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Creating a perfect stamped image on your craft project is unfortunately not as easy as it may sound. Blurred outlines and smudged images can all too easily ruin a project you've worked hard to create. The following ten simple steps will hopefully enable you to produce perfect images every time:

1) Choose good quality rubber stamps with wooden tops that have curved sides. The reason for this is that they wooden tops add gentle pressure when you stamp and the curved sides allow you to grip the stamp firmly minimising the chances of your stamp moving around on the paper distorting your image.

2) Choose an ink pad or pen specifically designed for use with craft projects. Ink pads that have been manufactured for use with, for example, office stamps may have too much or too little ink in them to produce professional stamped images. Pens, those that aren't designed specifically for use with rubber stamps, may not adhere to the stamp well enough when applied to produce a complete image when stamped.

3) When you use an ink pad, always apply to your stamp from above. If you've never heard of this before I know it will sound a little strange but I assure you that this is an absolutely vital technique used by professional crafters. To avoid mashing your stamp around on the ink pad, you need to lay it on its back and stamp from above every time.

4) If you want to produce a multi-coloured stamped image, use stamping pens to colour in your stamp appropriately in one go. Trying to line a stamp up to perfectly sit on top of an image you've already stamped is near impossible for even the most accomplished rubber stamper.

5) Always ink your stamp on a flat surface. Whether you're using an ink pad or pens, to get the best possible coverage you should lay your stamp down flat rather than on top of a pile of supplies or attempt to hold it in your hand.

6) Ensure the surface underneath where you're going to stamp is clear and completely flat. Even a tiny chip in a work surface can ruin a stamped image. If you're not convinced your work surface is flat, slide a hard backed book or cutting mat underneath where you're going to stamp.

7) Apply the stamp in a single, downward motion to avoid blurring or distortion. This may sound obvious, but if you've been having difficulties with smudged images, look at how much of an angle you're currently stamping at and try to bring your stamp down as directly vertically as possible in future.

8) Never wiggle your stamp around in the belief it will give you a more solid image. It won't, it'll give you a smudged one. To apply pressure to your stamp you should hold the curved edges with the hand you apply the stamp with then apply gentle pressure from the centre of your stand by slipping your spare hand under the bridge of your stamping hand.

9) Remove your stamp as vertically as you applied it in one swift motion. All it takes is a tiny flick of your wrist as you remove your stamp to smudge the edge of your image.

10) Allow your image to fully dry before continuing work with your project. Whether you want to colour the image in or simply embellish around it; it's best to set the whole thing aside for three to five minutes to ensure it's completely dry before you continue.

Learn more about this author, Eleanor O'Donnell.
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