Dartmoor Letterboxing Archive » Stamps

Hand Cutting a Stamp - Tutorial

Dizzy

2006-08-04 07:08:08

Hi all! :D Ok, there have been many question on here about cutting your own stamps, what artwork to use, how to transfer them onto the rubber and how to finally cut them by hand.



Through this step by step tutorial it will give you some idea how 'I' cut my own stamps ready to be placed on the moors.

I was taught how to cut stamps by a dedicated Letterboxer some ten years ago, sadly my friend Dave or better known as 'Hagar' to the letterboxing community passed away on Fur Tor a few years back whilst letterboxing. Dave left me with his technique and this I will pass on to you guys. :wink:



Everyone has their own ways of doing this but this way certainly works well for me! Now I know you can just simply draw onto the rubber and start carving but I know this way is much better and gives you clear lines to cut to.



1/ Ok, firstly you need to do your art work.

[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp0.1.jpg" alt=""]

2/ Draw out some rough ideas first.

3/ Re-draw the chosen one onto some good drawing paper.

4/ Go over your lines with a fine tip marker pen.

5/ Rub out the pencil lines.

6/ Scan or photograph the image onto your computer.

7/ Enhance the image through an arty program like Paint ShopPro or PhotoShop and change the colours to black and white.

8/ Print off your artwork ready for tranfering to your rubber.

[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp1.jpg" alt=""]

9/ Copy your artwork using tracing paper.

10/ Reverse the tracing paper onto your rubber and stick it down with some masking tape to prevent it moving.

[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp2.jpg" alt=""]

11/ Rub gently onto the tracing paper using a rubber trying not to move the tracing paper.

12/ You will then end up where I have got to so far.

[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp3.jpg" alt=""]

[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp4.jpg" alt=""]

I will keep you all updated over the next few weeks and photo the progress for you. Now for the cutting! :shock:



Hope this all helps,



Paul

Dizzy

2006-08-07 19:44:00

Ok, here is the next bit! :D



Got a little busy with the knives this morning (shussh, don't tell anyone but I did this at work! :wink: )



Let's get cutting!



13/ Firstly here is a pic of the tools I use for cutting a stamp. These consist of two surgical knives with extremely sharp 'new' blades (got these from Axworthy's). Three different lino cutters and a block of rubber I order from America.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp5.jpg" alt=""]



14/ The next bit is to start cutting the outline out of Dizzy. Once again remember to cut on either side of the drawn line and to cut out at an angle. The bottom of the cut needs to be wider than the top to maintain a strong stamp. Think of cutting around the lines so the cuts slope outwards.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp6.jpg" alt=""]



15/ Cutting the rest of Dizzy's body, arms and legs.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp7.jpg" alt=""]



16/ This one is the same stage but using a lino tool to aid the cutting. Lino tools are great for cutting out the waste areas plus cutting straighter lines!



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp8.jpg" alt=""]



17/ And finally.......so far anyway, a close up of the kind of angle you need to cut in order to get a good firm long lasting stamp.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp9.jpg" alt=""]



18/ Working on the lettering.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/Stamp10.jpg" alt=""]



This should so far give you all some idea on how 'I' cut a stamp. There's still lot's to do, finishing the cutting, cleaning up the waste bit's inside the cuts and testing the stamp with the ink pad. This is all to come.



Please feel free to post on this thread, I am interested to here your thought's.



Cheers all!



Paul :D

NUMBER 70

2006-08-08 17:56:30

Fantastic, cant wait to see you cut out the web address, now that will be interesting.

Dizzy

2006-08-08 20:24:01

Number 70 you are so right! :D Cutting the web site address was the most difficult part! It take the slightest presure with the knife to make the smallest cut.



19/ Here is the more or less finished stamp!



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/StampCutFinished.jpg" alt=""]



20/ And here is a quick print, my ink wasn't up to much though but it will give you some idea on how it looks.



[img="http://www.brixhamdoescare.org.uk/images/StampPrintFinished.jpg" alt=""]



Apart from some fine tuning that's about it for this little tutorial. I hope you all enjoyed it, I certainly did.



Give me some feedback on this thread to see what you think, was this helpful?



I will be placing this stamp on the moors hopefully within the next three weeks, got to work loads so I can't get onto the moors just yet.



All the best,



Paul

The Sly Fox

2006-08-10 09:12:01

Fantastic !!



Great work Paul. I am going to give it a go myself. Now, where did I put those meat cleavers?



Rob

NUMBER 70

2006-08-10 17:19:49

Sly fox, one word of warning. watch yer fingers with the knives

Dizzy

2006-08-10 19:08:46

Count all your fingers before you go to bed, if you get less than ten start worrying!



Seriously though, I keep one hand on the rubber whilst the other holding the knife with some anti-slip matting underneath. Turn the rubber instead of the knife when cutting circles or round objects.



Have fun!!

cranmere

2006-09-20 16:09:15

Thank you :-) Now all I have to do is to construct some artwork which could be something of a problem since I have the artistic ability of a brick.

Boo Boxers

2006-09-20 17:45:31

You and me both Cranmere!

Nik - KOTM

2007-03-13 23:56:08

Keep it simple until you get used to it - mine are still rubbish in comparison



I do know of a brilliant artist - yet his carved stamps are rubbish - I believe if you have the talent for it then you are laughing

Dartmoor Letterboxing Archive » Stamps