Customized Rubber Stamps

Trace photos to pin, cut, and design your own.

© Mary Welling-Bonney

May 15, 2006

dj's baptism, Julie Welling

Previously we looked at creating a rubber stamp with a minimal of expense. Those work great until you want something with a great deal more detail and durability.

Champagne Method

Materials needed:

  • Exacto
  • Extra fine 'U' and 'V' cutting gouges
  • Blank rubber stamp (See 'Tip of the Day)
  • Microsoft Photo Editor
  • Pin
  • Tape
  • Optional: Potato for practice
  • Ink padFirst decide on a design. For this, we are going to try something a little different. To make it truly a customized stamp, I took one of the pictures of my grandbaby that I have online. Using Photo Editor, use the image button to crop your picture to the desired size. For best results, use a simple picture such as a close up of a face rather than a group photo. Print two copies.. I print several more just because I find it easier if I need a replacement.These rubber stamps do not come cheap. Really be sure of your design before your start. You need to keep in mind that everything when stamped will reverse to a mirror image. You can draw the design directly onto the stamp or trace it as we did in the Beer budget stamp. For this medium, I used a third method.Lay photo over blank stamp right side up and secure with tape. You do not want it moving around while you are working on it. Using a pin, poke through the paper and into the rubber following all lines. You are making an outline on the rubber. Keep the dots close together to get a more accurate impression. This can be a tedious process but if you take your time, it will pay off with the perfect impression.Remove paper when all lines have been processed with the pin. Now using your exacto blade go back and connect the dots to better be able to see the entire picture. Use your untouched photo to see what you may have missed and to view the whole picture as you continue.Using your 'V' gouge, run a thin line on each side of your pin line. Any area you want to have no color, use your 'U' gouge and remove all the rubber from that space. Areas where you want a lot of color need to remain with all surrounding material removed. Areas where you want a line work in reverse of our natural inclination. You leave the area and remove the area on each side of it to have a line remaining. Use the potato to practice on making sure to actually stamp with it to see what happens for different cuts.Tip of the Day: The craft store sells these as mirror image stamps. They are actually just blanks.Do it yourself scrapbook suppliesCustomized scrapbook lettersScrapbook collageshomemade stampers-Beer budgetmaking your own giftbagsmake your own stencil"Copyright 2006, Mary Welling-Bonney & Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright."

    • The copyright of the article Customized Rubber Stamps in Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts is owned by Mary Welling-Bonney. Permission to republish Customized Rubber Stamps must be granted by the author in writing.




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