What's this about UNMOUNTED dies?
There are several layers to a rubber stamp. They are:
Most companies sell unmounted dies (without
the cushion and handle) for half price and half shipping. This
saves you, the stamper, quite a bit of money. It also means you
have to do a little more work to use your stamps. Of course, if
you cannot handle sharp tools without inflicting hemorraghic wounds,
read no further. For those with average dexterity and craftiness,
continue on.
Rubber cushion can be hard for a civilian to acquire. We do offer
cushion to those who mount their own stamps. It's $3.75 for enough
double stick foam cushion( 9 by 12" sheet called Superstick)
to mount your Grab Bag. We're happy to include mounting instructions--just
ask.
Wood Handles most people can improvise. Wood is fairly easy to
obtain and our favorite local places are wood shops and picture
framing stores. Our preferred is rock hard Maple, but any hardwood
or even Pine will work fine as long as it is smoothe and doesn't
have any sharp edges or splinters!
Acrylic handles are really nifty as they allow you to see thru the handle and align the image very precisely. Acrylic handles are very tricky to find outside of the rubber stamp venue, and most of the window shops that sell sheets of acrylic really don't want to mess with cutting small blocks for a civilian. Definitely not a back yard project for the uninitiated, as acrylic is glass-like and the shards that fly-off of a circular sawblade are lethal! Also, putting a hour glass shape on the edge of a handle is best left to the pros, as acrylic routers are not a toy for the novice.
Magic Cling utilizes a vinyl interface used with acrylic handles for a TEMPORARY system of mounting small to medium size dies. This is a very clever product first shown to the Poets by Michael Meador of Coffee Break Designs back in 1994. I have gone thru a few generations of foam and adhesives to the current configuration. This is an ever evolving product.
For further details about our hourglass acrylic
handles, Superstick foam cushion & Magic Cling vinyl backing,
check out the accesssories gallery.
These are superior products at some of the most competitive prices
on the net or anywhere, for that matter!