> I like it because it is really easy to carve and
> I don't have to worry about mounting because it's nice and thick.

I actually prefer stamps that aren't mounted--even the pink stuff.
It might be a little messier since you're more likely to get ink on
your hands, but mounted stamps tend to have a bad habit of not inking
very well in the center of the stamp. I've even gone so far to foil
the darned mounts by turning the stamp over and pressing the paper
down on the stamp instead. (And then when everyone sees what a
wonderful image of the stamp I got, they wonder how I did it because
their five attempts didn't work out well at all. So that's how.
Tricks fo the trade.)

The irony is that the larger the stamp is, the worse the problem
becomes. But the larger the stamp is, the more people feel that a
backing is necessary and are more likely to create one. *rolling
eyes*

And come on, we're letterboxers. Having inky hands is part of the
game. =)

But if you must mount a stamp, at least don't mount it to a flat
surface. Sand the edges down a bit so the center of the stamp can
still stamp well.

-- Ryan

I really appreciate your reply on this as it was at your
encouragement that I tried the pink stuff out in the first place =)

So here is the issue I am having the stamp I just carved is about
3.5 inches wide and 1 inch thick. When trying to stamp it myself I
am already having the problem of the stamp not imaging well in the
middle. I carved another that is about 2 inches high and 1.5 inches
wide and while it stamps wonderfully, the pink stuff just feels so
thin to me that I am really worried about it holding up. I am not
sure with the pink but with the white speedball I have noticed that
if it has the slightest crack anywhere it will break in two faster
than anything. Is the pink pretty much the same? I usually cut very
closely around the stamp to keep it as small as possible and I
totally agree, I prefer un-mounted stamps but I'm just a little
concerned about these. Suggestions please??

pandora{HIB}
Chaos Reigns!

Here are Dick Blick's prices on Staedtler Master Carving Blocks:

http://www.dickblick.com/zz404/00/products.asp?param=0&ig_id
=5195

Bonnie

Interesting thoughts here....... Please don't take my words as an attempt to be upsetting, irritating, or defamatory, just a sometimes feeble attempt at conversation.

I'm confused as to how a stamp that is mounted as a commercial stamp won't ink up in the center? Every stamp that I have made and mounted, and I'll admit, the number of those is FAR less than most of the people here have done, worked wonderful when mounted on a thin block of wood. The ones that I place in a letterbox are mounted on thin pieces of wood to combat just what you are remarking about, the inability of the center to get the same amount of pressure applied when stamping as the outer edges do.

All in all though, if the stamp is inked properly and pressed evenly and firmly to the paper, then alls well. Personally, I've given up on ink pads and have gone with watercolor pens to make my images from. I find much better control in covering the stamp this way and less leftover mess to soil the inside of the letterbox/Ziploc baggie with.

But, like I said, these are MY preferences and are not meant to indicate in any way that anyone else is or was, doing anything wrong or improper.

Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: rscarpen
To: letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 8:32 AM
Subject: Re: [LbNA] carving material question


> I like it because it is really easy to carve and
> I don't have to worry about mounting because it's nice and thick.

I actually prefer stamps that aren't mounted--even the pink stuff.
It might be a little messier since you're more likely to get ink on
your hands, but mounted stamps tend to have a bad habit of not inking
very well in the center of the stamp. I've even gone so far to foil
the darned mounts by turning the stamp over and pressing the paper
down on the stamp instead. (And then when everyone sees what a
wonderful image of the stamp I got, they wonder how I did it because
their five attempts didn't work out well at all. So that's how.
Tricks fo the trade.)

The irony is that the larger the stamp is, the worse the problem
becomes. But the larger the stamp is, the more people feel that a
backing is necessary and are more likely to create one. *rolling
eyes*

And come on, we're letterboxers. Having inky hands is part of the
game. =)

But if you must mount a stamp, at least don't mount it to a flat
surface. Sand the edges down a bit so the center of the stamp can
still stamp well.

-- Ryan


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I haven't noticed any untoward "splitting" with the pink stuff though it is not immune to doing so... Like you, I have also noticed the white stuff splits easily, but in my not so humble opinion, the pink stuff is a bit sturdier...

