DIY Acrylic Stamping Blocks--Zero Dollars

By: Diy maven Aug 17, 2009

Acrylic Stamp Block Set Of 3

As a card maker, I do love a good rubber stamp. I have a bunch of the old fashioned rubber/wood variety, but for some reason I've put off buying the clear, re-positional stamps. The stamps themselves are MUCH less expensive than the rubber/wood stamps, but to use these re-positional stamps you need something to position them ON. That would be the acrylic block shown in the picture above. How does a penny pinching crafter get around this additional expense? She makes her own acrylic blocks. Well, actually, she asks her MWT if he can cut some leftover Lexan into appropriate-sized blocks, and THEN she makes her own acrylic blocks.

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created at: 2009-08-17

The Lexan (also Plexiglass or any old acrylic sheeting would work) was 1/4" thick, which is kind of thin for an acrylic stamping block. To get around that, I had MWT cut 2 blocks of each size I needed and then I used 4 snot dots--placed in each corner--to stick two of the same-sized blocks together, and voila....stamping blocks that are now a very usable 1/2" thick.

created at: 2009-08-17

AND they cost NOTHING!! If you don't have Lexan, Plexi, etc. laying around, you can find it at your local hardware store. One large ready made acrylic block would probably cost as much as a big sheet of Plexi, which could make a half a dozen DIY alternatives. The only thing to keep in mind when cutting the stuff is you need to use a STATIONARY SAW. Jig, table, band...all will work. A handheld jig could work too, but the blocks won't be as uniform. Also, with the smaller blocks, watch the digits!!!!!!

Tagged : acrylic, stamping, stamping-blocks, scrapbooking, rubber-stamps

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You're very welcome Diane!!! Happy Stamping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diane
Jan 21, 2010

Got a bunch of blocks made...........tons of sizes! Whoo Hoo ! They caem out really good ............now, it's time to go stampin' !

Thanks for your help !

Diane :)

We made 3 sizes. One that's 1 1/2" square, for small stamps, one that's 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" for larger stamps and one that's 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" for border stamps. Those sizes seem to cover every stamping situation! The clear stamps cling, just like window clings, so you can peel them off and stick them back on the blocks when needed. I didn't sand or bevel the edges. That first picture in the post of the blocks with the wavy edges are actually the store-bought kind. I don't find the square edges uncomfortable, so not having the waves isn't an issue for me. I didn't put grid lines on mine, but you easily could. Maybe use a fine-toothed hand saw to etch them in place...? Also, don't forget that each block consists of two squares/rectangles that are snot-dotted together. I think that's about all the pointers I have!

Diane
Jan 14, 2010

OH, and do you sand your edges ?? Do you bevel your edges ?? Do you put grid lines ? Give me some more pointers before I get started please !!

thanks again

Diane :)

Diane
Jan 14, 2010

Hi and thanks for answering so quickly !

How did you do the cute little scalloped edge Block ?? Looks comfortable to hold.....

I actually found the 2 pieces of Acrylic at a 2nd hand store ! I paid $1.00 for a piece 12" x 24" and .50 cents for a pice 8" x 24". That should give me plenty of blocks !!! Do you have some favorite sizes ? I'm trying to make a list of sizes for my DH to cut for me. With the Acrylic I have, I can cut just about any sizes I want LOL

what are you using to "stick" your rubber stamps to your blocks ?

Thanks

Diane :)

Hi Diane! First, woo-hoo on having some acrylic on hand!! We used a fine-toothed (60-toothed) carbide blade. If you don't have carbide, you could use whatever fine-toothed blade you have, however it'll kind of chip/break/fracture as it cuts. Let me know how it goes!!