Tool Time – Rubber Stamping Mat

67 Comments

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I haven’t posted a tool related post lately and this one is also a cry for help, lol.  I use a foam pad to stamp on and it is in horrible shape.   I have a really hard time stamping on a hard surface.  I found this burgundy colored foam mat (looks bad I know) at Michael’s about 100 years ago.  I’m exaggerating now, about 5 years ago and have beat it up pretty bad and it is in need of replacing.  It was actually package as a Rubber Stamping mat and measures 11″ x 16″ x 1/4″.  All I can find for replacement is a piece of fun foam (black piece in pic) that is only about 1/3 the thickness, big difference!  I thought about stacking them, but I would rather just find a source for the thicker one.

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If you don’t use a foam mat to stamp on, you are probably wondering what the heck difference does it make.  Big difference to me.  The give in the mat really helps to make a good impression with your stamp with no missing sections.  I have the mat under my card stock when I brayer too.   Anyone else use one?  I can’t be the only one.  Although after searching for a replacement I may be the only one.  I Can’t find one anywhere!

Here is where you can help me.    Do you have a source?  Let me know in the comment section below so everyone can check it out, please I’m begging you.  Wow, this crazy stamper is sounding a little desperate this morning, lol. 

Hope your day is filled with good impression!

Until my next post. .. . . . . . . .

Michelle

67 thoughts on “Tool Time – Rubber Stamping Mat”

  1. Ineke's avatar Ineke

    Hi
    I just recently dicovered your blog and I take a look every day since….
    I’m always Aaaaaah and oOOOOOh watching.
    This might be the mat your looking for…. sorry couldn’t post a link.
    Ebay item 180245526387

    Ineke

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  2. Rhonda's avatar Rhonda

    Hi Michelle,

    LOVE your work, as always! I have a loarge stamping mat that I bought from Sugarloaf products that is quite old too. They have recently merged with Inque Boutique, and this is the only one they have now. Hope it helps! http://www.goinque.com/asp/product/product.asp?id=603
    By no means do I want to stop you from stamping, I look forward to your posts every day!
    Take care,
    Rhonda

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  3. Kim's avatar Kim

    I have the same red mat and have had it in the back of my mind that I should replace it, but I haven’t seen one in awhile either. I originally got mine at Joanns – I just scoured their website and they don’t have it online. The Ebay link mentioned earlier certainly looks like it. My only concern is that the pad that I have was quite a bit more expensive – like $10 or so. (I know because we bought a bunch of them for a church card-making group and it took us quite a few weeks to save enough coupons!) I’ll be watching this thread to see if anyone else comes up with anything!

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  4. Santell's avatar Santell

    I love your blog! My local Joann’s carries those mats in the rubber stamping section. I tried finding it on their website, but no luck.

    Santell

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  5. Laurie's avatar Laurie

    Hi Michelle,
    I have the same mat, and got mine at JoAnn’s too. It was on a bottom shelf looking rather obscure. I think it had the Darice brand name (I think that is the right spelling, it is the same company that does the heat guns.) Hope that helps.

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  6. Tamara's avatar Tamara

    I didn’t even know you were suppose to use a mat. Will you please let us know what you decide to replace your old one with? Thanks.

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  7. Dianne's avatar Dianne

    Hi Michelle,

    I just recently came across your blog and I love all your creations! You are such an inspiration.

    I use a stamping mat too. It is purple, and new measured about 13 X 13. (I cut it down into 3 smaller pieces). It is by Sugarloaf and I was able to find it in my local ss.

    Good luck with your search!

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  9. Allison's avatar Allison

    I found the mat (think it was even a two pack) at either the Joann’s or the AC Moore in the rubber stamp section… I use them in my printing press (I use it for the large stamps to get a clean impression of the entire thing…)

    good luck!!

    Allison
    Dunlap TN

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  10. Sandy's avatar Sandy

    I should have looked through the blogs before I went searching. I looking up the information that Rhona reported. That’s the one I use. I originally bought it from Sugarloaf and they are not Inque as Rhonda stated. This is the only one I’ve seen.

