There are many ways to store your unmounted stamps. The beauty of an unmounted stamps is the fact that they take up SO little room, which allows for LOTS more of them, in a small amount of space!! lol
The absolute easiest way to store unmounted and cling foam mounted stamps is in CD Cases (not the slim line ones, the regular wide ones)!
No more searching for that little flower stamp that was ‘here a minute ago’. Stamps fit so nicely in these cases, and you can store then in cd stands for quick access! Going to a crop? Grab the cd case of choice an out the door you go! To keep track of what’s in your cds, number them, and keep a numerical list printed out!! To get a copy of my stamps by code number, click here!
I currently have over 90 sets stored in these 3 cd racks. (you figure most of my sets have 8-10 images in them, we are talking somewhere in the range of 800-900 rubber stamp IMAGES stored in this small space!) One of the racks is a plain wooden cd crate I bought at Michael’s and stamped and colored with markers.
Best place to find cd cases? Ask your friends! Especially those who have gamers in their household. Typically they take the cds out of the case and store them in Cd books and guess what? They usually just throw the original cd case away!! Big Lots ® often times has these cases $ 2.50 for a 10 pack! Can’t find them anywhere else? I sell them on the accessories page!
How to use the cd case storage:
If you are using a method that does not make your stamp sticky backed (ie, double sided tape) the simplest way to store your
stamps in the cd case, is to use long strips of double sided tape IN your cd case. Usually about 3 strips on each side of the cd
case will do it. Then just stick your stamp to the strips of tape. Done!! For tips on using the glue method, click here!
All other methods that require either glue on the back of the stamps, or the cling mount, don’t need anything on the inside of the cd. Just stick them on and close the lid.I can store unmounted rubber (that have NO foam) on both sides of the inside case and close the lid with no problems, for MOST of my sets…I do have a few sets that are thicker, so I store them one set per case.
Foam mounted stamps are thicker so you will only be able to store them on one side of the cd case.
Best way to Index UnMounted Stamps?:
CD case: Be sure to keep the paper insert that comes with your stamps. It’s so handy when inserted into the cd case. You can see exactly
what your images look like. Adhere it on the outside of the cd case, or layer it in between the stamps inside the cd case. If you don’t have an index sheet, make your own by stamping the images onto a white piece of paper cut to fit the cd case. (reader tip: or try using StazOn and stamping directly on the lid of the cd case)
Use a labeler or small white labels to label the edge of the cd case, so you can see what sets are in it when the case is stored.
Use baskets to store your sets, or cd stands. Just be sure that the cds don’t lay on top of each other, as the added weight can damage the stamps underneath.
The versatility of transparencies!-Scan in the insert you get with my stamps, (or stamp your unmounts on a sheet of paper
that fits the cd case). Now print that out on transparency setting. You get a clear print out of the stamps!! VERY handy when you
want to see if the stamp will fit in a certain place, or if you are having a tough time deciding which stamp to use…simply lay the
transparency on your stamp base. If you are happy with it, ink the stamp, line it up with the trans, carefully remove the transparency and
press your stamp! Be careful when you line up your stamp, you want to hover over the trans, not lay right on top of it. Store your
stamps on the (not printed) side of the trans too! You always know if you are missing a stamp!
What to do with over sized/large stamps that just don’t fit in a cd case, and notebook options.
Store stamps in pizza boxes on 12 x12 page protectors, or 8.5 x 11 and put them in a notebook.
I can get about 9-12 x 12 layers in ONE pizza box!!
Clear Envelopes:
I buy these at Target. They are in the office supplies area, are about 9 3/4 x 5 5/16 inches, and cost about 99 cents. Slide the index sheet inside the envelope and toss the cut out stamps in there too. Very quick method of storing them. Some of my customers use this method, and just use the double sided tape on their blocks. With no glue, no clingy foam, you save A LOT of time this way.
Open, there is room enough to store several sets. I store 8 sets of clear stamps in this one!
