Introduction: Impressed Sugru Stamps
For my mixed-media art, I like to use stamped patterns. I'm always looking for ways to create my own patterns and textures. Enter my local makerspace, Phoenix Asylum, and its Sugru Build Night!
Step 1: Materials
1. Sugru
2. Bases for stamps (blocks and sturdy cardboard tube)
3. Release (foamy soap)
4. Various things for making impressions: this time I used buttons, lace, and a design created with a glue gun
Step 2: Add Sugru to Bases
- Make sure the bases are free of dirt or grit.
One of the blocks still had sawdust on it from cutting it; result = no adhesion and sawdusty blob of Sugru. - Apply a layer of Sugru to the blocks and tube. Flatten the surface as evenly as possible.
- The layer doesn't need to be very thick. Each block used about 3/4 package, and the tube used 2 packages.
Step 3: Impress Patterns Into the Sugru
- Before you press the soft Sugru into your pattern-making materials, apply some of the soapy water to either the Sugru or the patterned stuff. Sugru's pretty sticky, and you want to get the materials off without disturbing the pattern.
- You've got a half hour before the Sugru hardens. If you make a mistake, you can flatten out the Sugru and start again. That button impression was a mess! I flattened it and tried again for the final stamp.
- I wasn't too worried about having a level stamp surface, so I didn't trim off any burrs or bits sticking out or around the stamps. Also, after I'd impressed the pattern, I didn't try pressing the still-soft stamp onto a flat surface to level it out.
- With the lace, I wanted to control which section of pattern ended up on the stamp, so I measured out a complete turn of the tube and marked the starting point on the lace itself.
Step 4: The Proof Is in the Stamping
- Acrylic paint--with a little gloss medium in it--made good prints. I tried some acrylic ink, too, but it was too watery and beaded up on the Sugru surface.
- In some cases, the Sugru did a great job of picking up details: look at those button holes! The lace pattern is a little less clear than I'd hoped, perhaps because I didn't press hard enough when making the impression, or perhaps because the material wasn't thick enough to leave a deep mark.
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11 Comments
6 years ago
Great idea and wonderful results. I am an artist too and LOVE this stuff, but is sooooo expensive in Australia. I use homemade Oogoo which gives a very similar result. Lots of info here on how to make it (including my own Instructable :-)). Also if you add a tiny drop of dishwashing liquid to thin paint or ink, it will help it to stick.
8 years ago on Introduction
If you print a negatif with a 3d printer, you have an instant stamp of... anything !
Not sure if i make myself understandable :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
3D printing runs into the same problems as CGI. Sure you can make infinite amounts of things with enough juice and material, but the world is so much more diverse and varied and that's what is interesting. The small variations that happen with ease in nature are POSSIBLE in a 3d studio, but require a lot of work. It's actually difficult to be random, to get the variation that just happens with organic stuff.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
If you print a negatif with a 3d printer *then make a positif with Sugru
8 years ago on Introduction
Great instructable! A thought on fabrics... I've tried using two-part silicone mold material on fabrics and found that the compound will infiltrate the weave of even the most tightly woven materials...messy results. Then I lightly sprayed the fabric with acrylic urethane (Polycrylic) and let it dry thoroughly. The finish made it much easier to get a good, usable mold.
8 years ago on Introduction
OMG "rubber" stamps simplified finally! No carving necessary. Thanks. Great idea.
8 years ago
Neat application! Thanks for sharing!
8 years ago
pretty cool! maybe for the roll print, instead of the paper tube you could use a wood dowel or roller to apply the sugru to so it is not so flimsy.
8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome technique! Very clever.
Off and on over the years, I've tried to come up with a way to make a roller print that had no obvious seam; looks like your method would solve that.
8 years ago on Introduction
This is such a great idea.
8 years ago on Introduction
What an awesome use for Sugru. This could be really handy idea for scrapbooking.