Care for: Carefully peeling the stamp when removing from its protective film, will prevent tearing.  Keep stamps out of direct sunlight and long exposures to UV lighting (this includes florescent lights). Keep stamps out of high temperatures. Both of these factors can effect the quality of the stamps.

To clean: It is recommended that you use a stamp cleaner specifically made for cleaning and conditioning clear stamps. These cleaners work best when used together with a stamp scrubber pad. The stamp cleaner that is sold in the Kitchen Sink Store is made by same the manufacture that produces Kitchen Sink Stamps.

Clear stamps may also be cleaned by wiping with a damp soft cloth or spraying with a clear stamp cleaner, letting the stamp sit a bit to loosen any dried ink and then rinsing under cool (not hot/not cold) running water*.    Soap is not recommended. 

Note:* I have also use a very soft baby toothbrush when rinsing under running water to get crusted ink off ... just don’t brush too hard! (this is not a recommendation from the manufacture)

Stickiness: If your clear stamps loose some of their “stickiness” and are not sticking to their blocks the way they used to when new... all you need to do is wipe the back side of the stamp with good old fashion rubbing alcohol. Allow the alcohol to completely air dry. The stamp will now be as good as new. Natural oils from our fingers, ink residue can build up, leaving the stamps less “sticky”.

To dry: clear stamps, I personally recommend patting them dry with a soft cloth, but a cloth that won’t leave any lint behind on the stamp. Then the stamps should be returned to their protective storing place.

The reasons I like (know this is my opinion here) to pat my clear stamps dry instead of letting them air dry is because ...

1) photopolymer stamps are sensitive to UV light, so I figure if I am leave them out to dry, that is more exposure to light.

2) and leaving stamps out, (particularly in my house) allows dust and grim to settle onto my stamps (or to be kidnaped by my 3 year old!). :D

To store: There are a few ways to safely store clear stamps.

•  Keep your clear stamps in between the 2 pieces of protective film from its original packaging.

•  Some people store their clear stamps in DVD tins or CD jewel cases (out of direct sunlight is a good thing).

• And.... I personally keep my stamps in between the 2 pieces of protective film (its original packaging, minus the clear bag) and slip it into a transparent binder pocket, inside a 3 ring binder. (Avery makes these pockets that are acid free and archival safe and you can find them at any office supply store.) I got this idea from Kitchen Sink Crew Member, Dee Jackson who has a tutorial (see it here) on how she stores her clear stamps in a 3 ring binder. This is great for seeing and accessing your stamps quickly.

•  WARNING! Do NOT store your clear stamps where the stamp itself can touch any metal. The metal can cause a reaction in the photopolymer, causing the stamp to break down.

Inks: Kitchen Sink Clear Stamps™ work well with all types of inks**. Staining from some types of inks may occur, but this does not affect the quality of the stamp. Because photopolymer stamps are porous, ink pigments can get imbedded into the stamp, causing the stamp to “stain”.

Note:** If you choose to use an alcohol base ink, like Staz-on, it is not recommended to use the Staz-on cleaner. It is possible that this cleaner may have a chemical reaction and damage the clear stamp.  (This is what I have heard.) When I use Staz-on, I just wipe it clean with a damp cloth or use a stamp cleaner made especially for clear stamps (the stamp will still be permanently stained).

Blocks: Even now and then, your acrylic stamping blocks need a good cleaning. I would suggest whipping them with Windex or rubbing alcohol. Ink residue can build up and prevent the stamp from sticking.