DIY Stamp Pad Tips & Tricks

I just love a DIY Stamp Pad! They’re so easy to make and use, plus they can provide a big wow to a simple project!

I recently shared some projects made with a DIY stamp pad and thought it might be helpful to go into a little more detail about why I love my DIY stamp pads and why you might too! Here are three that I have recently made:

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

Get started with the following supplies:

  • An empty stamp case or other sealed container
  • ReInkers
  • A piece of White Felt
  • A spray bottle
Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

For the DIY stamp pad today I used four ink colors.

I applied these colors using reinkers in concentric circles as shown below.

Important Tip: The width of the circles in the graphic below are intentional! When you’re making your own ink pad it’s best to apply the lighter colors over a larger surface area than the darker colors. The reason for this is that the ink will move in the felt over time, and the darker colors will tend to overshadow the lighter colors.

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

In this next example, I’ve used three colors. You may be able to see in the photo below, that in certain spots around the top half the lighter purple is barely visible.

That’s because, the Gorgeous Grape, the darker of the two purples, sort of overshadowed the Highland Heather, the lighter purple.

This is what I consider to be a WOW effect with very simple stamping!

What you see below is a single stamped image, but because I’ve used my own DIY stamp pad, I get multiple colors in the one image, making it a lot more interesting and fun. Now this image comes from the To A Wild Rose Stamp Set, which will be in the New 2019 – 2020 annual catalog in June. There are actually three additional images, plus a center image that can be stamped over this one image so you can get some awesome depth and dimension!

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

This next stamped image was created using my DIY stamp pad, plus I’ve stamped two additional images over the top, including a second layer of the rose image, and the center image.

I think it’s pretty gorgeous and a great example of what you can do with just some of the images in this stamp set!

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

Here’s one more example of a DIY stamp pad. It’s the simplest of the three.

The die cut image you see here is stamped with just one image from the To A Wild Rose Stamp Set.

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

Here are some of my favorite things about my DIY ink pad method.

You can…

  • Use whatever colors you like, and the number of colors that you choose.
  • Place the colors wherever you want them on your felt.
  • Mix colors.
  • Put inks on your felt in whatever configuration you choose. For my recent projects, I’ve used concentric circles because it fit with the image I was using. With that said, the ink can be applied in lots of different ways!
  • Label and store your DIY ink pad for future use.
  • As long as you create a label with the colors used, it’s easy to reink your pad and use it again weeks or months later.
  • If it hasn’t been very long since you last used your DIY stamp pad, you can spritz it with a little water to bring it back to life. Then decide if it needs more ink, or not.

Check out the To A Wild Rose Stamp Set and coordinating Wild Rose Dies here. I’ve shown a few additional stamped pieces made with my DIY Stamp pads.

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

In case it’s not obvious, the Stampin’ Up! clear mount stamp cases are perfect for this homemade ink pad and here’s why!

  • It’s just the right size.
  • The case is somewhat air tight, so the ink pad won’t dry out too quickly.
  • The case will lay open and flat when being used.
  • There’s a clear plastic sleeve over the outside so the stamped example, and label with colors, can be inserted inside, so it will stay clean and dry.

Are you just dying to go make your own DIY stamp pad now?

If so, here’s a quick tip reference guide to the basics covered in this post:

Learn several of my favorite things about making, using and storing a DIY Stamp Pad! Get a big wow even with a simple project!

So I’ve made several projects with these homemade ink pads. I’ve shared some of them here on my blog. Here are some links:

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today and Happy Crafting!

Melissa 🙂


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Check out the 2019 Occasions Catalog PDF below.

Check out the 2018 – 2019 Annual Catalog PDF below.

Stampin' Up! AnnualCatalog 2018-2019

The following products will be available on 6/4/19 when the New 2019 – 2020 Annual Catalog goes live:

  • To A Wild Rose Stamp Set – Item #149452
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About Me Page

I am a seeker of that crazy, excited feeling that comes when you've created something that’s unique, beautiful and expresses who you are in some small way. It’s like making a new discovery, when you find a unique combination of color, layout, dimension and texture. I call it a creative spark and it makes me giddy! Through sharing and teaching I hope to help others find this amazing feeling of creative bliss!

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