How to Make Your Own, Unique Rubber Stamps for Crafts, Gifts, Scrapbooking, and Art Projects

A look through some of the projects in specialized rubber stamping craft books reveals some amazing imagery and ingenuity. Commercially available stamps have come a long way in a short time. Just a few years ago they were all fairly primitive, cute, and unsophisticated: teddy bears, hearts, daisies, etc. But now there are many with complex, intricate, and inspired designs. Stamping is essentially a contemporary take on the ancient woodcuts, which were some of the first methods used in printing of any sort. Although there are many forms of artistic printing processes, with carrying degrees of complexities, (eg woodcuts, serigraphs, lithographs, etchings) most have the same basic premise--a three-dimensional impression transferred onto another surface, usually via some sort of medium, such as ink or paint.

Because its premise is so easy, and the results so powerful and pleasing, stamping lends itself well to DIY projects. And creating your own, unique rubber stamps takes it a further profound step, beyond that fine line at which the craft can morph into art. The materials used and overall process are so easy, that its an appropriate art project for children as well as adults. Use the easy instructions and ideas here to create your own rubber stamps and art projects.

Materials needed:

Rubber erasers
Linoleum cutter and handle
Paper
Ink
Regular craft or office scissors
Fine point black or dark Sharpie

Optional materials:

Fixative
Small, flat rock or piece of wood
Strong craft glue (such as Mod Podge)

Notes on materials: