I love stamping. There is just something about putting a stamp to ink and then to paper and getting a pretty image! Layered stamping is my fave! Anyway, there are lots of products and tools that make stamping easier and these are my favorites! If you are interested in stamp storage and organization, that’s another post – click here—>
Stamping Tools
I have two favorite stamping tools that are available for purchase. One being the Tim Holtz Travel Stamp Platform and the other being the Stampin’ Up Stamparatus. They are both a great size and work wonderfully.
I use the Stamparatus more when I’m using layered stamps because there are two stamping plates so you can put one layer on one and another layer on another and then stamp multiples. It’s great. I know that the Stamparatus was pre-sold to customers (that’s when I got mine) and now they aren’t being released until June (I believe) but if you get the chance to try this one out, I higly recommend it. You need to have a Stampin Up Demonstrator to order from I believe. If you don’t have one, here is the lady I order from. (No affiliation other than I’m a long time, happy customer)
The Tim Holtz Travel Platform is open on the ends which allows you to use larger paper if you want/need to and it’s simple to use. I really like it and reach for it when doing regular stamping that doesn’t involve layers. Although, you CAN use it with layered stamps, I just prefer the TH Platform for regular stamping because it’s quick and easy.
Acrylic Blocks
Everyone NEEDS acrylic blocks and I’ve been using the same for years, however I did add some new ones this year. I find that I need small and even tiny blocks sometimes for smaller images and sentiments. The smaller the block, the easier it is to stamp it exactly where you want it (in my opinion). I ended up finding and LOVING the Art Impressions Acrylic Block Set found at Kat Scrappiness. You get (2) 1.5″ square blocks and (3) 1″ square blocks. They are perfect for me!
The other acrylic blocks I use most often are the same as previous years, they are the Apple Pie Memories Blocks. I use two sizes the most and that is 2.5″ round and 3.5″ round. Some of the features I like about these blocks are the fact that they have a grid and finger grips. The grid helps me line up my stamp straight on the block and the finger grips make it easy to hold and handle the block when stamping.
Stamping Pad/Mat
When I’m stamping using blocks and not a stamping tool, I like to stamp on the Sizzix Stamper’s Secret Weapon – Stamping Mat/Stamping Pad. It is made of foam and it gives you a great impression because of the “give” of the foam. It now comes in two sizes and while I have both, I find that I use the small one more often unless I’m stamping a background stamp or something large. The small mat is 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and the larger is 12″ X 10 1/2″.
Stamp Care & Cleaning
Depending on what type of stamping I’m doing, I will use different products to clean and care for my stamps. When I’m stamping one or two items I will use a baby wipe or my Tidy Towel (stamp shammy) by Gina K. Designs.
I prefer the Tidy Towel over the other two brands I’ve used in the past because it feels more substantial, if that makes sense (like it will last longer over time) and because of the color. The Absorber and the Stamp Shammy by Lawn Fawn both worked well, but both are made of light colors and the ink stains looked terrible. I KNOW this doesn’t matter when it comes to the quality of your stamping because it’s just a stain, but I prefer not to see the mess if I can help it. LOL
The Kirkland Baby Wipes are the ones I prefer (they are sturdy and don’t leave lint behind), and they are available from Costco or Amazon.
Stamp Cleaner
My favorite stamp cleaner has always been Hero Arts Ultra Clean (aka Stewart Superior Ultra Clean), but I tried another brand this year that I like equally, maybe a “little” better because it smells better and that is the Inkon3 Ink Off Stamp Cleaner.
The Inkon3 Ink Off Stamp Cleaner. works as well as Ultra Clean but has a nice smell whereas Ultra Clean doesn’t’ smell as great. Not that you are going to go around sniffing your stamp cleaner, but if you are sensitive to that type of thing, it might matter. 
Stamp Shammy Holder
This is listed in the organizational section of this series, but I will copy and list it here as well since it is how I store my Tidy Towel. This is also a “carry-over” from last year’s Favorites list.
I use this salt cellar to keep my Tidy Towel clean and retain it’s moisture. I got the idea for this from Jennifer McGuire and it works so well it’s one of my favorite storage products now. It has a flip top so you just flip it open when you want to use the Tidy Towel and when you are finished, just flip it closed. This way it gets enough air that it doesn’t get smelly but stays moist for a few days at a time.
Stamp Scrubber
When I’m doing a lot of stamping OR stamping with multiple colors, I will use my stamp cleaner with this Stewart Superior Double Stamp Scrubber. I have had mine for several years and it’s still going strong. One side is removable so you can wash and rinse it. The other is glued on so you can’t really wash that side as well but I use that for the “dry” side and it rarely needs washing. One of the things I don’t like about it is the shape, but all the other brands are the same, so there’s not much I can do about that…yet…..
I am intrigued by a NEW stamp scrubber that is coming out soon by Nuvo but I don’t have it, so I can’t link to it or recommend it just yet. Two reasons I’m interested, one is the size, it’s a different shape than the standard scrubbers (Nuvo one is 7.25×7.25 inches and will be available in early June from Kat Scrappiness.com) and the other is that I love everything that Nuvo has made thus far! I’ll test it out for at least a few months and will try to remember to pop back in here and post an update once I can honestly say if I like it or not.
All of the (available) products mentioned in this post are listed and linked below for your convenience. Thanks for your support!
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