Kapala (Stamp) Stamping and All About It

Kapala (Stamp) Stamping and All About It

Explore the World of Stamping:

In Hawaiian, one word for a stamp (the physical object) is "kapala". We’re excited to introduce our latest collection of kapala and everything you need to create with them! Whether you're looking to add personal touches to your stationery or take your creativity to new levels, we've got everything from inks to rollers to surfaces ready for your stamping ideas. Let’s dive into all the options and tips available for you!

Things You Can Stamp 🖼️

Stamping is versatile, and you can apply your designs to various materials, including:

  • Paper: Perfect for stationery, cards, and gift wrap.
  • Fabric: Customize your clothes, tote bags, or even create a signature pareu.
  • Wood: Ideal for personalized home decor like coasters, signs, or boxes.
  • Stationery: Great for cards to packaging

Tip: Always make sure the surface is clean and smooth for the best stamping results.

Types of Inks and Paints 🎨

Choosing the right ink or paint is key to making your stamped designs look vibrant and lasting.

  • Dye-Based Inks: Fast-drying and great for paper products. These are perfect for greeting cards or journals.
  • Pigment Inks: Thicker and slower to dry, pigment inks work well on both paper and fabric, offering vibrant, long-lasting colors.
  • Fabric Ink: Specifically formulated for fabrics, these inks are permanent after heat-setting, making them great for apparel and textiles.
  • Acrylic Paints: For stamping on materials like wood or fabric, acrylic paints can be a fun and vibrant choice when applied with a foam roller. Make sure you don't let these sit on the stamps for too long or the stamp might get ruined.

Tip: Test your inks on scrap material first to ensure the right color and texture for your project.

Heat Setting 🔥

For some projects, particularly on fabric, heat setting is required to make the design permanent. Here’s how:

  • Fabric: After stamping, let the ink dry completely. Use an iron on the appropriate heat setting (with a protective cloth over the design) to set the ink.

Tip: Always check the instructions for your ink or paint to ensure proper heat-setting procedures.

Example of stamps that are heat set and not heat set going through the wash:

Before Washing After Washing

Care Instructions for Stamps 🧼

Taking care of your stamps will ensure they last for years:

  • Clean immediately: Use a gentle soap and water or a stamp cleaner. Never leave ink or paint to dry on the stamp.
  • Avoid scrubbing: Gently pat your stamp dry with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
  • Storage: Store your stamps in a cool, dry place. Consider keeping them in a box or organizer to prevent any damage.
  • Rewrap Stamps: Rewrap stamps in the papers they came in the ensure they don't stick together

Tip: For a deep clean, especially after using paint, use a soft toothbrush to remove any stubborn residue.

Intellectual Property and Commercial Licensing 📜

If you're using our stamps for commercial purposes, such as creating products to sell, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • Personal Use vs. Commercial Use: Our stamps are perfect for personal projects and commercial projects with this limitation: the stamps may not be digitized and the designs may not be copied.
  • Custom Designs: Interested in using your own artwork or branding on your products? We offer custom stamp services—reach out to us for more details.
Back to blog

Leave a comment