For example, beginners could do triangles, block letters, or stars. Curved shapes or designs are harder to cut than straight lines. You can practice drawing your design on a piece of scrap paper first. Keep in mind that if you have trouble drawing it, you’ll have even more trouble cutting it.
If you’re having trouble, an easier trick is to draw the image normally on a piece of clear paper. Then flip the paper over to trace the mirror image onto your eraser. You can use any color or size of eraser. A thicker eraser will be easier to cut since there’s more to work with, and will hold up better over time. Mirroring is especially important if you’re using numbers or letters.
Cut as close to the line of the design for a more accurate stamp. Glue the eraser to a piece of wood if you want a little more support.
You can use whatever color ink or paint you would like. Look for spots where the color has smudged or showed up somewhere you didn’t want it. If the stamp isn’t producing the image you’d like, clean it off, re-cut it, and then try again.
You can also use stamp cleaner or soap and water. If you have dried-on color, scrub the stamp with a toothbrush and cleaner to remove it. Avoid using anything with alcohol in it. That will dry out the stamp.
If you don’t want to freehand your stamp, draw the shape on the sponge with permanent marker before cutting it. You can buy cheap kitchen sponges at a dollar store, grocery store, or online retailer.
If there are kids helping with this project, have them decorate the sponge handles with paints, glitter, or sequins. Be careful using a hot glue gun. If you get burned, rinse it under cool water immediately. Call the doctor or urgent care if the burn is larger than 3 inches (7. 6 cm) or if you notice any white, brown, or black areas.
If you don’t dab the sponge on a piece of paper a couple of times before putting it on your final surface, you’ll likely end up using too much paint and it will smear or blur together. Choose your paint type based on your surface. For example, if you’re stamping a T-shirt, use fabric paint. If you’re decorating a wall, opt for interior wall paint instead. Pour the paint into a tray or shallow dish to make it easier to coat the stamp.
You should only hold your stamp on the surface for about 3 to 5 seconds. Otherwise, you risk over-saturating the print. When you go to remove the stamp from the surface, lift straight up, trying not to drag or smear the stamp.
If the paint dries and hardens on your sponge, the stamp will be ruined and you’ll have to create a new one. You can use either warm or cold water.
To choose the size of your potato, look for one that can fit the cookie cutter you’re using at its widest portion. You can also use sweet potatoes to make your stamps. A serrated knife is the best for making a clean cut in the potato. If you want to be able to grip your potato better, sculpt a small handle at the top of the potato by cutting 2 grooves on either side, leaving a piece to hold onto.
Metal cookie cutters are sturdier and easier to push into the potato. The sharper side of the cookie cutter, also known as the imprinting edge, is the side that should go into the potato. If your design is asymmetrical, like a word, be sure to flip the cookie cutter so you push the mirror image into the potato. That way, when you stamp the picture, it reflects back to the proper picture.
Cut through to the cookie cutter as you drag the knife around the potato so the slice is easier to remove. The slice needs to be thick enough that you can paint the top of the stencil design without getting smudges from the areas of the potato that aren’t supposed to have paint.
If necessary, use an X-Acto knife to touch up any shaping around the outline of the stamp or remove any additional pieces of potato that you want to.
If you’re stamping on paper, use watercolor or acrylic paint. If you’re doing it on a wall, go with interior wall paint, and if you’re designing on textiles, try fabric paint. You can also pour some paint into a tray. Dip the cut side of potato into the paint, then dab off some of the extra before stamping the design. Make sure every nook and cranny is painted properly.
If you move the stamp while you’re pushing down or if you press down too harshly, you’ll smudge the final print.
