Stamping Tips and Tricks


Here are some tips for achieving the best results in stamping metal.

1. It is generally easier to stamp thicker sheet rather than thin sheet.  This is because the stamp needs to be able to sink down into the metal sheet.  We suggest a minimum thickness of 20ga (1mm).  Stamping very thin sheet is essentially like hammering your stamp directly against your anvil and can cause problems.

  • It can damage your stamp and dent your anvil.
  • It can actually cut through your silver causing it to get stuck in stamp's design.

If you need to stamp thin metal, you can place a business card or a thin piece of card stock between the metal and the anvil in order to give the stamp room to sink down into the thin metal.  (See image below) 

Card Stock Trick (Try it!)

2. For larger stamps, use a heavy steel hammer.  We use a 3 lb hammer.
(Brass hammers are not useful except for very small stamps.)

3. It is important to use your anvil or stamping block on top of a solid table so the force of your hammer is not absorbed.

4. If your metal has been annealed, it will be more soft and easier to stamp.

5. Stamping is a skill which must be mastered with repetition.

Here is a short video which shows these tips in use. 

Thank you,
Jim and Blondie

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