By Maria Loomis, Artistic Guide

If you are a die hard rubber stamping enthusiast you may be thinking…“What is digi stamping?”…”Why are digi stamps becoming so popular?”… “Why should I consider adding them to my paper crafting tool box?”

I will attempt to answer these questions and more. Hopefully, I can help you think outside of the “rubber stamping” box just for a moment. Who knows...you may want to broaden your paper crafting horizons and try out a few free digi stamps for yourself.

So What Is A Digi Stamp Anyway?

A digi stamp is a black and white digital image, created by the artist and then formatted into a soft copy computer file. Digi stamps are sold online and can be instantly downloaded to your computer.

“Digi stamps” or digital images are usually formatted as a JPEG or PNG file and are available with a high resolution, typically 300 dpi, which means that they are formatted to print high quality images.

You may be familiar with JPEG files if you have worked with digital photo images. The difference between a digi JPEG file and a digi PNG file is simple. A JPEG file, when downloaded, has a white background around the image. However, a PNG file is transparent. Because PNG digi stamps are transparent, they can be layered over one another such as a flower over a stem. JPEG digi stamps cannot be layered. PNG files can also be printed on colored or patterned papers. When purchasing digi stamps, you will usually get both file formats.

Note: Digi stamps are not considered clip art files. While some clip art is available with a high resolution, other pieces of clip art have been designed for web use which means that they have a lower resolution.  A lower resolution image will not give you a quality printed image. Make sure you purchase digi stamps or digi images with no less than 300 dpi.

Once digi stamps are downloaded to your computer they can be used in a number of software programs. Most everyone has Microsoft Word on their computer. Microsoft Word is the software program I use with my digi stamps. Digi stamps can be inserted into a word document, resized, flipped to create a mirror image and more. I have created a few digi stamp video tutorials using My Grafico digi stamps that Stamper’s Quest will be sharing with you soon to help you through this simple process. Stay tuned!

Since these digital images are typically black and white outline images, paper art enthusiasts can add color and other embellishments after printing in the same way that a rubber stamped image is colored.

So…the main difference between a traditional rubber stamp and a digital or “digi” stamp is…

1. Your image is not printed using your hand, a rubber stamp and a black ink pad…there is no physical stamp involved.

2. Your image is downloaded to your computer, inserted into a software program to manipulate the image, and then formatted to print on paper, cardstock, watercolor paper, vellum, or transparency film, using your computer’s desktop printer.

So What Is This New Digi Stamp Craze All About?

Well…there are definitely some pros and cons when it comes to digi “stamping.” For some, the positives will overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives. You will be the best judge on whether or not you will jump on the “digi stamp” bandwagon.

Pros…

1. Lower in cost than traditional rubber or clear stamps. This is because no physical stamp is purchased... just the right to use the image.
2. Many digital stamp companies and artists offer free samples or digital stamps to demonstrate their work and to let you try working with them.
3. The artist or stamp company does not need to worry about minimum order levels in order to break even on stamp production so many smaller and independent designers can offer their work as digital stamps.
4. They can be purchased from anywhere in the world and instantly downloaded. Many digital stamp companies and artists accept payment via PayPal and it is simple to make payments in a variety of currencies. There is no cost for delivery which is a cost savings.
5. Digital images are stored on a computer and can be archived onto a cd for easy space saving storage.
6. “Digi stamps” can be manipulated on a computer prior to being printed.
7. They are environmentally friendly and use limited physical resources. There are no wasted packaging materials.
8. Copic markers, dye-ink or water based markers, chalk, watercolor pencils, watercolor inks, gel pens, alcohol inks, colored pencils, Stickles glitter and acrylic paints can all be used with printed digital stamps.

Cons…

1. You will be printing your images using normal printer ink and not a special rubber stamping ink. Printer inks may need time to dry and could smear when coloring in images. However, it is possible to heat set printer ink using a heat tool or apply a light spray of fixative before coloring in images with great results.
2. Because digital stamps are printed from a printer and not stamped with rubber stamping inks, special effects that are achieved by using these inks are difficult to achieve. This includes any techniques that impress an image into a surface such as stamping into clay, velvet or other materials. Techniques such as heat embossing or other techniques that require materials to be applied to the ink can be difficult to achieve. However, you can outline your printed image with an embossing pen, apply embossing powder and heat set as normal.
3. The main limitation of digital stamps is that they are only suitable for projects where printed images can be used. This means that using digital stamp images on surfaces that cannot be run through a printer would be difficult.
4. Digital stamps are more "high tech" than traditional stamps. A computer and printer are necessary as well as a basic knowledge of using digital images. However, most sites offering digital stamps include downloading directions.
5. Some digital stamp companies and artists have an angel policy, others use licensing terms that may be unfamiliar to stampers. Commercial licenses, for instance, may be necessary for stampers wanting to sell work created with a digital stamp. A customer typically purchases the right to use the image purchased, not own the copyright of the image. The copyright of an image generally remains with the artist or stamp company. When a customer buys a digital stamp, they are in effect buying a license to use that image. When purchasing a digi stamp, the angel policy or license agreement will be included and will clearly state how that image can be used.

Why Should I Consider Adding Digi Stamps
To My Paper Crafting Toolbox?

If you are like me, I love a good paper crafting challenge. If you have a computer and Microsoft Word, then try downloading a free digi stamp from the My Grafico website.

I have included a few of these free image links below:

Bird Silhouettes By Sarah Paris

Perched Birds By Black Leaf

Ornate Hearty By Sarah Paris

Cat Hug by Jehanne

Next...grab a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa, and spend some time viewing all my digi stamping video tutorials  that will be posted soon. You will learn how easy it is to use these images to create cards using paper, cardstock, vellum, and even transparency film!!!

Are you convinced?  Go ahead....think outside the box!  You may enjoy the process so much that you will want to expand your digi stamp collection.  I can tell you from personal experience that while I love my rubber stamps and will continue to use them, digi stamps have become my new addiction!

So Where Can I find Digi Stamps?

You can “Google” and find digi stamps to fit your personal style…whether your stamping style is cute, artistic, vintage, contemporary, or eclectic. They sky is the limit.

The images used in the cards I created in this article can be purchased from My Grafico:

Mix and Match Stems

Spring Fairy Set

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave your comments. Visit my blog at www.velvetinkcafe.blogspot.com, or email me at loomismaria2@gmail.com