Tips on Using Your Stamparatus

Healing Hugs is my go-to stamp set for get well cards. You can see other samples here and here. I made this one with my Stamparatus and I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some card-making tips using your Stamparatus. Don’t have one yet? You’re missing out! Get one HERE. You will not regret that purchase!

This card came together quickly using my Stamparatus stamp positioning tool.

I used a combination of Misty Moonlight and Just Jade with Basic White Cardstock. The label is from Tasteful Labels Dies. I cut two, then cut the Just Jade one in half horizontally and glued the halves behind the white label.

Now for the stamping. You’ll need to cut your Basic White Cardstock to 5″x 3-3/4″. Here is my Stamparatus set up. I leave it like this for almost all my stamping.

 

Tips for perfect stamping:

• Remove the foam pad to use with rubber cling stamps. Use it for your photopolymer clear stamps.
• Use a Magnetic Pad with your Stamparatus. I use one that I purchased at Stamp -n- Storage.
• (Opt.) I use a grid sheet over my Magnetic Pad to keep it clean.
• (Opt.) A corner magnet is very helpful. It pulls your paper away from the corner and the hinges while keeping the paper straight for stamping. I use one from My Sweet Petunia. It comes with some other handy measuring tools.
• Keep your two magnets away from each other! They are so strong. See what happened to mine? If I try to separate them (I don’t think I could!) they will break. The tape around them makes it easier to lift the magnet(s) off the surface.

Stamping the Healing Hugs Images

Place your paper in the Stamparatus as shown. Line up the flower stamp in one corner. Pick it up with the hinged plate, ink up with Misty Moonlight, close the plate and stamp. Lift. Is it dark enough? Did the full image stamp? If not, ink up again and stamp it a second time. The paper doesn’t move, so your second stamping will be perfectly placed.

When you are happy with the image, turn your paper around 180 degrees. Hold it down with the magnet, re-ink your stamp and stamp in the opposite corner.

Attach your second plate to the adjacent side and repeat this process using the leaf stamp and Just Jade ink. Stamp, turn the paper 180 degrees, and stamp again. This time clean your stamp off with a moist cloth and move it to the other position you want it to be in. Ink, stamp, turn the paper, repeat.

You now have mirror-image, perfectly stamped flowers and leaves on your paper. So easy! Glue your cardstock layers together, then stamp and add the label to the center.

Stamp the inside sentiment. Use the Stamparatus for straight stamping! The clear plates have a grid etched into them, so when you pick up the stamp, you can see if it is straight by looking at the grid on the back side.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful! Maybe some of the tips will make it easier for you to get the perfectly stamped images you want. I would love to hear your feedback. Please leave me a comment below and tell me if you own a Stamparatus, if you use your Stamparatus, if you want to buy a Stamparatus, and if you think these tips will help you in future stamping.

Thanks! Have a fun and crafty weekend!

Product List

Healing Hugs Cling-Mount Stamp Set [148223] $21.00	Misty Moonlight 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [153081] $8.75	Just Jade 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [153079] $8.75
Basic White 8 1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock [159276] $9.75	Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin’ Pad [153118] $7.50	Just Jade Classic Stampin’ Pad [153115] $7.50
Tasteful Labels Dies [152886] $31.00	2020–2022 In Color Enamel Dots [152480] $8.00	Stamparatus [146276] $49.00