How to design for rubber stamps

Rubber Stamps have a great appeal because they are ageless, don’t require knowing how to draw to make your own creation (kind of like printmaking), and there is a really low learning curve. To top it off they can be applied to so many different surfaces: paper, wood, ceramics, fabric, candles, stone, and clay just to name a few. Literally instant gratification. Instant fun!

Step 1 Manufacturers- self vs. companies

The first step is deciding if you want to design for manufacturers (that is what this article is written towards) or if you would like to self produce your designs.
There are many stamp companies that take submissions from designers. If you go to http://www.addictedtorubberstamps.com/ShopManufacturers you will see a lot of different brands you and approach to submit your designs to sell and manufacture.
Addictedtorubberstamps.com is an online retailer selling multiple brands.
If you want to produce them yourself there are many places on the web that make one-ups. Do a search for rubber stamps and you will fine them. Be sure to put the word rubber in front of stamps.
Either way is great depending on if you want to be the manufacturer yourself or just the designer.
The biggest (at this time of writing) retailer is Michaels stores out of Texas. They are an example of a retailer/manufacturer that buys designs outright. Go to their website for submission information.

Comments

[lemonie]

This reads like "talking about rubber-stamps", there's a lot missing from how to design rubber stamps.
E.g., while we can guess / Google, you don't really say where/how you are getting these made (which is a large part of why you talk about various things).
You also say that it’s really helpful to know a little about the methods used in stamping, but you give no more information about these than their names, and none about how they should affect designs.

L

[jeannenedesign]

Thanks Lemonie,
It is written for people who already illustrate and design. I need to make it much more basic and comprehensive.
Thanks!
Jeannene

[lemonie]

Yes I thought there was a fair amount of assumed knowledge. For people who don't already illustrate and design a bit more would be helpful.

L

[SHIFT!]

I like your pictures but is this an instructable to show how to design stamps? I'm slightly confused.

[jeannenedesign]

Yes "How to design for rubber stamps" is an article that a designer who wanted to create stamps would use.
I'd love to hear what confused you. It would help me if you elaborate.
Thanks!