Acetate Flowers: Amazing Clear Stamp Techniques

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Author: Kara Ward
 
Stamping on a transparency or acetate adds new texture and exciting dimension to your project. Create stunning works of art or unique projects with just a few different supplies added to your material list. Unleash your creativity and welcome all the new ideas that will flood your mind after adding this to your growing list of stamp techniques.

To get started, you will need to gather your supplies.
 
Choosing Your Stamps:

• Clear stamps and wood-mount stamps are perfect for this project.
• Look for stamps that can be layered together -- for example, different size floral stamps that could be layered on top of each other to create a one of a kind flower, or snowflake stamps, circles, etc. The magic in stamping on transparencies or acetates is that you can see through the layers of the stamped image. Each stamped image will show in its entirety.
  

 
Choosing the Best Transparencies:

• Office supply stores, art stores, discount stores, and some scrapbooking stores carry transparencies or acetate. They are usually sold in boxes that contain 8.5 x 11 inch sheets.
• The computer printing area is a good place to start your search for transparencies.
• Transparencies come in many different thicknesses and weights.
• They also come with different coatings on them. Some transparencies are clear (photocopying); some have film on them for running through a laser printer.
• Finding transparencies that are heat resistant is important if you plan to heat emboss your stamped image.
• Laser films are the most expensive transparencies, and photocopy transparencies are the least expensive. Both types work for stamping and embossing.

 
Choosing Your Inks:

• It is key to use an ink that will dry when stamping on a slick transparency surface.
• Permanent ink is usually a first choice for stamping on glossy or slick surfaces.
• Pigment inks work also, but they need to be heat set or embossed to prevent smearing.
• It is possible to use waterproof or archival dye inkpads when stamping on a transparency. You must allow the ink to dry completely so it will not blur the image.
• Avoid water-based ink products.

 
How to stamp on a Transparency or Acetate:

1. Use an anti-static pad before stamping on your transparency if you plan to emboss the stamped image. Transparencies are full of static. This pre-step prevents all those little spots from forming after heat embossing. Your image will look clean and fresh.
    
2. Ink your stamp. Remember, a well inked stamp only needs to lightly touch the surfaces of the transparency. The wetter the stamp the more likely it is to smear or blur the image. Using a dryer inkpad is sometimes better when stamping on slick surfaces and will still hold the embossing powder.
   
   
3. Stamp the image. Keep fingers off the transparency. It collects your fingerprints, and the oil in your hand can spoil the stamped image. Keep a piece of white paper under your acetate to make it easier to see the stamped image.
   
   
4. Apply embossing powder. Give the transparency a good shake or tap to remove the excess flecks or powder for a cleaner stamped image. If necessary, use a paint brush to remove extra powder before heat setting.
   
   
5. Heat set with an embossing tool. This is the step when a good project can go bad. Make sure to move the heat tool around and not allow it to stay in one spot. It can melt or warp the transparency. Also make sure you are working on a safe table area where the table won’t be ruined from the amount of heat coming from the tool. It truly is magic when the embossing powder melts. When working with a transparency, try heat embossing from the under side of the transparency.
   
   
6. Cut out stamped images and layer them into an amazing artistic creation.
   
   

After stamping onto acetate, think about other slick surfaces you might like to stamp on. Glass, tiles, and shrinky dinks are just a few that come to mind. A little practice and a steady hand will guide your creations as you unlock amazing new stamp techniques.