When most people think of rubber stamps and color, they
immediately associate a traditional stamp pad with a dye
based ink. Today, however, there are many alternative
creative ways people have used their rubber stamps with
many different types of colorants to achieve totally
unique textures, and work with very specific surfaces
while creating very special projects. Here are just a
few unique colorants you could use with your rubber
stamps.
Acrylic Paint: One of the frequently asked questions
from rubber stampers wanting to use their rubber stamps
for interior decorating is whether or not rubber stamps
can be used with paint. Anyone who has already used
their rubber stamps with paint knows that it is the
perfect colorant for walls, tin cans, cloth gift bags,
and fabric to name just a few. Water-based acrylic
paints are the best for rubber stamps since they can be
easily thinned with water, and will wash from the rubber
stamps easily. Rubber stamps with intricate, tight
designs will need thinner paints, while stamps with
bold, solid designs work best with a thick acrylic
paint. You can apply the paint to the stamp using a
simple foam brush. Practice stamping with paint on a
test area before using on walls or a permanent surface.
Watercolors: Do you remember the paint by number kits
that came with the 8 shade watercolor tray? You'll be
surprised to find out that those simple watercolor trays
are perfect to use with rubber stamps. (They're also
very cheap!) Watercolors provide dramatic effects with
rubber stamps, and can create totally unique images/.
They are perfect to use with pastel colored papers and
go well with any theme requiring soft hues. Another
alternative to paint brush applied watercolors is to wet
your rubber stamp surface with water and lightly pencil
(using the side, not the tip) over the rubber stamp with
watercolor pencils. Don't press too firmly or you may
damage the rubber stamp. If you prefer not to use
watercolors directly on the stamp, you can also use them
as a colorant after stamping with traditional ink.
Chalk: Often a favorite for antiquing scrapbook pages
and edges of cards, chalk can also be a wonderful way to
add color to your rubber stamps. The easiest way to
apply chalk to a stamp is by using a cotton ball, Q-tip,
or foam applicator. You can find a wide range of chalk
colors in your local craft and hobby store. They are
often color coordinated in "pie shaped" containers.
Metallic Pigments: Resembling the texture of lipstick,
these brilliant metallic pigments provide a shiny
metallic image and can be used directly on the stamp or
applied to your stamped image after you have stamped it
on your surface. You can use any makeup applicator to
apply these pigments directly to the stamp or use a
sponge to dab them on the surface of your image.
Pigment powder: Pigment powder looks much like blush and
can be applied much the same way to the rubber stamp.
You can use pigment powder with glue, ink, and paint to
produce a brilliantly shiny texture and surface. It can
also provide a beautiful blended gradient to shade your
image.
Walnut Ink: Traditionally used to wash papers, antique
surfaces, and stain paper and fabric, this dye is
available in a liquid, powder, or ink form. You will
find it in the scrapbooking and stamping section of your
local craft and hobby store. Check the label to make
sure that it will not permanently stain your rubber
stamps or harm the stamp itself.
Markers: Often thought of as a child's tool for
creativity, markers make wonderful colorants for rubber
stamps. For intricately designed rubber stamp scenes,
you can color the rubber stamp with a marker before
stamping it. Water-based markers can also be softened
using a color blender pen or a lightly damp paint brush
or foam brush. Markers are a perfect colorant for rubber
stamping because they are very inexpensive and often
come in large color coordinated packs. Storing your
markers properly will allow you to use them for years to
come.
Whether you're stamping fabric, paper, tin, plaster, or
clay, you'll be amazed at the wide variety of colorants
that you can use with your rubber stamps. Before using
any new colorants with rubber stamps you'll need to read
the instructions and make sure that it can be cleaned
from the rubber stamp easily. Let your creativity run
wild and you'll quickly find hundreds of new colorants
to use with your rubber stamps, making your projects
truly unique!