Stampin Up Plastic boxes:
You can store about 4 layers of stamps in these sturdy plastic boxes! Use a sheet of acetate cut to size to seperate the layers! (tip submitted by Brenda Loock)
Large Folder Type Envelopes:
These are nice sturdy cardboard type envelopes that I get at the Dollar Store. They are about legal size, and I use them for the large 8 x 12
sets of stamps. I use a sheet of cardboard (cut up cereal boxes) inside the bag they come in, and stick the stamps on the outside of the bag. I can fit a bunch of layers of stamps in these pocket type envelopes.
closed
open with a set of stamps inside.
Plastic Accordion Folders:
Usually available during the “Going Back to School” specials, these accordion folders are perfect for storing large sets of stamps. With multiple pockets, I store ALL of my large sets in this one. (8.5×11, 6×9, 5.5×8.5, and the ATC set are ALL in here, and there is PLENTY of room for more sets). Again, I use cut up cereal boxes inside the plastic bag to make it sturdier.
Notebook/Binder Ideas:
If you use a notebook, get the kind with the zipper around it.To add some sturdiness to your page protector, insert a piece of cardboard (the ones that come with paper orders, or cereal boxes, work great!) into the page protector.Stick the stamp on the outside of the page protector. Slide the index sheet into the page protector, or stick it with double sided tape to the opposite page in the notebook, and then stick the stamps in the opposite/corresponding place.If you don’t have an index sheet, stamp the image on white paper
so you know exactly where to replace it when you are done!
Binder Storage: Each page protector has cardboard inside. The left side has the index page adhered with double sided tape. The right side has the corresponding stamps. These binders (made by ‘CASE’) cost $3.99 (on sale? lol) at an office supply store. (Office Max I think) Try getting them when school starts, there is always a good deal on zipper binders then.
Clip It Up
This storage system consists of a round, turning, “tree” with arms that have clips at the ends, and you simply store your stamps in the bags, that clip to the ends. I’ve been told you can store about 80 sets in VERY small area…I have not tried this system, altho it DOES sound intriguing….Fran at Frantic Stamper carrys this system. I would think to just store stamps, you would only need the bottom tier, altho if you have small enough sets, the top tier would come in handy…..if any of you try it, and want to share your results and photos, I’d love to post them here. Thanks!!
(link above will take you to her site, where you can view several pix of this system, and place an order if you desire)
NEW IDEA: Jumping off the clip it up idea, I saw a pic on a site that used a curtain rod/towel rod, and metal curtain clips to store stickers and rub ons…kept them all at her fingertips……..wonder if you could hang your stamp sets this way??? hmmmmm…..
Old Fashioned Photo Albums…you know the ones no one wants to use anymore? with the sticky pages? These are perfect for storing your UMs on!! Since these pages are covered in plastic sheeting (and the newer ones have no PVC in them) you can just stick your stamps on top, and go! Put these pages into a binder type 3 ring, and you have zero risk of loosing any stamps!
Here are a few pix sent in by my new DT gal, Julie W. She uses those cling pages from the old style photo albums, here are her pix and notes:
Binders-both open, showing the cling sheets, she removed from the photo album, and placed in the binders.
Close up:
These just show a couple of the zipper binders. I use either Tombow Multi glue or Plaid repositionable glue on the backs of the unmtds. I spread it on and let it dry. So far, I haven’t had to reapply it. They still stick great to acrylic blocks and to these old style peel and stick photo sheets. I like these because they are stiff enough to hold the stamps and I place the pics of the images on facing pg under the plastic sheet. Makes it easy to move the pics around if I rearrange the stamps.
Ideas submitted by readers:
-I pick up cheap pencil pockets at dollar stores and big lots, and store sets of acrylic stamps and some rubber sets as well. I think that you could get more than on set in them too. by Susi
-I had some wooden cd racks, and used the plastic cd cases as shelves! I can make the space bigger or smaller as needed! WALLA!!! Submitted by Betsy
originally posted on my old website, in 2006. Updated in 2008
UPDATE: ANOTHER great idea! click here!
