Craft Stamps
Handmade cards, gift tags, journal pages and scrapbook layouts all start with a good stamp. Browse the collection by theme below: holidays, animals, botanicals, travel and everyday occasions. Planning December cards? Christmas stamps are the place to start, while Holidays & Seasons gathers Halloween, fall, Valentine's Day and spring designs in one place. New to stamping? The tips further down cover ink, paper and care.
How to Choose and Use Craft Stamps
Start with the occasion, then build around it. A seasonal set makes cards, tags and favor bags come together quickly: Classic Gingerbread and Evergreen Holly for December, Haunted Ghost and Creepy Spider Web for October, or Pierced Arrow Heart for February. For projects that are not tied to a date, the theme collections cover farm and woodland animals, garden flowers and foliage, campsites and world landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal.
Build a card from two or three stamps
Choose one main image and one or two accents. Stamp the main image first, let it dry, then add the accents around it. A greeting from Sentiment or a handwritten line finishes the card. Mixing themes works too: a Cute Owl beside a Classic Maple Leaf makes an easy autumn note.
Ink, paper and a clean impression
Smooth cardstock keeps line-art crisp. Tap the stamp on the pad instead of dragging it, press straight down with steady pressure, and lift straight up. Try every new design on scrap paper first. Pair your stamps with craft stamp ink pads in the colors your project needs.
Make it personal
Have artwork of your own? Turn it into one of our personalized art stamps, or browse the full Simply Stamps collection for address, signature and business stamps.
Craft Stamp Basics
Which ink should I use for craft stamping?
An ink pad made for paper crafts is the usual choice. Dye inks dry fast and suit everyday cards, while pigment inks stay wet longer, look richer and need extra drying time. Test your ink on a scrap of the project paper first, so you can judge the color and check for smearing before the real piece.
Which paper gives the sharpest image?
Smooth cardstock keeps fine lines crisp. Textured paper can break up thin details, and very thin paper may show ink through the back. When you are unsure, stamp the same design on a scrap of your project paper and on a piece of smooth card, then compare the two before you commit.
How do I clean and store a craft stamp?
Clean it soon after use, before ink dries in the details. Blot on scrap paper, wipe with a damp lint-free cloth, dab instead of scrubbing, and follow your ink maker's directions. Let it air dry completely, then store it away from heat and direct sunlight.