Tips for Quality Stamped Cards
Whether you are a new stamper or have been doing it for years, we often need to focus on some of the basics (just like we do at our demonstrations)! The following is a list of tips compiled as to how to improve your stamping, your demo cards and your display cards. By paying attention to these things, you will be able to create fantastic cards, quickly and easily. You should follow these guidelines when doing exchanges and making items to trade at convention. Papers:
Don't mix neutral colored papers (different color naturals, whites, gloss, etc.) If the base of your cards is putty natural, any other pieces other than colored paper used on the card should also be putty natural. If the base is whisper white, then the other pieces added should be whisper white, etc. Stampin on colored papers usually doesn't look good unless creating a background or embossing. (Please note the word "usually")
Layering: When you have words that are cut out and layered, it looks best if you add a splash of coordinating paper underneath or sponge the edges in the coordinating color. Make sure your edges are cut straight and even all around when layering. Make sure things are mounted straight. If in doubt what colors look good together, use the color charts shown in the catalog for inks and papers. As a general rule, colors in the same "family" will work well together. Many times a fantastic stamped card is ruined by the colors used to back it. This is very important! Take advantage of our coordinating colors – pads and papers. The colored paper you use should pick up colors used in the stamping of the card. Embossing: When embossing – make sure there are no "powder dots" and that the image is completely melted. Many images are too fine to emboss, you loose the image and it becomes blurred. This is especially true with many words and phrases. Stampin' and Colorin': When stamping a "line image" type stamp, you will generally want to color it if it is stamped in black ink (unless it is a black and white theme card). For example, do not stamp the main image in black and words in red and leave the main image uncolored. Rainbow stamped images usually do not look good colored. When coloring an image (with markers, chalk, etc), generally the image needs to be first stamped in black or other dark color. You want those outlines to be dark and crisp after colored.
Clean and Crisp: Edge marks are unacceptable. If you catch an edge – start over. Be proud of what you do – be picky and critical. Make sure there is no smudges, fingerprints, no blurred images, no incomplete images, etc. When stamping close to front edges, make sure it does not hit the underneath card. Don't make you cards too busy looking. When masking, make sure your mask is cut a little smaller than original image so that the second stamped image matches up closely with no gaps. Bows and Embellishments: When adding bows, make sure they are sized proportionally to the card – avoid big, chunky bows. Also, make sure the colors match or coordinate – many times they clash. If you are using hot-glue to attach things, make sure there are no strings. Little Hints: When stamping words, think about purposely stamping them tilted. On many cards this looks good if you can't get them straight. Purposely tilted looks much better than a little tilted because you were trying to get them straight. When using rainbow pads, make sure your colors are blended and there are no straight lines between colors. For exchanges, if it is a card exchange – make sure only full size cards or card fronts, not gift tags. For demonstration/display purposes – it is best to not mix sets, except when adding greetings or backgrounds. Be consistent on your cards. If speckling, speckle words layered on the front too, cut with only one design of scissors, if corner rounding base of card, also do the layers. When stamping words on inside and outside – make sure fonts match (or coordinate) with each other. Also make sure the fonts coordinate with the style of the other stamps. Picking Colors for Swaps: Color Family Monochromatic Color Coach Stectrum Pad Colors Inspiration Sheets Rule of Three for Swaps: Three Layers Three Colors Three Stamps – image, background and saying. Preferable from one set.