Rubber Stamp Care 📖

Rubber Stamp Care Guide

A little care will keep your favourite stamp printing beautifully.

My original designs are made into rubber stamps by Minna no Hanko Kobo in Japan.
Here is how to use and care for them.

Stamping tips

How to get a crisp impression

Tap on a light coat of ink

Do not press the stamp hard into the ink pad. Hold the pad above the stamp and tap it lightly over the rubber until the surface is evenly covered.

Press straight down

Work on a flat surface. Set the stamp gently on the paper, apply even pressure across the whole design and hold it still for a few seconds.

Lift it straight up

Moving the stamp sideways can blur or double the lines. Hold the paper in place and lift the stamp vertically when you are done.

Smooth, flat paper works best for designs with fine details.

Daily care

After each use

1Stamp several times on scrap paper to remove as much leftover ink as possible.
2If the surface still looks dirty, gently dab it with an alcohol-free wet wipe or a soft cloth dampened with water.
3For ink or dust in fine grooves, lightly press a kneaded eraser against the rubber. Do not pull at delicate lines.

For stubborn ink

Use a stamp cleaner made for the type of ink you used. Avoid alcohol and paint thinner, which may damage the rubber. Do not scrub hard or catch the fine parts of the design.

Water care

If you rinse the stamp

Keep the wooden mount out of the water

If rinsing is necessary, gently wash only the rubber surface. Soaking the wooden mount can make it warp or cause the layers to separate.

Blot away the moisture and leave the stamp to air-dry fully out of direct sunlight. Do not speed up drying with a hair dryer or other heat.

Storage

Safe storage

Keep away from direct sunlight and heat
Store in a dry, well-ventilated place
Remove ink and moisture before putting it away
Never leave it in a hot car or beside a heater

Is staining on the rubber a problem?

Some inks leave a colour stain even after cleaning. The stamp is still fine to use if no wet ink transfers from the surface. Before switching to a pale colour, test it on scrap paper first.

Eraser Stamp Care