THIS IS AN OUTDATED BLOG POST – TO SEE HOW I STORE MY STAMPS NOW (2017, PLEASE CLICK HERE)
Choosing a New Stamp Storage System: From CD Cases to Customized Storage Pockets
As you may know, I have stored my stamps like this for several years now and it’s worked great up until now. I have noticed over the last year or two that the cd cases I’ve bought have been breaking easier and more often. When I open the cd case, the hinges pop out and the quality just seems sub-par. I have purchased them from several different manufacturers so I don’t think it’s any one company…or perhaps they are old and just not holding up anymore. I don’t know for sure but what I do know is that it has been driving me crazy.
So over the past six months or so I’ve contemplated long and and hard on how I want to store my stamps going forward. I’m not keen on the most popular stamp storage methods because of the set up of my craft room.
My craft room contains several four drawer cubes from Michaels/JetMax and all of my stamps (in cd cases) fit in there perfectly. I do have some larger stamp sets that I store in Plastic DVD Cases w/out the Hub, and my the majority of my unmounted rubber stamps are stored in the Crafter’s Companion EZMount Binders, but 95% of my stamps are in those cubes.
For that reason, I needed to keep my new storage system the same size as my current cd cases. I have tried several different storage pockets/sleeves and have researched all possible products and this is what I’ve come up with.
These are the main supplies I used when creating my new stamp storage:
- Although I ultimately decided to use the ever popular Avery Elle Stamp & Die Storage Pockets, they are not the right size for my storage cubes so I am altering them to fit my storage. I also don’t care for the flap on the pockets either so cutting them down kills two birds with one stone, so to speak. I ended up deciding to cut my storage pockets down so that they measure 5 1/2″ tall. So the final measurement for my stamp storage pockets is 5- 5/8″ wide and 5 1/2″ tall.
- Next I use my WRMK Thumb Notch Punch (no longer sold – you can use a circle punch and just punch half of the circle out or you can use this Half Moon Punch) to create a little “handle area” so I can grab a hold of my stamp storage card easily and pull it out.
- I am still going to store my stamp son the Crafter’s Companion CD Jewel Case Storage Panels, only I’ll store them inside of my pockets rather than cd cases.
This is what my empty stamp storage pockets look like after I’ve cut them down to size and punched out the notch.
- Next, I create an index card/sheet. I either cut up the printed acetate, print out an image of the stamp set from google, or I will or stamp the images in my stamp sets on 5″ x 5″ sheets of cheap cardstock (*Georgia Pacific Cardstock from Walmart*).
- Next, I add a little adhesive to the front of each stamped/printed index sheet and slide it in the front and back of the storage pocket and make sure it’s secure.
- Next, I take the same stamp storage card (this one) that held my stamps in my cd cases and slide them into the storage pocket, in between the front and back index sheet.
All that’s left to do is to label the stamp storage pockets. Everybody I know uses their label makers to label their pockets but I have so many stamp sets to label that it would cost a FORTUNE in label tape to do that so I decided to purchase these Avery Easy Peel Return Address Labels for Inkjet Printers, 0.5 x 1.75 Inches, White, Pack of 2000 (08167)and print mine using Microsoft Word. It’s only 6.99 for 2000 labels so you can see how much money I saved by using these labels to label my stamp storage pockets!
Here are what one of my new stamp storage pockets looks like all filled up and labeled.
This is a photo of one of the four drawers of my stamp storage cubes (from Michaels) filled with stamps
Evernote Stamp Storage Inventory/Notebook: As I was reorganizing my stamps, I also updated my online/electronic stamp inventory database on Evernote. If you’d like to see my stamp collection in its glory, click here. If you’d like to learn how to create one of these notebooks for your own stamp collection, click here.
If you have any questions about my new stamp storage solution, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment and I’ll get back to you asap.
I found Memorex CD envelopes at an office supply store. I think Walmart carries them also. They measure 5″ square. I think they might be cheaper than Avery Elle & you won’t have to take the time to cut them down. They are sturdy plastic.
I use those cd envelopes to store my die cuts but I prefer the thickness and quality of the avery elle pockets for my stamps because they get a lot of wear and tear but thank you for your comment
What about dvd cases will they ruin you stamps? Do you need to cut a sheet to place inside?
It depends on the case and what it’s made of. I’l update the blog post to include links to some safe ones for you
It depends on what they are made of. I will edit the blog post to include some links to safe ones for you
Here you go. Use coupon code: http://checkoutstore.refr.cc/PR6NR4C at http://www.checkoutstore.com/Clear-Storage-Cases-14mm-for-Rubber-Stamps-No-Tabs-p/clrcasersnc.htm
Interesting concept for stamps. A majority of my stamps are from Close To My Heart, in their opaque envelopes. I tried to find some zipper bags for them, but I ended up abandoning that idea for now and just keep them in the envelopes. I have 6 containers from CTMH (the large size storage container) which hold my stamps. I arranged them in specific categories that work with the way I think. Each container is labled on top (the hinged lid), the front and one side. So no matter how I store the container, I will see what is where.
As far as my die sets go, I did decide to go with something other than the expensive Avery Elle storage pockets. I found 6″ x 8″ 4mil closable bags (zip type)…They work very well and the wafer thin dies work great in them.
Yes, I have them all on my Evernote. I love that I can start a note, and attach a picture I can take right then and there. Now all I have to do is work on the TAGS!!! It’s great that I have it on my phone, my Kindle and my computer. I really enjoy the program now that I know how it works.
Love this. I’ve been following Totally Tiffany’s ideas for organizing and love the ideas you shared here and in your other evernote posts. Thank you.
Kat,
Thanks so much for your info on using Evernote. Your tutorial is the mist precise and yet easy to follow tutorial I’ve found. Appreciate your hard work and generosity in sharing.
Elaine Allen
THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!
I was just lamenting “there’s GOT to be a better way!!” I realized my storage cases, as much as I love their sturdiness, was such a waste of real estate in my craft room–especially on Tilda/Edward stamps (they only need about 3.5″x3.5″ on average. Amazingly, i’ve begun using some of the Avery Elle sleeves but have been disappointed in that I have to pull every sleeve out to see what i’ve put inside. I 
the idea of stampingva piece of cardstock for a quick view and indexing/labeling. Serendipity!! (I had just searched for 14mm clear no hub storage cases and your article popped up)
My sweet husband also had an ingenious solution as well… After stamping the cardstock to use on the front of the envelope to preview the contents, if it’s larger than needed, scan it, reduce the size and reprint! I may have just reclaimed 50% of my shelving!!!