Make your own Rubber Stamps!

A few months ago, I got addicted to this magazine – Mollie Makes, which got me started on crocheting. In the magazine, they invited readers to submit their own craft ideas and mine was lucky to be picked for a feature. Click here to view my tutorial on Rubber stamp making!

I first picked this up from a book I bought in Japan about 5 years ago, and despite hopping around from hobby to hobby, this has been one of those I love doing once in a while, as it is pretty therapeutic. You have to really concentrate and not think about anything else, and watching the flakes of rubber fly off, is something that reminds me of school and sleepy afternoon classes.

 

The reason for choosing this craft is because it is simple, supplies are easily available (you probably already have a penknife and an eraser at home), you don’t need to be super creative or skilled, and the resulting product is always unique. With a rubber stamp, you can add such a nice personalized touch to any crafting project. I’ve use the rubber stamps on greeting cards, envelopes, even name cards. If you can get hold of fabric stamp pads you can also stamp it on fabric like how I did to differentiate the girls’ socks cuz they both wear the smallest size and all the socks get mixed up!

Here are some of the rubber stamps I made. My little one has been drawing the cutest pictures of rabbits, bears and little girls, and I’m going to try to convert her drawings into rubber stamps so she can have her own set of stamps! I’m thinking of stamping it on plain canvas so that it because her own “designer fabric” and making it into a little bag/pouch. Too many ideas, too little time! :)


Just some of my favourite stamps made over the past few years.

If you are  interested in making your own rubber stamp, here are some products you will need to get you started (Aff links)


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33 Comments

  • Clover
    February 25, 2012 - 11:15 am | Permalink

    hi, did u used normal erasers or craft use erasers like from Hinodewashi brand? I was think of making a rubber stamp for my sewing crafts but i need a very big piece of eraser, at least postcard size. The normal used eraser isn’t big enough. Do you have any idea?

    • yifarn
      February 25, 2012 - 2:13 pm | Permalink

      Hi, Are you in Singapore? I use both cheap erasers for smaller stamps but I also have some larger erasers (postcard size) from Japan. I’ve seen them at NBC bookstores in Singapore. It’s a Japanese bookstores with branches within Kino and shops at Ngee Ann City and Raffles City basement. I’ve also seen larger erasers for stamp carving in Daiso. Not as big as postcard size but larger than credit card size. Hope that helps!

  • xueli
    March 4, 2012 - 8:33 pm | Permalink

    hi are you from Singapore? I’ve just started on stamp carving after I bought the eraser from daiso, but I do not have the correct tools. I saw online about lino cutters, is that what I should use? And where can i get it? help me please :D

    • yifarn
      March 5, 2012 - 9:47 am | Permalink

      Hi Xueli, Yes I’m from Singapore. I actually bought my cutter from Artfriend or Popular, not sure which one, but both of them carry. It’s Olfa brand design knife http://www.olfa.co.jp/en/body/detail/71.html They sell the spare blades too so you can change it when it gets blunt. You might want to try Artfriend first, as not all Popular bookshops may carry it.

      • xueli
        March 5, 2012 - 9:21 pm | Permalink

        Thanks a lot!! I shall make my way to Artfriend this weekend :D

        • Jaslyn Yeo
          December 18, 2012 - 3:18 am | Permalink

          if u want to save money, you can use a penknife too :P otherwise, u can use those normal carving tools that arent too expensive! I got my box of carving tools at only $5. it comes it alot of sizes :)

  • lim
    March 7, 2012 - 10:06 pm | Permalink

    hi,

    i would like to check if you have any idea where to buy big rubber carving stamps, in sizes like 15cm this big… i have did all small images before, would like to do a big one for a friend… and also would like to purchse them in large quantity for a mission in overseas with the kids…

    hope to hear from you soon… need your help urgently..

    thanks in advance.

    best regards,
    lim

    • yifarn
      March 12, 2012 - 5:14 pm | Permalink

      Hi Lim,

      Hope I’m not too late. I’m not sure if you have checked out NBC bookstores as mentioned in an earlier comment. But that was the last place I saw the Japanese erasers in 10x15cm sizes. I’m not sure if they have it in stock though, so do give their different branches a call first to see if they do? Hope that helps.

      yifarn

  • Min
    March 9, 2012 - 1:41 pm | Permalink

    Hi hi,

    Chanced upon your blog recently while searching for Puti De Pome fabric, and absolutely love your blog!!

