7 of Our Favourite Craft Stamps

Stamping is a super easy craft to get started with and can be used to create all sorts of beautiful, colourful designs on cards, gift bags, scrapbooks, journals, and much more. If you’re being introduced to stamping for the first time, we’ve put together a list of our favourite craft stamps and some essential tools to help you get started.

Which tools to use with stamps

Other than the stamps themselves, there are some additional tools you’ll need to help make your stamping a success.

Most craft stamps are unmounted, so you’ll need either Crafter’s Companion Rock a Blocks or a stamping platform such as the Crafter’s Companion 8×8 Magnetic Stamping Platform. These tools help to apply your stamp to your chosen material with precision and accuracy.

One of the best things about stamping is the amount of colours and effects you can play with! There are so many different types of ink pad for you to choose from, each offering a different look and effect. From shimmering metallic and rich opaque pigment ink pads to innovative alcohol and waterproof pads.

Finesse Ink Pads make it so easy to add colour to your stamped designs.  For example, if you favour alcohol markers, use Finesse Alcohol Proof ink pads to stamp your image and colour using the Spectrum Noir Classique or Illustrator markers – the alcohol-proof ink keeps the outline crisp and clear. Alternatively, a Finesse Waterproof inkpad combined with Aqua Markers or watercolour paints will give you a nice clean outline and won’t bleed even when you paint over it. Here’s a guide to Spectrum Noir Ink Pads to help guide your choice. 

Finally, make sure you’re always using high-quality, acid-free stamping paper or card to ensure your designs don’t bleed, smudge, or deteriorate over time. 

1. Centrepiece stamps

Centrepiece stamps are just as they sound – gorgeous detailed illustrations to create a readymade feature on your project. They can be used for cards, gift bags, scrapbook spreads, wedding stationery, home decor, and so much more. 

From beautiful butterfly stamps for baby shower cards to floral well-wishes or inspiring hot air balloons, find the perfect stamp no matter your project.

2. Embellishment stamps

Just like with any other craft, embellishments help to bring your whole design together and add a little something special to projects. Embellishment stamps are a great way to add smaller details that work together to create a scene or can be used individually as cute illustrations for scrapbook pages or card designs.
Embellishment stamps usually come in themed sets such as the Farmhouse Simply Thankful set which features multiple different farm-themed stamps and sentiments. Browse our full stamping range to find the ideal embellishments.

3. Sentiment Stamps

If you don’t know how to say it out loud, say it with sentiment stamps. Featuring ready-made messages for inside and outside of cards, gift bags, and scrapbook pages you can really let them know you’re thinking of them. Find all kinds of stamps for various occasions including (but not limited to) Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and much more. 

Make personalised cards and gift bags for any occasion with a range of different sentiment stamps such as Happy Birthday messages and Words of Endearment. And, if you want to say it all, Take a look inside The Ultimate Verse Compendium by Crafter’s Companion

4. Layering stamps

For stamped designs with tonnes of detail and dimension, layering stamps are a must-try. Use your layering stamps with a stamping platform to line up each layer perfectly and create stunning multilayered designs ready to colour. 

The Natures Garden Farmhouse stamp and die kit features a jar and doily design with beautiful flowers to put inside. Use your stamping platform to create perfectly layered stamps and your die-cutting machine to cut them out to use on the fronts of cards or in your scrapbooking spreads. Another wonderful design is the Meadow Wreath stamp which can be rotated and layered up with different colours of ink to create a gorgeous wildflower wreath design for cards, wedding stationery and more.

5. Border & Frame stamps

Sometimes your project needs a special frame or border and there’s a stamp for that too! Sets such as the Gemini Stamp and Die Butterfly Frame and the Vintage Diary Antique Frame allow you to create beautiful frames around your sentiments or centrepiece. Simply use with a stamping platform to line them up perfectly and create lovely and unique designs in a flash.

6. Stamp & Die sets

Stamp and Die sets are a great way to create fun embellishments and 3D decoupage elements to your projects. Sets such as the Gemini Balloon Sentiments and the Gemini Staycation Happy Camper sets consist of themed, matching stamps and dies that can be used together, resulting in gorgeous cut-out elements for cards, gift bags, scrapbooks, and other projects.

Top tip: They will require a die cutting machine to make the most out of the cut-out elements.

7. Background stamps

Sometimes you just need to fill in some blank space and background stamps are the perfect way to do this. Add texture and dimension with a stamped background on cards, scrapbook spreads, and many other papercraft projects.

If you love journaling or scrapbooking, the Letter to You background stamp set is a great way to prepare the page for other written notes, photos, and memories. If you love to create stories within your projects, the Lee Holland Woodland Trail background stamp is a fun way to create scenes and tell stories – simply use an alcohol-proof inkpad and alcohol markers to create a colourful backdrop for characters and doodles to take a stroll in the woods.

We hope this guide has helped you discover some fun stamps and exciting new additions to your craft kit. Browse our full range of stamping essentials and make sure to explore our Beginners Guide to Stamping to get to grips with this super-easy and enjoyable craft. Make sure you show us your makes by sharing your photos with us on Facebook UK, Facebook USA, Twitter, Instagram UK, Instagram US, Pinterest UK or Pinterest US using the hashtag #crafterscompanion.