How to Make Digital Stamps

Written by: Brandy A Burgess • Edited by: Michele McDonough
Published Oct 7, 2010 • Related Guides: Microsoft | Microsoft Word | Microsoft Word 2007

Would you like to learn how to make digital stamps? Not only will digital stamps save you money on traditional rubber stampers, but they also allow you to choose from thousands of clip art designs.

Learn About Digital Stamps

Learning how to make digital stamps has become increasingly popular. These black and white digital images can be manipulated,

click to enlarge

printed, and used as traditional rubber stamps. The difference between a digital stamp and a rubber stamp is the fact that digital stamps are simply images. Once printed, digital stamps, or digi stamps, can be colored before being incorporated into a paper craft project. Finished images are great for handmade cards, scrapbooking, and gift tags.

How to Make Digital Stamps

click to enlarge

One of the easiest ways to make digital stamps is to use Microsoft Word software. For this tutorial, I will be using Microsoft Word 2007. Begin by clicking “Insert”, then “Clip Art”. In the Search Box, type the name of the picture you would like to transform into a digital stamp. This could be a flower, butterfly, or any other picture you can find in your Clip Art collection of images. Once you have located a picture you would like to use, click it to make it appear on your page.

Format the Picture

click to enlarge

Next, double click the image you choose to transform into a digital stamp. Performing this action will bring you to the “Format” tab on the top of Microsoft Word. If you are using Microsoft Word 2003, double clicking on the photo will make the “Format Picture” toolbar appear. Next, locate the “Recolor” option near the top of Word. Click the button to see the drop down list. From this list, select the “Black and White” option.

Print the Image and Color

Finish creating your digital stamp by printing the image from your computer. Cut out around the picture to see your finished stamp. It’s best to print the digital stamp onto thick paper, such as cardstock. Color the digital stamp in using colored pencils or markers. If you prefer keeping some colors in your stamp, you can change the color settings using the “Recolor” option in Microsoft Word 2007.

Limitations of Digital Stamps

When using digital stamps as an alternative to traditional rubber stamps, you may fall into some challenges when working with color. Since the images will be printed using regular printer ink instead of special rubber stamp ink, there may be issues with the ink running. Also, there are limitations on what type of materials you use the stamps on. To create the stamps, the surface must be run through the printer. This limits your digital stamps to simple paper products.

In Conclusion

Although they may look different, a digital stamp and a traditional rubber stamp work in a similar way. Both create designs using ink that can then be colored in or left as is. While there are several ways to create digital stamps, using Microsoft Word is one of the fastest and more effective ways.

Resources

http://www.squigglefly.com/tutorials

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/stampps.html

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons: Smial - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Puebla_-_Museo_Amparo_-_Tampon_lapin_Mexica_1500dC.JPG

How to Make Digital Stamps

Learn About Digital Stamps

How to Make Digital Stamps

Format the Picture

Print the Image and Color

Limitations of Digital Stamps

In Conclusion

Resources

Comment