Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
What company started making rubber stamps for crafts?
Today we have hundreds of companies that make rubber ( or polymer) craft stamps. I know rubber stamps were used in business for decades for a variety of uses. To stamp packages "Fragile, rush, company names, name & address stamps, etc.
But who started making rubber stamps with graphics for crafters?
Does Anyone know?
Thanks
Barbara
Thank you!! Very interesting
Hero Arts is still selling rubber stamps
I don't recall seeing this craft in the 70's I know it became very popular in the late 90's and dozens of companies were started that sold rubber stamps, supplies and equipment
Think how far back (centuries) that printing goes. First carved wood blocks, then linoleum block printing, then printing with etched metal plates and carved rubber then poured rubber/photopolymer. I doubt any one company can take credit for getting a rubber stamp into the hands of an artist but, like many crafts, it was adopted by many companies, studios and artists at one time. Aren't we grateful to those pioneers?!?!
Mary Beth
I taught at a day care back in the 60's and we did rubber stamping. I bought my first one in the 70's but they were hard to find! And basically just a few colors of ink...
As far as home-sell companies go, I'm going to guess "Dots" which then became "Close to my Heart". I heard about them before Stampin Up, but maybe they were just more prevalent in my area. I think the late 80s was when there were home parties for lots of things (spawned from the Tupperware success). I remember going to a plant party! Then once I was invited to my neighbor's SU party, I was in love. I was totally into "country" decor etc. and SU was a perfect fit for me! I loved the idea of making my own cards (a new concept) and I splurged and bought "Button Bear" ((still have him too)).
This might be hard to believe, but I have rubber stamps from when I was a little girl (I was born 1955 so the stamps are probably 1959 and later vintage :shock. I have the requisite alphabet set and then separate from that an incredible set of wood mount Popeye, Olive Oyl and other related characters. They are on nifty shaped wood blocks with the rubber mounted directly to the wood, no foam. Which is probably why they have survived in beautiful condition! The rubber is still in nice condition, though I must have had an affinity to a hideous purple/blue ink, by the looks of the wood! ;) I have them on display in a typeset box and they make me smile everytime I see them and am reminded of my early stamping experiences!
What company started making rubber stamps for crafts?
I think when I was eight I got my first red ink pad. Thriteen I got a green ink pad, lol. Stamping has evolved a little bit sense then. 
. I have the requisite alphabet set and then separate from that an incredible set of wood mount Popeye, Olive Oyl and other related characters. They are on nifty shaped wood blocks with the rubber mounted directly to the wood, no foam. Which is probably why they have survived in beautiful condition! The rubber is still in nice condition, though I must have had an affinity to a hideous purple/blue ink, by the looks of the wood! ;) I have them on display in a typeset box and they make me smile everytime I see them and am reminded of my early stamping experiences! 
