Rollagraph Stamping

Because scrapbooking and rubber stamping share so many common elements, rubber stamping techniques are being found on more and more scrapbook pages all the time. Rollagraph stamping is a quick and easy technique that can add a unique and beautiful touch to any of your current projects.

If you're not familiar with Rollagraph stamping, allow me to give you a quick introduction to the tool and basic technique. The stamp design itself exists on a wheel, which is placed into a special handle along with an ink cartridge in a color of your choice. The stamp is then rolled against the paper for a unique and continuous design. Because the handle automatically inks the stamp, your design won't stop until you pick up the stamp-- no need to keep inking and reinking your stamp. (Rollagraph stamp wheels, handles, and accessories can be purchased from many rubber stamp stores, as well as via direct sales companies such as Stampin' Up and The Angel Company.)

Try using a Rollagraph stamp in one of the following ways:

• Roll a continuous background design on cardstock to create your own patterned paper.

• Use to create holiday gift tags and customized wrapping paper.
  
  
• Create a frame or decorate a mat for a special photograph.
  
  
• Add borders or dividing lines to a scrapbook page.
  
  
• Repeat your design on multiple pages of the same album to create continuity.
  
  
• Add a decorative edge to an envelope or package before mailing.

Once you get started, the possibilities are endless. Rollagraph stamps, handles, and ink cartridges come in three [K1] basic sizes: mini, standard, and jumbo. While wheels of all sizes work well on all kinds of projects, the jumbo wheels are particularly effective for creating all-over designs, especially on large papers.

While the basics of Rollagraph stamping are easy to grasp, sometimes you may encounter a problem or two. Before you give up, check out these troubleshooting tips:

Uneven or inconsistent inking?

• Make sure the ink cartridge is completely pressed up against the stamp, and that the entire surface of the ink roller is exposed.
  
  
• Use firm, consistent pressure while rolling your stamp.
  
  
• If your ink cartridge is older, try replacing it with a different color, or use a reinker to add more color to your ink cartridge.

Crooked Design?

• Make sure your stamp wheel is completely snapped in to the handle and that it is rotating freely.
  
  
• Slow down. Going too quickly is one of the easiest ways to let your design veer off track.
  
  
• Place a ruler on your paper where you'd like your design to be, and roll against the edge to keep your line straight. (Stampin' Up also makes an exclusive wheel guide specifically designed for this purpose.)

Following these quick and easy tips can help you add beautiful designs to your pages using Rollagraph stamps in no time at all. Whether you're a card maker, an altered-book artist, a scrapbooker, or all of these, Rollagraph stamping is sure to add a unique flair to your next project.

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