Rubber Stamping – Simple Tips for Enhancing with Age
The element of age in rubber stamping projects
adds dimension, zest and your own unique sparkle when you are looking for
something new and distinctive. Aging (also known as distressing) your rubber
stamping creations can be done simply and inexpensively with common household
items. In this article you will learn how to use things like sandpaper, ink
pads, candles, scissors, and glue to enhance your rubber stamping projects with
age. Use these techniques on their own or in combination with one anther to
achieve different distressing results.
BEFORE YOU DISTRESS
First, before you distress your paper, do a layout of the card or page you wish
to create. With everything cut to size you are ready to age your rubber stamping
project. You may wish to stamp any rubber stamping images where you desire them
before you distress. Keep in mind it will depend on the project as to whether to
do your rubber stamping before or after the aging techniques.
SANDING
Heavy colored paper with a white core shows this technique well. Using medium
rough sandpaper or a sanding block, lightly sand the edges of the paper you wish
to rubber stamp on. Sand all other edges where you wish to have an aged look.
INKING
Using a dye based or pigment ink – these are your rubber stamping ink pads –
brush the ink pad across the edges of your paper. Hold the ink pad at a 45º or
smaller angle as you do this. The smaller the angle the more ink you will see
around the edges. You may wish to use the same color that you are rubber
stamping with.
CRUMPLING
Try rubber stamping a faded image randomly over lightweight paper. Crumple into
a ball and smooth out. At this point you may wish to do some inking over the
uneven surface you have created. Complete your rubber stamping project as
planned.
TEARING
For this technique be sure to do your rubber stamping first. Tear somewhat
unevenly through the image in a couple of places. Ink the edges. Put the image
back together on a solid background. This will give the rubber stamping image
the look of being broken or cracked. You may wish to run a bead of white glue on
the seams.
BURNING
For this method, be sure you practice first. Do not use your finished rubber
stamping images on your first attempt. Using a candle, hold your paper
horizontally above the flame, high enough that it does not catch fire, hold in
this position just until it begins to smoke. Burn edges as desired. Complete
your rubber stamping project once the desired effect is achieved.
SCISSORS
Using your scissors as you would to curl curly ribbon, gently curl the corners
of your rubber stamping images. Once the desired effect is achieved, complete
the rubber stamping creation.
FOLDING
Using heavy paper, fold randomly, sand the folded edge, ink, and unfold. Do this
repeatedly until the desired effect is achieved. You may want to do some rubber
stamping before unfolding. At this point, smooth out the paper and emboss your
rubber stamping image in a contrasting color in the center.
Rubber stamping is a fun and creative hobby. No matter the aging technique used,
rubber stamping projects can be enhanced in many exciting and different ways.
