2 cards made using the stamp platform pictured with distress oxide inks
Stamping Platform
Stamper? Want to be stamper? Part-time stamper? Obsessive stamper? If you have more than 6 clear cling stamps or rubber backed stamps (not wooden) you should have a Stamp Platform period. This is a game changer. There are a few different ones out on the market, however I only have experience with the Tim Holtz brand and it is AHHMAAZING. I am sure the other ones are awesome also, but I stick to what I know. This platform is amazing for a few reasons and I will tell you why! At the end of my post I will upload a video showing you the platform in action for your viewing pleasure.
Layering Inks and Images
Have you ever inked up your stamp and plopped it down with a poor image quality? Usually it is because the ink was not distributed evenly on the stamp or the pressure was uneven when you put it to paper. The #1 most amazing thing about the stamp platform is that you can ink up your stamp and stamp in the same exact place as many times as you need to. The platform keeps the stamp and paper in the exact same place every time. It makes it possible to layer ink on top of each other, make super rich images, and purposely rearrange your stamps for multi-layering effects with precision. In the demo that I made I used distress oxide inks. I do not always use distress oxide for stamping, but they are still new to me and I am using them on every project that I can at the moment. They are on my brain and I am always thinking of things that I want to try with them. All inks and mediums that go well with stamps work with the platform.
Little bit of Information
The platform top is acrylic so all of your stamps stick to the top lid. The lid takes the place of your acrylic blocks that are typically used with rubber and clear cling stamps. There are 2 sides to the acrylic top. One side says CLEAR and the other side says RUBBER. The top pops out when in the 90 degree position and you just change it around. The platform comes with 2 magnets that hold your paper in place, these are powerful magnets and they do an awesome job at keeping your paper secure. You will actually place the stamp with the correct side on the paper where you want it to go. Then when you close your lid it picks up the stamp and you apply the ink when it is attached to the lid. Apply the ink, then shut the lid again, apply more ink shut the lid again. You can also add all of the stamps that you want at one time. I like doing a little at a time because I will layer and layer until I have a very busy full image.
Regardless this is an absolute neccesity for someone that would be using stamps on a consistent basis. I use this to place sentiments in an exact spot on a project or card. You can monogram with it, I add my kids names to things with it. I love it. Please check out the video! I used Hampton Art Flower Stamp Set in the video.
Video example:
