If you are new to stamping, this is how to label Stampin’ Up! ink pads! You might not have noticed (or forgot, like me!) that there are ink color labels on the bottom of each ink pad. They come in different languages, as do most things these days, but you can use more than your country’s name! It’s very handy and useful!

Peel off the whole color label piece.  Underneath you will find the directions for opening and closing your ink pad so you want that uncovered anyway, especially if you are new to stamping. Choose the label with the ink color in your language and stick that on the front of the ink pad as shown. It fits perfectly along that top edge. (One time I thought I had to fit the label on the shorter space underneath, I don’t know why!)

Then use the extra labels in the other languages to trim off the color ends and adhere those inside the ink pad in the little well in the front. Sometimes you can’t tell one ink pad color from another when you have several open, so this way, you can look inside and see the color from the labels. Very handy at times!

Then since you still have some labels left, use another one, to adhere to the bottom of the ink pad. Maybe not likely you will be looking under there, but just in case your ink pad gets turned over, you can see at a glance what color it is! And maybe you will also learn a foreign language while you are placing all the labels on your ink pads!

Here are the features of Stampin’ Up! ink pads!

“Classic Stampin’ Pads come in exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors, grouped in collections to take the guesswork out of product coordination. The innovative ink pad design has a patented flip-top lid and a firm foam pad to give you a superior stamping experience.

* Fast drying, dye-based ink
* Always Artichoke
* Acid free
* Flip top for upside-down storage: pads stay inked during storage
* Firm foam pad lasts longer than felt pads and provides exceptional ink coverage, especially with solid-image stamps
* Can be re-inked with matching Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills
* Coordinates with Stampin’ Up! cardstock, markers, and embellishments
* 3-1/2″ x 4-1/2″

Be sure to order an ink refill when you purchase an ink pad so you have one on hand. You can also use the ink refills for various techniques so they’re not just for reinking!

Now that you know how to label Stampin’ Up!  ink pads, I hope you will take the time and put the extra labels to good use!

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Sometimes we have trouble with the clear-mount stamps staying stuck on the acrylic block when we are stamping. The clear-mount stamps come with stickers to label them, but that covers up the foam meant to stick to the block. Some people remedy this by not applying the stickers at all to the stamp.  I have tried this but found I like having the sticker on there so I can remember what stamp I am using! It’s just what I am used to!

Here is one way to make your clear-mount stamps stick on the block better. If you want to use the stickers, kind of take a trip down memory lane years ago before the stamps were all die-cut and we had to cut out the rubber stamps ourselves with the appropriate scissors. Instead of cutting the rubber, trim the sticker down closer to the image so that when applied to the stamp, a little border of foam will not be covered and will stick to the block better.

Is that extra work?? Yes!  Can we all use a little mindless trimming with our Paper Snips while watching TV or just relaxing?  Yes!  You don’t have to be exact so that makes it pretty easy.  Just go around the image in order to leave a little bit of a border.  Some stamps might have more than others.  Peel off the white paper covering the foam on the stamp. Then remove the split paper on the sticker itself and apply the sticker to the foam.  Then remove the backing from the sticker so that you can see it.

Here’s an ornament stamp with the sticker trimmed and applied, before the backing is removed. You can see the foam around the edge that will now be able to adhere to the block.

After the sticker is applied to the stamp, peel off that white covering.

Look closely and you can see the trimmed sticker on the stamp.

Of course if you still have trouble, or don’t want to trim your stickers, there are other solutions to clear-mount stamps that don’t stick.  Sometimes the acrylic blocks get dirty or greasy, so just cleaning off those oils will help stamps stick better.  Use the Clear Block Cleaning Cloth  or wash with some grease-cutting dishwashing soap.  The Multipurpose Liquid Glue can be applied lightly to the stamp and allowed to dry for a temporary adhesive. And if I am just in a hurry with a stubborn stamp, sometimes I just apply a little SNAIL! Also when you apply the sticker, make sure the stamp is flat and doesn’t get a bend in it from sticking the sticker on too tightly.

Clear-mount stamps are less expensive than wood-mount and take up less storage space, but the disadvantage is that they have to be placed on an acrylic block and taken off and sometimes they do not stick too well. If this is a real problem for you, I would recommend you purchase wood-mount stamps that are always ready to go, and that wood block just feels good in your hand!

The place to buy the best stamps is always Stampin’ Up!