For a stamp as big as the one you have made, I would back it, but again, that's just me... With the Goop that we use, it's a strong and waterproof adhesive and with the larger stamps, if you let it sit overnight with a heavy book on it, there is no slippage, or "bowing" of the middle... to be truthful, you can do this with ANY size stamp so that there is no issue with the middle not stamping correctly... To me, having a back to the stamp gives it more of an even pressure when stamping the image and doesn't allow the carving material to bend as it is likely to do when not using a backing, be it the pink OR the white stuff....

But again, just my not so humble opinion and 2 cents worth.... *grins*

RayvenMom


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



>I really appreciate your reply on this as it was at your
>encouragement that I tried the pink stuff out in the first place =)

>So here is the issue I am having - the stamp I just carved is about
>3.5 inches wide and 1 inch thick. When trying to stamp it myself I
>am already having the problem of the stamp not imaging well in the
>middle. I carved another that is about 2 inches high and 1.5 inches
>wide and while it stamps wonderfully, the pink stuff just feels so
>thin to me that I am really worried about it holding up. I am not
>sure with the pink but with the white speedball I have noticed that
>if it has the slightest crack anywhere it will break in two faster
>than anything. Is the pink pretty much the same? I usually cut very
>closely around the stamp to keep it as small as possible and I
>totally agree, I prefer un-mounted stamps. but I'm just a little
>concerned about these. Suggestions please??
>
>pandora{HIB}
>Chaos Reigns!






Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

That would probably be mastercarve you're referring to. It's a tad on
the expensive side, but I like it because it is really easy to carve and
I don't have to worry about mounting because it's nice and thick. I've
gotten it at an art store in Kennebunk (the ones in portland don't seem
to carry it) but it's cheaper to order a bunch at once online. Can't
remember where I ordered it from - maybe Dick Blick? Do a google for
Mastercarve (it's made by Staedtler). I like "the pink stuff" a lot too,
but it really needs mounting to be effective. By the way, glad you found
Rest and Relaxation OK and sorry you weren't the first finders. If it
makes you feel any better, Sunday in the dark before a long trip back to
Bangor, Phyto tried for it hoping to be first finder, but she found that
she was actually third! Guess I'll have to remember that in the future
if I want people to visit boxes right away.
Nautilus

mepanj wrote:

> Hello to all,
>
> Can anyone tell me what is the name of the white material used in
> many of the carved stamps that I have seen. Would also like to know
> where to obtain it....in a store, on line, etc. We are in Maine and
> have seen it around quite a bit. Nautilus and Phyto, can you two
> point me in the right direction?
>
> Thanks to all and happy boxing!
>
> Mepanj
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>

> I'm confused as to how a stamp that is mounted as a commercial
> stamp won't ink up in the center?

Just like a stamp with a backing is hard to stamp because of the
inability of the center to get the same amount of pressure as the
outer edges, for a large ink pad, it can be just as diffiult just to
get the ink on the stamp in the first place!

Although that's not really my grip about mounts. I use small ink
pads or markers which eliminate that problem for me, although I know
others still use large ink pads (a common newbie mistake--I did the
same thing until I saw the light) where it can be a problem--
especially for large stamps.

> The ones that I place in a letterbox are mounted on thin pieces of
> wood to combat just what you are remarking about, the inability of
> the center to get the same amount of pressure applied when stamping
> as the outer edges do.

Thin, flexible mountings might work, but I've never tried that before
(nor even seen it used) so I can't claim an opinion on that without
trying it first. But if it works, that's great. As I said before,
though, I've also found a workaround for the inflexible mountings--
turning the stamp over and stamping the paper to the stamp rather
than the stamp to paper. It works, although it tends to be messier.

-- Ryan

Sometimes the issue with inadequate ink coverage is a matter of the ink pad and not the stamp. Often an ink pad will get a depression in the middle from use and you have to make sure you are thoroughly inking each part of the stamp surface. Setting the paper on the stamp rather than stamping on the paper is one way to get a good impression most every time. It is especially useful with the larger stamps.
Memlili



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