Creating Cards with Digital Stamps

For this post I wanted to share my experience making cards with digital stamps. Also known as “digis”, these are basically files (digital images) that you print as opposed to stamping which can be used like any regular stamped image but with some limitations. When I saw Alex Syberia’s images I was fascinated by them and I thought they would be perfect for mass producing Christmas cards.

One advantage of working with digital images is that you can adjust the size, add elements to the design and personalize the message or sentiment. I’m not a techie person, so my biggest task was to figure out the correct settings on my printer for the papers I wanted to work with. After several tests, I found that Bristol smooth cardstock and 90lbs watercolour paper worked best. On my printer, I selected cardstock (for the Bristol) and thick or cotton paper option for the watercolour paper (under paper type). I also selected manual feeder, depending on the default settings of your printer, these might have to be reset after every printing job. As you can see, I added a personal message to the design, and I did this by simply inserting a text box. I found that the easiest way was working from a program so I chose Publisher, but you could also do it using Word.

Once I had the images on the paper of my choice, I went ahead and hot foiled them, I did this not only because I wanted to give an elegant touch to the cards, but to be able to colour them using water-based markers. I used Zig Real Brush Markers and they worked fabulous on either paper. I intentionally kept a monochromatic palette for most of the cards and after I finished colouring, I freely splatter some drops of the colour I used on each card. Then, using foam tape, I adhered them to a shimmery piece of cardstock, slightly larger than the main panel. I made all these cards postcard style, so I wrote my message right on the back of them. I completed each card with some rhinestones and clear drops embellishments for a bit of shine and dimension.

Digital stamps are fairly popular among card makers, but I was apprehensive of using them thinking I needed to be good at technology in order to make them work. I now know they are very friendly to use and quite versatile too.

When I shared my cards on Instagram, I got quite a few questions regarding the paper I used, printer settings and such. Full description of the process with details of each step it’s a subject for another post and I’m going to work on that (hopefully including a video) for the new year. In the meantime, if you would like to know a bit more about my experience with digis, you are welcome to contact me, and I will share more tips.

Thanks for stopping by, see you next time!

XOXO