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Teresa Collins Stampmaker

My stampmaker came in last week, and I was tickled pink. I finally got a stamp made and I am so excited to share it with you. This baby retails for $169.99 which after cracking open the kit, I think is a great price. EVERY THING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED IS HERE. AND THERE IS PLENTY FOR MAKING MISTAKES. When I purchased this machine, I didn't realize it also made embossing jackets, and stencils, this really does add to the value of the machine for me. Here is a walk-through of the machine:

Out of the Box
In the box is everything you see in the picture. There are LOTS of supplies to get you started, but not all of it is advertised.

I recommend watching the included CD before getting started. It has around 20 images from Teresa Collins that you can use as a base for your own designs, or print them as is. They are high quality frames and icons, saved as Illustrator files. I was very impressed. Also the cd includes a pdf of all the instructions included in the kit. They even included software for creating designs. I personally didn't install the software, I used Adobe Illustrator. You can also use Ms. Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or any other program that always you to be creative.

Imageblack Negative Film is also included in your kit. There are 4 sheets of 81/2 x 11 included. This is not the same thing as a transparency. It is actually opaque and thick, to block the lighting. Ink Jet printers are recommended for this film. Most laser printers do not print dark enough.

Printing a Design
PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHT LAWS FOR IMAGES THAT ARE NOT YOUR OWN!
When creating your designs, you must use black and white. Anything in black will be masked (not seen) and anything in white will be the ridge for the stamp. Designs should be printed as a "NEGATIVE" so the background you would ordinarily see as a white space needs to be black, and the text white. I created a box and filled it with black, then created my design in white on top of the black box. Make sure you leave approximately 1/2 inch border around your design. The instructions give you the exact measurements for the photopolymer pouches. You don't have to create designs on your computer, you can also use die cuts, lace and other "SOLID/NON SEE THROUGH" products. I haven't experimented with these yet.

Printer Settings

Make sure you print BEST or HIGHEST quality as this setting dumps the largest amount of ink onto your project. Refer to your printer's manual for instructions on how to do this. Also make sure you know which side of the paper the printer prints on. To determine the orientation, write the word TOP on a blank sheet of paper, place it in the paper tray with the word facing up. Print something on the paper, and look at which side it prints on.

Insert your Imageblack Negative Film into your inkjet printer so that the ink will print on the side with the milky film. To figure out which side is the correct side, wet your finger, and touch the tip corner of the film. It will be obvious which side to print on. The milky film will come off the correct side. My first run, I printed on the wrong side, and the Ink smeared everywhere. The second time, I printed on the correct side, and the ink was dry instantly.

Trim the design to the black border. Any unused Negative film can be re-used, but keep it in the provided envelope as it is light sensitive. Waste-Not Want-Not.

Also - you don't want any scratches or uneven inking in the black areas. NO LIGHT MUST PENETRATE THIS AREA. That is why you need to make the image 1/2 in larger on all sides than the photopolymer pouch you are using.

Assembling Your Machine
The instructions for assembling the machine for the first use, were not included in the kit (bummer). But it really isn't very hard. Remove the machine from the plastic casing. The cord and the lamps are stuffed inside the machine for shipping. Remove them, BUT DO NOT PLUG THE MACHINE IN. On the bottom of the machine there is a door that slides off. It is a mirror and should be handled with care. Remove the plastic sheath that is on top of the mirror. Remove your light bulbs form their packaging. Insert the light bulbs into their housing in the back of the machine. The bulbs will go long end side to side. Press firmly until they lock into place. Replace the mirrored door. NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE LIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE ON, IT WILL CAUSE EYE DAMAGE. Plug the machine in, if all the bulbs come on, then they are properly placed, if not, unplug the machine, remove the door, and adjust the seating. Mine kind of popped into place.

Burning Images
Instructions for burning your images are in the kit, and VERY accurate. And it truly takes 3 mins to work.

Washing off the GOOP
This was the most challenging step. On the first attempt, I found that the image I created had thin lines that were fragile. The polymer is hard, but not completely hardened, and most of my image washed away as I tried to remove the goop. The second time, I thought maybe I removed too much goop, so I left a little in the background. This stamp would make an awesome grunge stamp, but not really what I was after. They provide a brush for scrubbing, but I found that I scrubbed the design off with it, and the pressure from the faucet also washed away my design. The third time, I filled the sink with warm soapy water and gently washed under the water. The design is pink, so you can easily tell when the goop is washed away. Don't overdo it. This process will definitely take some practice.