    May I know if you have any link to this rubber stamping skill? And where can I find fabric stamp pad? I want to identify the socks of all my 5 kids too!

    I also notice you have very nice fabric collection. Where do you usually get from?

    Many thanks for your answers, and have a great weekend:)

    P/s I am from Singapore too:)

    • yifarn
      March 12, 2012 - 5:23 pm | Permalink

      Thanks Min! The first time I picked this hobby up was from this Japanese book that I bought in Japan, but I believe they are available in Kinokuniya. I’ve also found similar books translated into chinese. For example 橡皮章創意生活 and 橡皮章生活雜貨

      My fabrics are usually from fabric.com, sometimes etsy shops, and from my trips to Japan. And sometimes from spotlight when I need something urgently or when there is a sale :) I would love more Puti De Pome fabric though, let me know when you find it! So far I’ve only found Japanese sources online, but the shipping will be expensive :(

      • Sy
        July 11, 2012 - 7:59 am | Permalink

        Hey yifarn, fyi- I actually got a puti de pome fabric from marlin textiles at Chinatown. Quite cute but I still have no idea how to use it cos the border print is not in the direction I’d like it to be in. Heh.

    • yifarn
      March 12, 2012 - 10:14 pm | Permalink

      Hi Min, I forgot to answer your question about the fabric stamp pad :) You can get it at any scrapbooking shop like papermarket, made with love, or even Kinokuniya stationery section. There are stamp pads for paper and also stamp pads that are for fabric,paper,wood etc. The stamp pads are usually labelled with the intended use. Do note that you will need to set the ink before washing. Just wait for the ink to dry and iron over it for about 15seconds. The usual brands are artnic and versacraft. Happy Stamping!

    • Jaslyn Yeo
      December 18, 2012 - 3:22 am | Permalink

      Hey yifarn! I do sell the rubber stamp block of sizes at 19.7cm to 15cm! I have instocks cos I carve stamps too :D oh, and if u r buying the fabric stamps (it’s kinda late) but versacraft ones are better. :D cos’ they are smaller, and cost like $4.5 for the small ones so u can save on money for the ink! :D

  • April 16, 2012 - 7:28 pm | Permalink

    hello!
    found your blog(s) through How About Orange ^_^ love your helpful posts and projects. im a great fan of japanese sewing books as well :) anyway, i don’t usually comment but i saw your comment regarding Puti de pome fabric. just want to let you know that i bought the exact same fabric in this post (http://blog.cottoncandy.com.sg/2012/01/a-new-bag-using-puti-de-pome-fabrics) from Golden Dragon Store in Chinatown, People’s Park. im not sure if they still have it but it’s worth checking out in future for more such fabrics, which are really gorgeous indeed :)

    esther

    • Cotton Candy
      April 17, 2012 - 9:03 am | Permalink

      Hi Esther! Thanks for letting me know! I’ve also recently discovered that Sin Mui Heng at Textile centre also sells Japanese fabrics. And they have a branch in Chinatown where they do quilting classes. I haven’t explored Chinatown fabric shops since years ago when I started sewing, and all they had then were solids and polyester, or else kiddy prints that were not very nice. But that was at least 7 yrs ago. Looks like I need to go check it out soon :)

  • April 17, 2012 - 4:17 pm | Permalink

    yes, you totally should check out chinatown! :) Malin Textile (http://www.facebook.com/MalinTextile/photos) at chinatown also brings in japanese fabrics and i think you will definitely be heady with excitement :) :)

    i will go check out Sin Mui Heng as you suggested :) Nice meeting you!

    esther

    • Cotton Candy
      April 24, 2012 - 9:28 am | Permalink

      Looks like Chinatown is the next place to go! Word of caution though, Sin Mui Heng sells fabric at $18/m and $5 per fat quarter…. ouch… :(

  • July 1, 2012 - 11:26 pm | Permalink

    Hi! So glad to discover a fellow Singaporean (and mum) addicted to stamp carving. :D Like you, I picked it up from a book by keiko koma. That was 7 years ago! I remember the frustration as I searched all over Singapore for cheap and good materials to feed my addiction. In the end I turned to overseas suppliers. I think I must have tried about 10 types of rubber blocks and even more cutters! :P Anyway, I now have a shop on etsy for my handcarved stamps. And I agree that it is a craft that is so easy to just pick up and do without creating a giant mess on your work desk. ;)

    I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.

    Happy happy crafting and carving!

