Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Converting Wood Mount Stamps to Clear Mount



Supplies, in addition to the stamp set being converted:
Small scissors
Tombow Multi Liquid Glue 
Small paint brush to apply glue
StazOn Black inkpad *
White tissue paper *
4 Gauge clear vinyl (found in fabric stores if you choose to not re-use the original clear sticker)


Carefully remove the stamps from the wood blocks by slowly peeling the stamp with the foam away from the block. If you find it does not peel easily you can place your wood block in the microwave in 10 second increments until the glue warms enough that you may easily peel the stamp away from the block. Please be cautious that the block does not become too warm and burn your hands. I always leave the foam attached to my stamps whereas some stampers will remove it or replace it with new foam. It is purely personal preference.


I prefer using the stickers on my stamps. There are 2 options for placing the image on the foam.
·      You can gently peel the clear sticker from the wood block or use StazON black ink to stamp the image on a piece of ordinary white tissue paper. Again this is personal preference.

  Original clear sticker peeled from the block
 Stamped image on plain tissue paper          
                           
 Apply a thin coat to Tombow Multi Liquid Glue then apply the original clear sticker or the stamped tissue paper to the gray foam. Trim the excess sticker or tissue.





         
I purchased a roll of 4 gauge clear vinyl from Joann’s, a 54” wide yard was only $2.99 and I had a 50% off coupon…that’s a lot of vinyl for $1.60 with tax! Cut a small piece to place over the tissue paper stamped image, this is what will make your stamp a clear mount.
     



     
The stamp on the left is the tissue paper stamped image with a piece of clear vinyl adhered with a thin layer of Tombow Multi Liquid Glue. The stamp on the right has the original Stampin’ Up! sticker adhered with a thin layer of Tombow. Trim the excess vinyl or sticker paper.
    



The final step is to apply a thin layer of the Tombow and let it dry which gives your stamp a repositionable bond to use on your clear acrylic blocks. I do this for all my clear mount stamps and I never have to worry about a stamp accidentally falling off a block while I am using it.