job much easier. Simply hold the hot blade parallel to your trimmed stamp and run it around the edges. QUICK, cuts like butter, and NO scissor fatigue. Then I store the stamps on the EZ Mount Storage Panels. They cling to the panels and to acrylic blocks when stamping. I originally stored my panels in large 3-ring binders but now store them in bins. I use the fabric pop up kind from Target but any sturdy bin of appropriate size would do. This makes them easy to flip through to find the needed stamp.
I store my clear acrylic stamps on the same EZ Mount Panels. They cling to the panels just like they cling to acrylic blocks. I store the clear and rubber stamps in separate bins, then store the bins protected from light and dust.
I have used this system for a year or so and love it. I have not had the EZ Mount Foam peel off of any stamps nor lose its cling. Previous to the EZ Mount System I had tried several other storage methods and none of them worked for me. I hope my experience helps others.
And NO, I am not in any way associated with EZ Mount nor do I receive any compensation for recommending their products.
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