Step 1
(Optional) Buff blank to a matte finish using Matte Finish Buffing Blocks. Use medium grit to create a brushed matte textured surface. Hold buffing block in palm of hand and use even, smooth downward strokes to buff surface to a matte finish. Repeat until desired texture is achieved.
Step 2
Pierce a hole at the top corner blank using the 1/16” punch of the 2 Hole Screw Down Punch. Simply turn the handle of the screw down punch until the punch pierces through the stamping blank. Twist the handle of the screw down punch in the opposite direction to raise the punch and remove blank.
TIP: Make sure not to screw the punch down too much as this will mar the surface of the blank and leave an unwanted impression of the base of the screw.
Step 3
Secure straight stamp guide on the blank. Use guide marks to evenly space out letters and align stamp impressions.
TIP: Write desired message directly onto the stamp guide and utilize the guideline marks for spacing.
Step 4
Place stamp on the blank, above the corresponding mark on the stamp guide. Lightly drag stamp towards the guide until the stamp catches the edge of the guide. Hold stamp flat and firmly in place by anchoring the side of your hand on workspace. Then strike the stamp once with medium force using Metal Stamping Hammer. Repeat to complete desired word. After stamping the first line, move the straight stamp guide and repeat the technique to finish stamping any lines.
TIP: If the stamp has an ImpressArt logo, make sure it is facing you so that the impression is stamped in the correct direction.
TIP: Slightly tilt the stamp towards you while dragging the stamp towards the guide. Make sure you hold the stamp flat and firmly in place before striking the stamp.
NOTE: For lowercase letters g, j, p, q, y: Place bottom of the stamp on the thin horizontal blue line that runs through the guide marks.
TIP: If stamp guide becomes unusable due to rips or markings, then use a new straight stamp guide to complete the project.
Step 5
Stamp design stamps of your choice around the stamped word to further personalize the blank. Use the Tilt & Tap technique to stamp 6mm and larger stamps, or stamps with more details. While applying pressure to the stamp, strike once with medium force. Then without lifting stamp, continue to strike while very slightly tilting the stamp in a circular motion to catch all sides of the design.
TIP: Use a modified version of the Tap & Tilt technique to stamp the 9.5mm Straight Line Stamp by slightly tilting the stamp side to side to achieve the entire length of the line. Note: Place stamping block (with no rubber feet or padding) on a hard sturdy surface when stamping aluminum, brass, or copper with Curved or Line Metal Stamp.
Step 6
Place ball pein texture stamp in the Multi-Function Hammer, with the notch in the stamp facing down. Secure stamp in the hammer by tightening the screw at the bottom of the hammer.
Place blank on stamping block. Hold the hammer with your palm of your hand over the screw and use a couple of fingers, off to the side, to hold the blank in place. Then stamp the edges of the corners on repeatedly with light-medium force until the location is textured to your preferred liking. Repeat texturing technique to texture the backside of the corners that will be curled to look like a page.
TIP: Use stamp tape to secure the blank to the stamping block so it doesn’t move while texturing. You will be able to texture the blank through the tape.
Step 7
Highlight impressions with Stamp Enamel Marker. Wait 3-5 minutes and then wipe away excess from the surface of the blank.
Step 8
Use Round Nose Pliers to round the corners to look like pages. Grab the very end of the top of the corner of the blank between the back of the Round Nose Pliers jaws. Rotate the pliers 90-degrees until the corner is curled.
Step 9
Buff stamped blank to a brilliant, high-shine finish using High Polish Finish Blocks. Use fine grit to quickly clean and polish blanks. Hold buffing block in the palm of the hand and move the block in even, back and forth strokes to remove dirt and dried enamel left on the raised surfaces. Use extra fine grit for buffing to a high shine. Hold buffing block in the palm of hand and buff in tiny, back and forth strokes with light pressure to get a mirror-like shine.
Step 10
Attach a ribbon to the top of the blank using a Lark’s Head Knot. Fold the length of the ribbon in half at the center. Take the fold and slide it through the hole in the blank. Take the two ends of the ribbon and pass them through the loop made by the fold of the ribbon. Pull tight to secure ribbon to blank.