    • Cotton Candy
      July 3, 2012 - 8:45 am | Permalink

      Hi Jo! Wow, your store looks amazing. So you are also a stay at home mum? I haven’t carved for a while. Still have some large blocks sitting around. Too many ideas but too little time! :)

      • Jaslyn Yeo
        December 18, 2012 - 3:27 am | Permalink

        Hey there! I may not be a mum but I’m a novice in carving! But I’m carving for friends and family and am really in love with it! May I know your etsy shop? U can email me at zcrozzing@gmail.com n we can share our stamp carvings! ^ ^

        Oh, by the way, I bought the book from Taiwan! You know tt very big chen ping shu dian (in taipei). i think its translated from the original one written by a japanese author. It really cute! It’s based on the theme of carving stamps and design gift wraps and clothings for young kid! I got so inspired! There were many books regarding carving there too! you guys should go check out! :D

        • Cotton Candy
          January 2, 2013 - 10:03 am | Permalink

          I love 誠品書店. One of my must go places when I visit Taipei. :) I think one of my carving books is from there too. You can find them in Kinokuniya too at the chinese book section. There are quite a number of books both from Taiwanese authors as well as translated from Japanese.

  • January 15, 2013 - 9:54 am | Permalink

    Hello! Nice to meet a fellow Singaporean who’s into crafting :) I managed to find the large pieces of rubber for carving from Daiso, they’re 10cm x 8cm, blue on one side and yellow on the other.

    I post my rubber-stamping work at my blog over at thecraftyloufoo.blogspot.com, please feel free to visit and comment!

  • Nur
    January 23, 2013 - 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Hi,

    I chanced upon your site and I love your stamps. Do you happen to sell them?

    • Cotton Candy
      January 24, 2013 - 8:46 am | Permalink

      Hi Nur, Sorry I don’t sell them, just make them for fun :)

  • Kd
    February 25, 2013 - 4:38 pm | Permalink

    Hi!

    I chanced upon your blog while googling for pigment inks. Really glad to know you’re another fellow Singaporean! :)

    Can I ask, are we able to use pigment inks for fabric? Will the colour run after washing?

    Just discovered this new interest of mine in rubber carving and I’m really eager to learn more!

    Hope to hear from you soon!
    Thanks! :)

    Kd

    • Kd
      February 25, 2013 - 4:52 pm | Permalink

      *and also, where can we purchase the pigment ink pads like Artnic and Versacraft in Singapore? And how much are they?

      • Cotton Candy
        February 25, 2013 - 5:30 pm | Permalink

        Hi Kd, Artnic and Versacraft can be found at Kinokuniya bookstore stationery departments, NBC bookstores, and I’ve even seen it at the stationery department of Isetan (also run by NBC). I think they are also available at scrapbooking shops (too many to name!)
        If you are using for fabric, make sure you buy the one for fabric. Some of them will say “for fabric” in english. But the Japanese packaging ones will show “布用“ for example http://item.rakuten.co.jp/voice/vks-k01/

        You will need to set the ink by using a hot iron (without steam) before washing. Then it won’t run. The stamps on my girl’s socks have been holding up for more than a year and still going strong!

        • Kd
          February 27, 2013 - 12:39 am | Permalink

          Thank you for your kind reply! It is really helpful! :)

          I’m so glad I chanced upon this rubber stamp crafting and I’m so eager to start carving my own stamps!

          Really glad to chance upon your blog as well, all the yummy crafts you have here!
          Have a great day ahead! :)

          Kd

  • Rasidah
    April 14, 2013 - 1:35 am | Permalink

    Hello. How are u. Can I ask where do u find the fabric stamp in Singapore. Need it to stamp in my children’s clothing a to differentiate them.

    • Cotton Candy
      May 8, 2013 - 10:42 am | Permalink

      Hi Rasidah, you can buy both the rubber stamp blocks and stamp pads from Kinokuniya stationery department. The last time I went (a few weeks ago) they still had it in stock. they sell the whole kit too.

  • Kate
    December 3, 2013 - 10:27 pm | Permalink

    Hi, i understand we can get the carving rubber block from kino and daiso. May i ask if you know kino still carries it or which outlet of daiso has it? I tried asking around at tampines daiso. But the staff dont know what rubber I’m talking about and I couldn’t find any :/

    • Cotton Candy
      December 4, 2013 - 10:22 am | Permalink

      Daiso’s stock is quite erratic, but I have definitely seen it at Liang Court Kinokuniya. You can call them to check first before going down to be sure.

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