If you own and use photopolymer stamps you know that they do not stay looking new. A lot of inks types and colors will clean up, for the most part, off your stamp. Just remember that dirty looking or permanently colored photopolymer stamps do not affect its use at all. Once the ink is dry it will not transfer or stamp on future projects.
I talk about cleaning stamps in a previous post on February 10, 2017.
Reasons for your not fresh and new looking photopolymer stamps:
- Using red based inks. Kind of like when you eat red frosting or candy, and it stains your tongue and teeth.
- StayzOn*
- Navy ink and other colors. Navy has been my worst offender, but my ink pad is very juicy.
- Exposure to sunlight. Remember to store your photopolymer stamps out of direct sunlight. The sunlight will cause the material to yellow, and eventually degrade. With proper storage your photopolymer should last for years of enjoyment.
- Archival inks (gray and black) should clean up with our Stampin' Mist cleaner, or a baby wipe in an emergency. Baby wipes can leave fuzzies though.
- *Remember to NOT USE StayzOn cleaner on your photopolymer stamps. Strong chemicals in the cleaner can quickly degrade the photopolymer. And it doesn't clean them up any better than the Stampin' Mist or warm water.
- i have had some success with just warm water on my photopolymer to get most of the red based inks. It leaves them barely tinted a faint pink. All perfectly normal and expected.
- Once any of the types of ink are dry they will not leave color on ink pads or projects in the future. If using the same stamp in multiple colors during a creating session, just be sure to clean and dry between colors. And remember to always work from lightest color to darkest when working in the same session with the same stamp.
I hope this "clears" a few things up about caring for your photopolymer stamps and doesn't leave you seeing red!
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