So you've decided to try nail stamping?
It's a super fun hobby that you make as simple or as elaborate as you want. This is a list of my favorite stamping tips when first starting out.
- Be sure to remove blue film from plates...sometimes there are even 2 layers.
- Make sure you're using enough polish. It will dry fast, so you need more than you think. Use cream stamping polish for best success in the beginning.
- If there is a fan/heat/ac vent running nearby, it may be drying the polish out too fast for you to pick up. Consider turning the fan off or closing the vent.
- If polish seems very thick and hard to work with, a tiny amount of thinner can be added. Stay away from thinners with heptane as it can eat away at glitter over time. The fairies make one that is safe for all polishes; both stamping and regular.
- Don't over-scrape or scrape too hard. The messy stuff on the plate doesn't usually pick up on the stamper. If it does, you can use scotch tape, a lint roller, or a dotting tool to remove it before applying to your nail. You can also use these items to clean off your stamper if you make a mistake. Scotch tape or a dotting tool is great to isolate designs or remove excess images.
- Scraping gently at an 45⁰ angle helps with not removing too much polish. This is especially good for fine lines and small solid areas. Use even less of an angle, like 20°, when working with plates with a large amount of negative space.
- Do not press hard with the stamper. It's just a "kiss" or light roll across the image. NO Hulk Smash.
- Roll your stamper in the opposite direction of your scrape. If you scrape at an angle, just roll your stamper up.
- Experiment with different stampers (ice cube, monocle, etc.) some pick different types of designs better. I find a monocle stamp is especially good for finer lines. It really is trial and error.
- Sometimes if you're having trouble picking up a design, it may be because you need to clean your stamper. Usually it is enough to just use scotch tape or a lint roller. You can also wash it with a little bit of warm water and dish soap and then allow to dry on some paper.
- Occasionally a stamper head that doesn't pick up is too oily. You can leech out the excess oils by placing the heads face down on computer paper with a lightweight book on top to press them against the paper can help. Just be sure you don't leave them there so long that all the oils are pulled out or your stamper head will get too dry and crack...a few hours is fine.
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Super important. You may hear someone say you need to buff/rough up the stamper before it will pick up. This is NOT true with silicone stampers. You will damage it.
- Sometimes pick-up is difficult if your plate is cold. I keep a folded towel handy to put the plate in to warm it up before paying polish. It can really make a difference.
- Scrapping can sometimes be tricky. If you are having difficulty, try a different scraper or scrape in different directions. Some plates/designs are picky about how/what scraper you use. Old gift cards make great scrapers.
- Be sure your acetone is pure acetone. The only ingredients in it should be acetone and denatonium benzoate. If there is anything else in it, it will leave a film on the plates that prevents pickup. Good ones are Onyx (Wal-Mart or Amazon) or Beauty Secrets (Sally's).
- After cleaning your plate, if it bothers you that it looks streaky, you can use some alcohol to bring the shine back or even buff it with a soft cloth.
- Use a product like Bibbidi Bobbidi Smooth (followed by Glasswing Glaze) to go over more textured polish for the smoothest surface when stamping.
- If you've used a good quick dry top coat (HELLO Glasswing Glaze), you can also remove stamping polish easily with some alcohol or scotch tape. It may dull it a little, but you'll be top coating after you stamp anyway. For this to be successful, you really need to be sure your polish is fully dried. I usually paint my nails one day and then stamp them the next.
- If you over stamp around your nail, scotch tape makes for quick and easy cleanup. I also like the pointed cotton swabs. There are also products like a brush on mani mask or nail tapes that can help.
- Remember to protect your stamping with a smudge free top coat before your final top coat. You don't want to ruin your hard work. Fine mist aerosol hairspray also works in a pinch. Just lightly spray at a distance of 6-8". You can even ad a second coat after the first dries. Glasswing Glaze works well over most smudge free. You really should still use a light hand when applying top coats over stamping. Don't drag the brush or go over the same spot multiple times.
- Some companies make a cotton grabber to clean plates while you work. That way, you don't mess up any work you've already done. A clothespin or strawberry huller works well as a substitute.
Remember this should be a fun relaxing treat for yourself. Consider listening to music or an audiobook while you stamp. You could even get some friends together and make a party out of it. It really feels good when you're out and about and someone compliments your nails, and you can say, "Thanks, I did them myself!"
Creatively yours,
Fairy Roz
