Stamping is by far one of the most versatile craft techniques (you can make scrapbooks, cards and so much more!), but it’s also one of the most intimidating to learn!  I know that personally I’ve always wanted to learn how to stamp, but it seems so daunting.  What kinds of stamps do I need to buy?  How exactly do I use them?  What’s the best way to stamp on a handmade card versus stamping on a scrapbook layout?  Well, I decided to face my fear and dig into the world of stamping.  Here’s what I found out: it’s not that hard at all!  Keep reading to find answers to all those questions swirling around in your head!

Basic Stamp Craft Supplies:

If you’ve just decided to take up stamping, you’re in luck!  Stamping is one of those crafts that requires very few supplies, so your wallet can rest easy on this one.  Here are the basics that you will need to get started stamping.  Once you begin playing around with different techniques and projects, you’ll have a better idea of what other supplies you might want to invest in down the line.  For now, here’s what you’ll need:

• Ink pads (dye, pigment or permanent-solvent based)
• Paper and/or cardstock
• Watercolor paints or pencils, marker pens, chalks, colored pencils, pigment powders (these are all various ways that you can add color to your rubber stamping projects)
• Stamps (mounted or unmounted rubber or wood, clear or acrylic, foam)
• Acrylic blocks (if using acrylic stamps)

Easy Stamping Tips and Techniques:

Whether you’re going to be stamping with ink, markers or paint, there are a few tips you’ll want to know ahead of time.  Below we’ve rounded up some of our best advice and hope you’ll check it out before you start stamping!

How to Use Rubber Stamps for Your Craft Projects

How to Work with Clear Stamps

How to Stamp with Paint

Guide to Inks, Ink Pads and Re-Inkers

How to Make Your Own Stamps

Simple Beginner Stamping Crafts:

Super Easy Stamped Christmas Cards — Make these in minutes!

Adorable Embellished Easter Card — Use a cute chick stamp to make a variety of Easter greetings!

Paint and Stamp Treasure Box — Decorate a storage container using your new stamping skills!

How to Stamp: Video Tutorials

Want to learn a quick and easy way to get the perfect stamped image every time?  Just watch this stamping craft tutorial and find out a tried and true trick from one of our craft experts!  You won’t believe how simple it can be to improve your stamping technique!

Now that you have the basics of stamping down, you can move on to more advanced techniques!  One of my favorites is masking; it’s a great way to give your homemade cards and scrapbook layouts some extra dimension, and it’s not at all hard to do!  Just watch this video tutorial and learn how to master the masking technique of rubber stamping!

I hope I’ve inspired you to tackle a new craft, or to perfect your technique if you’re already into stamping!  I love using stamps to make my scrapbooks more elaborate and they’re also really handy when making holiday cards, but did you know there are more than 100 other things you can do with stamps?!  We’ve collected 125 ideas of things to stamp and you won’t believe some of the amazing ways you can put your stamp set to use!

Also, don’t forget that March is National Craft Month and every single day we’re having a giveaway contest where you could win an awesome prize!  Just check out today’s Project of the Day post and find out how to enter.

What’s your favorite thing to make with stamps?