This is an update to my original post of 2014 in which I shared my favorite stamping products (at the time). Since that post, some of my favorites have changed. These are my current favorite stamping products as of August, 2015.
Favorite Stamp Companies
Photo Polymer stamps are still my faves but some of the newer stamp manufacturers that I have grown to love over the past year include:
- Altenew
- The Ton
- Mama Elephant
- Clearly Besotted
Still on my favorites list are:
- Lawn Fawn
- My Favorite Things
- WPlus9 (they have come out with some really great sets this year!)
- Hero Arts (will probably always be a fave of mine!)
- and many more!
Stamping Products
Hero Arts Ultra Clean/Stewart/Superior Stamp Cleaner
I bought the ultra clean in a small bottle and loved it so much that I ended up ordering a HUGE bottle of it for refills. This stamp cleaner is brilliant! Gets all the stains off of my clear and rubber stamps, even the ones that have been stained for a long time! There is something in the stamp cleaner that conditions your stamps as well, I can’t say enough about this product.
Stewart Superior Stamp Cleaner (Same thing as Hero Arts Ultra Clean) 8 oz Refill Bottle
Stewart/Superior Stewart Superior Double Stamp Scrubber
I use this stamp scrubber to clean stamps that need an extra deep cleaning. (meaning ones that don’t come clean with my absorber or a baby wipe). Specifically, any stamps that are stained and need stamp cleaner, I use with this scrubber. It works like a charm and is much better quality than ones I’ve tried in the past.
Kirkland Unscented Baby Wipes – 900 ct
This is what I use when I am in a hurry or have a stamp that doesn’t need a heavy duty cleaning. You can get them at Costco, or online at Amazon.
The Absorber Synthetic Drying Chamois, 27″ x 17″, Natural
When I’m doing repeat stamping, I use my absorber because it cleans the ink off of the stamps fast. If I’m using an ink that stains stamps, I use ultra clean and a scrubber. Otherwise, it’s baby wipes or my absorber. I cut a small square about 4×4 and keep it in small container and keep it damp. That way it’s on my desk and available anytime I’m stamping.
Stamp Placement
I don’t need this often because I mostly stamp with clear stamps but when I use my cling rubber stamps, I use my EK Success Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Fiskars 3×5 Inch Compact Stamp Press
This is undoubtedly one of my most used tools when it comes to stamping. I LOVE my stamp press. It’s like an acrylic block on steroids LOL It makes stamping easy!
Apple Pie Memories Acrylic Stamping Blocks
Acrylic blocks are mostly the same, so the brand doesn’t really matter. There are some brands that are thicker than others, so it’s all personal choice. However, I use Apple Pie Memories most often because of the selection of sizes and great prices.
EK Success Embossing Powder Tool
This tool is a must have for embossing. You use it to prepare your paper for stamping with embossing ink. It controls the static cling and keeps the embossing powder from sticking to places it should stick! For clean embossing, always use a powder tool!
Milwaukee/Hero Arts Embossing Heat Tool
All heat tools are NOT made the same. This is by far, the best quality heat tool I’ve ever owned. Unfortunately, it is not currently available (but check often because I’m sure it will come back in stock!).
Uchida Embossing Heat Tool
UPDATE: Because the Milwaukee/Hero Arts Embossing Heat Tool is not available at the moment, I wanted to provide you with an alternative so I’m posting my other favorite heat tool for you. My best friend Maciana has this one by Uchida and I used it when I was at her house crafting recently and I was shocked to find that it heats up even faster than mine! It worked like a dream! If I had to buy another one, this is the one I’d get!
Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder
This is the only brand embossing powder I use. I always get the “fine detail” type because it embosses into a smooth finish without the bumps you get with other powders. It comes in many different colors but my most frequently used colors are clear and white.
This is a very sticky ink that takes a long time to dry which allows stampers time to use embossing powder to heat emboss their stamped images. This is my favorite embossing ink.
Sistema Klip It 3 by 6.7-Ounce Containers, 3-Pack, Clear
This is what I use to store my embossing powders in. I got the idea from Jennifer McGuire. They are the perfect size and I also use the clips and small spoons that she recommends. (shown below).
You stick one of these clips on the inside of the storage container’s lid and it holds your small spoons perfectly. No more digging through embossing powder to get your spoon!
Speaking of Spoons – Here are the spoons I use..Mini Plastic Tasting Spoons And Ice Cream Spoons
Product List
Thank you for all the suggestions. I am going to keep these in mind next time I go shopping!
Thank you for posting the differences between acrylic and photopolymer. I agree with your assessments of the stamped image quality.