Quick Stamping Process Post

For today's post I am going to be showing you a bare-bones stamping process overview. This was requested by Lady C on my last post.

It should be noted, before I start, that I learned all of my stamping basics as well as tips and tricks from Rebecca at Rebecca Likes Nails, so go show her some love if you wanna see a master stamper.

The Tools

First of all, you will need plates! This is from the first Bundle Monster set (the 21 piece set). I purchased it on Amazon. From what I understand, the Bundle Monster plates are dupes of the Konad brand plates, but are a lower quality and therefore cheaper!

Another note about Bundle Monster plates, the first set is really good for individual images, but the full nail patterns are really small. They definitely don't cover my whole nail. The second set (the 25 piece set) of BM plates have larger full nail images, so if you are interested in those, that might be a better set for you.

You will also need a stamper. This little doodad is also from Amazon. It has a larger end and a smaller end. The ends are rubbery, and I filed mine a tiny bit with a rough emery board to get them to pick up the image better.

You will need a scraper. There was a metal Konad brand scraper included with the stamper, but I learned from the pros that an old, empty gift card or something similar works best. I guess the Konad scraper can scratch the plates, anyway.

You will also need stamping polish. Rie from Nails and Noms reminded me of this great tip and I wanted to make sure you guys read it: if a polish goes on opaquely in one coat, it will probably make a good stamping polish. And like I mentioned yesterday, most metallics work well, as well as most Sally Hansen Insta Dri polish.

The Process

Paint your polish over the stamp stencil that you want to use. Make sure that you cover all of the stamp! I use a pretty generous drop.

Take your scraper or old gift card and scrape off the excess polish. I learned that a 45 degree angle is best for this! Do a smooth, fluid scrape, and don't press too hard. You may have to experiment to get the pressure right.

Grab your stamper (work as quickly as you can!) and roll it over the image on your plate. Only do one pass, rolling from one side to the other side.

Using the same rolling motion that you used to pick up the image from the plate, press the image on to your nail. Add topcoat and you are done!

*EDIT* I forgot to mention how to clean your plates! Thanks to Julie for mentioning it. To clean your plates, take a Q-Tip dipped in 100% pure acetone and rub the plate with it to remove the polish. It will leave some streaks on the plate but it will not damage it. I clean my plate every two stamps or so, and then obviously when I am finished. *EDIT*

Hope that was helpful for those of you that aren't familiar with stamping. If you want further tips and tricks, check out Rebecca's stamping FAQ post.