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  11. Kathie Tice (aka chattiekathie)'s avatar Kathie Tice (aka chattiekathie)

    Hi Michelle,

    I have the same mat that you have from Michaels. I haven’t seen it there lately, but I have seen a similar one at JoAnns – it’s bright yellow, though. Good luck in your search!

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  16. Lori's avatar Lori

    I made my own by running fun foam through my xyron, until I got a thickness that felt right. I looked foreever for a larger mat and couldn’t find one. Good luck in your search!

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  17. Jil L's avatar Jil L

    I use a foam place mat. I got it in the summer section at Target. They get them in every season. They’re really inexpensive. The one I have is really not attractive, but it was $1.00. JIL

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  18. Dawne's avatar Dawne

    Hi Michelle~ I love your blog very much and I appreciate your sharing your techniques and many beautiful works of art! I am replying to your question of the stamping mat-I use one also- I had a thick one too like yours and wore it out. I never found one like it either and so resorted to a mouse pad-the thick ones-it works nicely for me! Keep up the good work-no, wonderful work-you truly are blessed with an artistic gift!

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  19. Gidget-Trish's avatar Gidget-Trish

    I got mine when I was in the States last year. It was either at Joann’s or Hobby Lobby. I can’t remember which store I was in. We don’t have those stores here in Canada so it’s always a treat when I get to shop there. Good luck with your search. By the look of the above responses you now have lots of places to choose from. I also have smaller pads that came in with the See’D stamps sets I bought. Have a great day!
    Trish

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  20. Karen Lindsay's avatar Karen Lindsay

    I use the large-size mat that looks a lot like your red one. I got mine with my See D’s stamp sets. I see someone provided you the link to Ink Boutique. That should do it!

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  21. Lisa's avatar Lisa

    Michelle:

    You can get them at Joann’s fabric. I just went there this morning and saw them in the stamping section. It’s from the Darice company. $5.99 retail. Should I get a class set for when you come out in August?

    Lisa

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  22. Cynthia's avatar Cynthia

    I don’t use a foam mat but you bettcha I’ll try it now. I love your work and if it helps with my brayering Iam all for it. What about a fabric store. They sell different kind of foam by the yard. Check out your local joanns. I saw a foam to cover your dining room table once. Thanks Cynthia

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  23. Lisa Foster's avatar Lisa Foster

    I can’t find one either…my friend has one(that I totally covet) but she got it a million years ago at some craft store that closed…Soooo… I flip my computer mouse pad upside down and use that (it’s an extra thick one)…works ok for stamping, but I’m thinking probably not so good for brayering(too small). Good Luck…hope we both find one!

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  26. Judy Davis's avatar Judy Davis

    You sure did sparke my interest. I had never heard of using a rubber mat when stamping. I do have trouble getting my image to stamp clear all over. I will differently be using a mat from now on. In fact, I ordered one from the Sonshine Craft website. Thank you all for the information.
    Thank you Michelle for your website. You art is so inspiring. I have tried a couple of your cards. I have to say that you step by step instructions are SO good. You have the best tutorials of any I have seen.

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  29. DeanneSM's avatar DeanneSM

    I use a foam mouse pad. Not quite as firm as the mats from sugarloaf. I have a sugarloaf one too, only small, but I think it is too hard. Much prefer the foam mouse pad.

    You could also try the sewing shops – they have foam mats used for wool weaving, made out of the same stuff as the sugarloaf mats.

    goodluck in your search (oh, and thanks for your lovely comment on my blog 🙂 )

    Deanne
    xx

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  30. Martie M's avatar Martie M

    I have one that’s 17 x 11 x 1/4 – in fact, I have 2. Got them several years ago , probably at Michael’s. Have only used one of them. You may have the other one.
    Since we are almost neighbors (I’m in Dayton) surely there is some convenient way I can get it to you. Let me know if you are interested.

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  31. Dawn's avatar Dawn

    Michelle, how about a piece of Neoprene? Does hubby have access to McMaster Carr or MSC….course if Martie gives you one, but keep the Neoprene in mind for the next 100 yrs *wink*

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  32. Jan's avatar Jan

    Hi Michelle, I just bought one two weeks ago at the Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook Expo in St. Paul. For the life of me, I can’t remember the vendor’s name, but I will try to see if either I or my daughter kept our receipts. It was exactly as you describe – same size, same color.

