Flashback: No-Carve Stamps

Craft & Design Paper Crafts
Flashback: No-Carve Stamps

CRAFT_no-carve_clear_stamps_03a

No-Carve Clear Stamps 01a.jpg

By Jeromina Juan

Ever wonder about the possibilities of designing your own stamps without having to carve anything? There is a simple way! You’ll need one ordinary household object – silicone caulking. Yes, the one you use on your bathtub, sinks, and windows!

With no carving to do at all, this task cannot be simpler. And the result? Clear stamps just like ones you buy at the craft stores, but made in any design and pattern you want, in any size. Here, I made some stamps in the style of vintage botanical designs, for summer.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Materials.jpg

Materials

1/8″-thick acrylic plexiglass; can be found at hardware stores
X-Acto knife
Metal ruler
Silicone rubber caulking (clear)
; can be found at hardware stores
Water-based paint
Brayer

Note: You can cut plexiglass to size by scoring a straight line several times using an X-Acto knife and metal ruler, and then placing the plexiglass on a table with the score line over the edge and snapping it in one quick motion.

Directions

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 01.jpg

Step 1: Sketch your designs on paper. These botanical designs range between 4″-6″ wide. The leaves are 2″-3″. But your designs can be any size you like.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 02.jpg

Step 2: Hold the caulk tube vertical and tap it against a flat surface 8-10 times to remove any air bubbles. Cut the tip of the tube with scissors. I usually cut about 1/8″ away. Remember, the size of the hole on the tip of the tube will be the thickness of your lines, so cut cautiously! You can always cut a little more off, but once the tube is cut, you can’t make the opening smaller again.

Place your design under a piece of plexiglass and trace over it with the caulk, making sure you are evenly squeezing the tube and all drawn lines are touching the plexiglass. The harder you squeeze the tube, the thicker your lines will be. In some designs, this might be a desirable effect. You might want to practice on some scrap paper or plexiglass before you start on your stamp.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 03.jpg

Step 3: Let the caulking cure for 24 hours, and then your stamp is ready.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 04.jpg

Step 4: On a sheet of plexiglass, squeeze a dollop of paint. To create an ombre print, you will need to use two paint colors at the same time. Load the brayer with paint as you roll.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 05.jpg

Step 5: Using your brayer, apply the paint on the stamp. You will need to make three to four passes to ensure all lines are covered.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 06.jpg

Step 6: Carefully press the stamp on your desired surface.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 07.jpg

Step 7: If your design has other components, like this one does, repeat Step 4 to add them to your print. In this case, I’ll add some leaves to my flower.

No-Carve Clear Stamps Step 08.jpg

Step 8: Create a beautiful botanical pattern! Clean your stamps immediately after use by wiping the surface with a dampened paper towel and any small spaces with a dampened cotton swab. Then, wash gently under running water with a little bit of soap.

No-Carve Clear Stamps 02.jpg

Here are several samples of homemade botanical stamps: lilac, peony, and dahlia, each having two leaves (plus a stem for the lilac).

Stamp your own designs and patterns on paper to create beautiful stationery. Or on fabric to make your own floral-print clothes, table cloths, and placemats. Or accent a narrow wall in your home with your own stamped designs. Of course, stamps can also be anything other than floral. Enjoy – the list is endless!

About the Author:

jeromina_juan.jpg)

Jeromina Juan is the author of the blog Paper, Plate, and Plane, where she shares a slew of out-of-the-box crafting and entertaining ideas, and recollects her few-and-far-between globe-trotting experiences.

2 thoughts on “Flashback: No-Carve Stamps

  1. Isa says:

    Awesome! Rubber cutting is both frustrating and tedious not to mention that the lines are not always clean and perfect and the rubber might brake if you twist it or something.

    In any case, love what you’ve done and your creativity. Thanks and wish you doors open everywhere you go, whatever you do!

  2. Bethany Dias says:

    This is such a great way to make stamps! Thank you for writing about it.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Haley Pierson-Cox from Red-Handled Scissors is a maker of crafts, a lover of cats, an avid swearing enthusiast, a cross-stitch book author, and a general purveyor of quirk. She's also sometimes an irritable cartoon named Tiny Cranky Haley. https://www.redhandledscissors.com

View more articles by Haley Pierson-Cox

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK