* Insert ink cartridge into self-inking handle, with the tab in the slot on the handle.
* Press down until the cartridge clicks.
* Snap wheel in place.
* Press ink cartridge tab forward to engage cartridge with stamp.
* On scratch paper, roll stamp forward two or three times to get it thoroughly inked, always stamping in the same direction so the cartridge will continue to ink the wheel.
* Some people find it easier to control the wheel when they place their forefinger on the curved part of the handle that covers the wheel.
* When stamping on an actual project, always start rolling before the bottom edge of the project and continue off the top edge.
 

Watercolor with Embossing, Stampin' Write® Markers, and Blender Pens

* Use an embossing (pigment) ink pad to stamp a line-art image.
* Emboss the image with Gold Glory (or color of your choice) Stampin' Emboss® powder.
* Color with Stampin' Write markers.
* Use our unique blender pens to blur the colors however you like. (Exclusive to Stampin' Up! ®, these long-lasting pens sport two nylon brush tips that won't get fuzzy. You'll love the self-cleaning action that eliminates murky brown writing tips. Merely scribble with the side of the pen until the offending color disappears. The pens come in sets of three in a handy carrying case.)
 

Watercolor with Stampin' Up! Ink Pads

* Press your thumbs on the lid of a closed Stampin' Pad®.
* Open the lid and use a wet watercolor brush to pick up the accumulated ink to paint your stamped image.
* Don't worry about staying in the lines--watercolor is most beautiful when it bleeds outside the lines!
 

Large Background Stamps

* Place the background stamp face up on your stamping surface.
* Completely ink the stamp by tapping the ink pad on the rubber.
* Carefully place the card stock on the inked rubber.
* Cover with a piece of scratch paper.
* With smooth, firm strokes, rub the card stock, making certain to rub all areas of the stamp and to keep the card stock from sliding.
* Remove the scratch paper and carefully lift the card stock off the stamp.
 

Heat Embossing

* Rub the Embossing Buddy pouch over the surface to be embossed. This anti-static powder will keep any stray specks of embossing from spoiling your project.
* Ink and stamp with embossing or pigment ink.
* Liberally sprinkle embossing powder on stamped image.
* Shake off excess powder onto a clean sheet of paper and funnel it back into the bottle.
* Heat with Stampin' Up's embossing heat gun just until powder becomes shiny and raised. Be careful not to heat too long, as the powder will actually melt into the paper and the paper may be scorched. Allow to cool for a short period of time before touching.
 

Dry Embossing with Classy Brass™ Templates

* Secure the brass template to a light source with a small piece of tape. You can use our light table or a window. It is necessary to have sufficient light shine through the open areas of the template.
* To allow the stylus to glide more smoothly, lightly rub waxed paper over the surface of the card stock.
* Place the paper over the template, positioning it so that you'll have the image where you want it. It may be easier to add these accents after the stamping is done. For a raised image on the front of the card, place the paper with the front side down.
* Using the large end of the stylus tool, trace the open areas of the template. When the paper is turned over, the image will be raised.
* If a colored raised image is desired, reposition the brass template on the front of the card. It will act as a mask to protect the unraised surfaces. Apply color with a small sponge using our ink pads or Stampin' Pastels®.
 

Sponging

* Lightly tap a stamping sponge on an ink pad.
* Tap the inked sponge on the card stock to apply ink.
* Repeat for more intense color.
* To create a soft border, hold the card stock in one hand while lightly sponging along the edges of the card stock.
 

Speckle Ink (small flecks of color, usually added to a watercolored stamp image)

* Dip a damp toothbrush or stencil brush into ink or paint.
* Hold about an inch away from item to be flecked.
* Rub finger or thumb over bristles, splattering ink or paint as bristles snap back into place.
 

Masking

* Stamp image on card.
* Stamp image again on scrap paper and cut out.
* Lay the scratch paper image over the card image.
* Stamp the next image over the scratch paper image.
* After pulling the scratch paper image away, you will have two layered, interacting images.
 

Stamp Assembly
Stampin’ Up!’s stamps are among the finest anywhere, providing quality stamped images, a lovely appearance, and value. With simple care, your stamps will last a long time. Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight. Stamps should be cleaned between color changes and before storing. To clean, use the Stampin’ Scrub™ and Stampin’ Mist™ or a soft rag or paper towel.
All Stampin’ Up! stamps include deeply etched rubber bonded to adhesive cushion, clear labels, and beautiful wood blocks made of hard eastern maple. Each hardwood block is shaped to provide finger grips. To assemble, pull apart the rubber images and trim around the designs. Apply the clear label to one side of the wood block and the sticky-backed foam cushion with the rubber image to the other. Some tips for trimming and custom mounting are given below. Since customers assemble these stamps themselves, they save a significant amount of money--up to 60 percent--over preassembled, wood-mounted stamps.
Trimming has a big impact on the quality of the stamped image. Trimming the rubber closely around the image prevents undesirable shadow corners. For trimming, use sharp scissors with a short blade. Our Craft & Rubber Scissors are the best available for trimming. With this tool, you can get very close to the image without undercutting (cutting at an angle), and you can squeeze into tight spaces if desired.
Trimming Tips

* Trim the rubber close to the image to prevent stamping the edge of surplus rubber (shadow corners).
* Make straight cuts instead of curving around the design.
* Do not undercut (that is, do not cut at an angle: /).
* It is important to trim alphabets well because they are small stamps and it is easy to catch an edge when stamping.
* After cutting through a lot of rubber, you’ll probably want to sharpen your scissors.
* You can use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or fingernail polish remover to clean adhesive residue from the blades.

Custom Mounting Tips

* When it comes to applying ink to paper, no two stampers use the exact same technique. Some position their images with a good eye and a quick hand, while others will use an imaginary or lightly drawn line, then carefully adjust the edge of the wood mount to follow. Whatever methods different stampers use, they can position the rubber on the wood to complement their stamping styles. Custom mounting makes a stamp distinctly your own.
* Trim the stamps first, then decide which stamp goes on which block before peeling off the paper. Put the stickers on the backs of the wooden mounts (trimming the stickers if necessary), and then stick the stamp on the reverse. Make sure you apply the rubber and the label in the same direction on the block--you don’t want to stamp with the label right side up but get an image that is upside down. (Turn the label over and view it from behind; the rubber image should be facing the same direction when applied to your wood block.)
* Corner stamps can be mounted in the corner of the wood with the label applied to the same corner.
* Mount border stamps flush with a side edge so you can line them up without a stamp positioner.
* For easier positioning, it can be very useful to mount a tiny stamp on the end of the block and use it like a peg. You could also mount two small stamps on the ends of one block and put the stickers on each side. On big stamps with a large open space (like Bold Check Frame) some stampers cut out the center with our hobby blade to prevent it from picking up ink when they press the stamp firmly on an ink pad.