problems inking big deal alphabet...

[crazycanuckstamper]

I sure hope someone has figured this out for me...

I just love the big deal alphabet but I am having problems getting a nice consistent stamped image. My images are all blotchy and uneven.

Here is what I do (and is apparently not working well...). First I rub the entire stamp with the ink pad to make sure that I have all the rubber inked, then I use the full ink pad and tap/smack the stamp to ensure that there is enough ink to cover.

End result: blotchy and uneven inked image.

This also happens when I use the letter pattern kissing technique.

Any ideas or solutions???

[indyemmert]

Sometimes when I first try to use a solid stamp, I have the same problem. It's like there's a coating on it or something. I usually scrub it really well on my Stampin Scrub first. That helps. Others have suggested using a pencil eraser on the stamp. HTH!

[indyemmert]

You can also try using craft ink if you have any to get more even coverage.

[caostampin]

I've had this same problem, too. I never thought of using the craft ink. I will have to give it a shot. Thanks for the tip.

[indyemmert]

We used the Big Deal alpha yesterday at regionals, and I thought they inked up fine. Maybe you just need to use and clean them a few times.

[Stampin4sandra]

Here's another suggestion...all the ideas above are great ones... Personally, I clean my stamps well each time I go to stamp... gets the rubber ready to absorb better... Try using Versamark first.... just tap and stamp off a few times... clean it up and use it on the classic Ink.... this should help a lot. The Versamark leaves it ready t hold the ink better. Good Luck.
Oh, one other thing.... you are doing all the right things.... when you go to stamp on the Cardstock.... hold it down a little extra time.... I count to 5 or 6 and press firmly... not hard...just firm... I always get a better image.

[Shelley Davis]

If you still have problems after you've tried those suggestions. Use a brayer to apply your ink.
Shelley~

[merrymstamper]

here's my two cents:
sometimes with a solid rubber the ink "pools" together leaving you with an uneven blotchy image...I lightly sand the rubber or you can use an eraser (I have read this) so the ink has something to grab onto when you apply it.
good luck!

[jmscoping]

in one of hte Stampin Successes that demos receive, they recommend LIGHTLY sanding your solid image stamps with the sanding block. There is a film on them from when they make the rubber to make them release from teh molds that sometimes interferes with the inking.

Before I got my sanding blocks, I'd also give them a good rubbing on a pair of jeans. They're textured enough to "sand" the images.

hth,
elizabeth

[Joy A Borwege]

The sanding blocks are perfect for removing the film that helps them out of the molds. If you don't have the sanding blocks, you can use a very fine sanding paper. The surface that I use to stamp on is a wooden board made out of partical board. I use that to roughen up my stamps at first. I have also used a side walk and a brick off a fire place when I wasn't home. Good luck!!

Joy~

[danssister]

I've recently been using a technique I learned from scs: use a pink pearl eraser(probably any eraser would work) and "erase" the image. It won't hurt it like sandpaper could, and it takes off all of the residue from the stamp mold, then I clean it really well on my stampin' scrub. It really makes a difference in the stamping quality, even though it takes awhile. Try it on a couple and see what you think. HTH

[JustStarting2Stamp]

Try using an eraser to take the sheen off your stamp first.....this works for me. I do it on all my solid stamps.