    Jan

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  35. PAT CAT's avatar PAT CAT

    I got mine last September at a Retail Stamp Show in Tinley Park,Illinois. The Vendor was Gary Burlin who is a distributor.
    They are made by Darice, Inc. Inkadinkado also used to sell them.
    If you cannot find one I bought several and would be willing to part with one.

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  36. Germana's avatar Germana

    Dear Michelle,
    I do use one, but I did not buy it, the invention was an accident. When the guys came to lay our wooden flooring, they placed a type of inlay under the wooden flooring, I asked for a piece as I use to play with it many years ago making cartoon faces… so I took it and placed it under the stamping mat and it was so cool to get the images pure specially on the big BG stamps. I am sure it will be available at Home depot. It looks exactly like the one you are showing in your picture. Here in England they sell it by rolls, but I can always send you a sheet, I will be going to the US in June and can carry a specific size and put it in the mail for you. Please let me know.
    Many thanks
    Germana

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  37. Robyn, Maine's avatar Robyn, Maine

    These mats are available at the local shop and they would ship them to you. No problem! Here is their name and phone number. They retail for $3.50 and would ship for actual cost of shipping.

    Your Maine Stamper
    207-3774829

    I absolutely Love mine and also have some cut up for use in classes too. Excellent investment for the money.

    Wishing you all an excellent day.

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  38. Wanda McGlamery's avatar Wanda McGlamery

    I was told by my upline not to use anything except a hard surface to stamp on. Didn’t know you could use a matt. I may try a foam piece and see if I like it, but it doesn’t sound like it would be easy after getting use to a hard surface.

    Michelle, I love your tutorials. TFS them with all of us.

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  39. Lydia Fiedler's avatar Lydia Fiedler

    Michelle – I am fascinated! I stamp on the hard Stampin’ Up! black mat – I had no idea that a soft surface would be better! I guess I thought you would get stray marks that way – I must try it!!

    I have the mats that come with the See D’s from Inque Boutique – looks like yours is thicker.

    Question for you – do you put a paper mat on top of that? Because I’m wondering if you stamp or brayer off the edge of something if it would stay wet on the foam and get all over the project you’re working on.

    Take care and TFS – I’m going to have to try this!

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  41. Becky's avatar Becky

    Hi Michelle:

    I have a yellow mat about the same thickness (or maybe just a tad more) that I got from Michaels within the last 2 years. It has Ranger stamped on it. If you can’t find one, let me know and I’d be happy to see if they still have them and pick one up for you.

    Becky

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  42. Doris's avatar Doris

    I can’t believe how helpful everyone is who posted to help you find a replacement mat! Stampers really do stick together…

    Love your blog and hope you’ll visit mine when you get a chance.

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  44. Julia (artystamper)'s avatar Julia (artystamper)

    Hi Michelle! I use a mat just like yours – that I got at JoAnne’s some time ago – do you have a JoAnne’s near you? maybe they sell them on line – if you can’t locate one – let me know and I’ll go see if I can find one and I can send it to you!!

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  45. Karen's avatar Karen

    Isn’t it funny how we all have our special ways of stamping? I have a very old (probably antique) oak table that my grandparents originally had in their holiday home when I was a child. It has a lot of “give” in it when you stamp on it, although the surface is hard and smooth. It works perfectly for me!
    I adore you work- does that make me a Zindorf groupie? 🙂
    Good luck in your hunt!
    Karen.

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  48. Barb Hardeman's avatar Barb Hardeman

    Michelle, I just love your blog! I’ve subscribed and so get every update. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a stamp mat, but for sure I’m going to try to hunt up something. I love your brayer techniques, and if I lived in CA I would love to take your classes. If using a mat under my CS would help me achieve your look I think it’s worth the money – no matter what the cost. Please post on your blog when you find something and where to get it.

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  49. Elaine's avatar Elaine

    That sort of looks like a product that I’ve seen by Speedball. It’s mean for linoleum carving. I think there is a white version that is about 1/4″ – 3/16″ thick. It was also at Michael’s with the artists tools. I hope that helps~ Love your cards and tuts!

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