Once you are happy, place the stamp inside the bowl (provided) with water, and put back in the machine for 2 - 3 minutes to harden. The pink burns off during this stage. It may have a slight pinkish tinge but not bad.

Finishing the stamp
For the first stamp, I trimmed away the excess then placed it on the adhesive sheet (provided) to make it sticky on the back. NOT A GOOD IDEA! Next stamp I placed the adhesive sheet on the stamp, then cut it out. Better idea, but I'm not a fan of the stick sheet. So I have decided to paint the back of my stamp with quick clear dry adhesive and mount it to vinyl. The vinyl will actually help the stamp cling to clear blocks, and won't block the design. I must make a trip to JoAnn's and buy the vinyl tonight before I say it will definitely work.

Side notes: I did find a better adhesive for the stamps. I applied Stencil Adhesive directly to the back of the stamp and it worked perfect.

Conclusion:
Stamped image was crisp as you can see from the card. I was very impressed. Instructions were great, and only a few things were missing about the installation process, but actually I give them a 9 out of 10 as far as clear instructions go.

I could see where this machine could be frustrating for NON-MECHANICAL people. I consider myself an intermediate to advanced person with these types of things, but I could see where someone who is not proficient with the computer could become frustrated. For me the goop removal was the hardest part. And it would be nice to see a video instruction on just WHAT is the correct consistency. When I become proficient I will do one.

I don't like the fact that stamp has this hard plastic behind it. I would rather have the same type of stamp that I buy over the counter. However, with intricate designs, I can see where the plastic backing will help keep the image from breaking away. Don't like the fact that they are not clingy. But I can live with it.

Will this machine eliminate my need to buy clear stamps? NEVER, but it is nice to have the option to create custom designs for things you can never find. Like my Bible verses or quotes that I like to use.

Also, Teresa Collins will graciously continue to create custom designs for people who own the machine. You can find these designs on her blog. I will make some of my designs available too. You will need adobe acrobat to download mine.

Here is the stamp that I created...

COMMENTS:

I love your site! I love the idea of Psycho Mums - ties in very nicely with my multi-tasking lifestyle here in the UK

We produce the Teresa Collins Stampmaker - so glad your review was 9/10 and I felt that I had to write to you to say thank you - and to give you a tip on creating fine text stamps. We have developed a Flash technique - which helps hold the text together if you have fine or small text. Basically, you assemble the negative & sachet in the clamp & turn on the Stampmaker. then you insert it upside down, for a count of 3, remove & insert the right way up for the 3 minutes. This gives you a thin "floor" to the stamp.

You can see this on Teresa's latest video clip on youtube and I've attached our updated Stampmaker instructions for you.
Happy Stampmaking!
Kind Regards,
Linda Worsfold
Craft Sales Manager

Elin Pettersen:
I am a "stamper" from Norway.
I got a Stampmaker for christmas, and have just started testing it out. Having some troubles I searched on Internet and found your videos on Youtube, as also the website and got some great tips. Thanks!!
I love the dress shape you made!!!
Have a nice day. :-)

Steampunk Card Stampmaker Projects

Thank you for all your sweet comments and inquiries about the Stampmaker Review I posted earlier. As requested by many of you, I have put together three videos that assist with the process. Of course the best advice I can give is PLAY!

The videos are lengthy, but I broke them up so you can watch only the parts you need. They are on my Youtube Channel.

Videos:
Part I - Design and Printing
Part II - Creating the Stamp
Part III - Prepping and Using the Stamp

Here is a card that I made using the dress form stamp created in the videos.

Leave a Comment, and I will send you the image.

COMMENTS:

Barbara Bartlett:
Love the dress form. Thanks for sharing. Love you videos, too.

Philippa:
Hi Gibbst, thank you so much for the link to your website and oh I LOVE this very much, it's gorgeous! I love dressforms. I will watch the videos you have done, hopefully tomorrow. Smiles and thanks again! Philippa aka beautifulthings

Siv-Iren Asakskogen
Greetings from Norway!
Love the dress form and the videos. I've been checking the Teresa Collins Stampmaker out for a couple of days now, and your videos have just convinced me - I've GOT to order one (actually, I'll do it right after I've written this..)!!
Thanks for sharing both knowledge, tips and design!
Best wishes, Siv