This sites goal is to provide you with valuable information about metal stamps (sometimes known as embossing stamps) and the different types and uses. Metal stamps and jewelry stamps are available in different designs and sizes and leave a permanent mark on metal and a variety of other surfaces. They are easy and fun to use. Consider adding them to your arsenal of tools. Use this information as a guide to advance your metal and jewelry stamping education and skills.
There are various manufacturers and choices of metal stamps that will offer different types of options. Metal stamping tools are made out of steel, brass, magnesium and acrylic. Metal stamps are used by hobbyists as well as in industrial applications such as identification of tools. For hobbyists metal and jewelry stamping can produce a natural organic look and you can personalize your art.
An example of using jewelry stamps for a hobbyist would be stamping a pets paw and pets name on a charm. An example of using metal stamps in an industrial setting would be to stamp a serial number on a tool.
What are metal stamps?
Metal stamps are long and spiky looking or maybe resemble a thick nail. There is a relief of the design or character on the end of the stamp. You position the stamp directly over the metal where you want the mark to appear. You use a bench block (or anvil) to hold your piece of metal you will be marking. Then with a chasing or ball pein hammer you hammer at the top of the stamp which will apply the weight and pressure necessary to accept the mark. You can mark metal such as 24-gauge sheet, copper and sterling silver or aluminum and you can even mark clay. You can also mark leather, plastic, wood, suede, and other types of materials. Metal stamps are relatively easy to use and can be used many times and are easy to clean.
Tips on using metal stamps
Here are some tips on how to use metal letter stamps: Hold the stamp straight and make sure it is not tilted at any angle, grasp the stamp firmly so it doesn’t slip. Hitting the stamp too soft will produce a shallow mark and conversely hitting to hard will produce too deep of a mark. Don’t hit the stamp twice as you will get a shadow no matter how well you reposition the stamp. There are ways to make the mark of the stamp stand out. You can apply an oxidizer solution that works within seconds and then you rub off the solution with a polishing cloth and you have a deep dark black mark that makes your mark stand out and is easier to read.
There are many stock designs available in metal and jewelry stamps that can add a creative and artistic effect. They also can be custom made for your specific design or logo. The most common form of metal stamps that can be purchased is complete alphabets, numbers and punctuation in various fonts such as block and script, they come as a set and most come with some kind of storage, most commonly a wood storage box. Common size character impressions are 1/16”, 3/16, 3/32”, 1/8”, 1/4” and the shanks average about 3 ½” long.