Learn how to create rubber stamps on any budget, inspired by any image or pattern you like.
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The great thing about making rubber stamps is that you can make them cheaply, out of items you probably have lying around: an exacto knife (pictured left) and a rubbery eraser.
As you get more detailed with your stamps, you may want to invest in a carving tool, like the Speedball brand shown. These are available at most art and craft stores, often with the lino cutting supplies.
As your stamps get bigger, you'll also want to buy some carving material. My favourite is the pink "Speedy-Stamp" made by Speedball. It's a little more expensive than the beige material shown (about $5 for a postcard-sized sheet), but is less likely to crumble.

If your stamp design is pretty simple, you can draw directly onto the rubber. Otherwise, it's best to draw your design onto a piece of paper first, remembering that WHAT YOU DRAW WILL BE REVERSED ON THE STAMP. Important to remember if you're carving text!
In this case, I was making a stamp for a friend based on one of his illustrations. I took the image into Photoshop, resized and lightened it. Next, I used a soft pencil to go over all the places I want to print in the final stamp.

Now place the image down on the stamping rubber, and affix in place with a small piece of tape. Transfer the image to the rubber by shading over the back of the illustration, or rubbing it with the back of a spoon.
Another technique, if you're using a photocopy, is to apply a small amount of acetone (nail polish remover) to the back of the paper. This does NOT work, however, with images printed by inkjet printers. (I learned that the hard/messy way!)

I like to start with the outlines of all sections. Run the carving tool away from you without pressing too hard or you'll end up gouging the rubber and taking out a chunk you don't want to. Remember that you can always take away more rubber later, so err on the side of taking less away.
When carving along curving lines it's best to keep the tool in one place and rotate the rubber.
If you're having trouble seeing where you have or haven't carved, try coating the whole piece of rubber with a thin layer of ink.
Lynda U.
Susan K.
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Rotem
JessayahX
Janet N.
Keri P.
Krissi
Salamanga
Sarah
Wouter
Rebecca a...
Crafterella
Megan S.
charmaine
Kirsten M.
Skyler
Aputel
Amelia B.
maroooooya
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lindsay
RAQUEL W.
R0oster
Jadeygirl
Jennifer H.
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Romy P.
Pre-heate...
Kaiizer
Nicole R.
Moe
Lipthink
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ofenjen
Carrie C.
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April W.
Roma
Lianeeh
LaLaHappy
Vanna
Alissa B.
Heather P.
Cheshire G.
Janet R.
Patricia R.
Judith K.
Libresaurus
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queercat
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opposites...
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Nix Sidhe
Jan 27, 2008 4:37pm
You gave such a great tutorial. I just got back into printmaking!
Cat Morley
Jan 27, 2008 6:19pm
I'm going to try and find some of the materials to make this on eBay, I can't wait to give it a try. Thank you!
Candace H.
Jan 27, 2008 8:35pm
Wow! So cool! Thanks for sharing.
opposites-girl
Jan 27, 2008 9:11pm
This is so interesting! I love stamps and have always wanted to make my own.
Great tutorial and I love the tree stamp!
Myam
Feb 1, 2008 6:47am
i will make some for my tags. :) thanks for the inspiration
Alex F.
Feb 2, 2008 2:22am
Oh gosh, we spent so many weeks doing a few of these in art in high school. I don't think I was very good at it but I still display the finished prints I made :)
Markie
Feb 3, 2008 6:18pm
oooo....great tutorial. i would have never known to make such a thing. thanks!
Jeanette
Feb 5, 2008 7:34pm
meh pay that no mind i love the tutorial and idea and the face is hawt! :3
ʎǝɔɐɹƃ
Feb 14, 2008 9:43am
Thats wickeeddd, I'm going to make one with my name and the little star and heart and stamp it on all my makes
Grace★♥
Alessandra S.
Feb 16, 2008 2:44pm
loveit. i also tried a simon&garfunkle stamp, but used printmaking supplies and used white printink on black paper. *tries to find camera to post 'my version'*