Home / Jewelry Making Tips and Techniques / Stamping Tips for Success

Stamping Tips for Success

by Susan LeGuyader
I bought the most beautiful feather stamps from custom design stamp maker, Daniel Urrea. I could't wait to try them out! Here's what my experience has taught me in order to get great stamp imprints.
Instructions
I cut out my copper, put it on my bench block, lined it up the stamp, and hammered.

As you can see from the photos, things did not go well at all.
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, I cut out my copper
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, put it on my bench block
I tried multiple times.

Oh, the frustration! So, I sat there a bit and thought about it.

All I knew about stamping (I am not an expert, obviously) and figured out that I needed to stabilize the metal with the stamp.

And only having two hands was part of the problem.

So I used some blue tape and tried that on the bench block.

I still did not have a good solid impression.
Next up, I taped the copper and stamp together and put it in my vise.

That way, I could just hold onto the metal and hammer away.
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, I tried multiple times.
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, I taped the copper
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, I could just hold onto the metal
SUCCESS!

I finally got a nice deep impression and was able to make my earrings.

Things I learned... the heavier gauge of metal, the better the impression.

Make sure you anneal your metal before you stamp.

Make your metal blank long enough so you have a finger hold and no chance of hitting yourself.

Use a brass mallet, these tools are designed for stamping.

One good whack is all you need, although with the longer stamps, you might need two whacks.

Hopefully my trials and errors will help you with your stamping dilemmas.
Susan LeGuyader's Stamping Tips for Success - , Tools For Wire Jewelry, Stamping, Stamps, Make sure you anneal your metal before you stamp.

Materials

22 Gauge 0.025 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x12 Inch
MET-705.22M
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $15.02
  • Gold Club Price: $11.27
Add to Bag
20 Gauge 0.032 Dead Soft Copper Sheet Metal - 6x6 Inch
MET-705.20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $16.60
  • Gold Club Price: $12.45
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart

Tools

Dead Blow Brass Hammer - 2 lb. Brass Hammer
HAM-456.20
  • HAM-456.20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.97
  • Gold Club Price: $24.73
Add to Bag
Brass Hammer - 1 Pound
HAM-456.10
  • HAM-456.10
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $24.97
  • Gold Club Price: $18.73
Out of Stock
Tabletop Swivel Vise, 3 Inches
VIS-350.00
  • VIS-350.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $22.95
  • Gold Club Price: $17.21
Add to Bag
Add All Items to Cart
  • Category: Tools
  • Technique(s): Stamping

Reviews

Login to post a Review
Login to be the first to review this Tip!