We are always getting lots of inquiries as to the best way to assemble our stamp sets once they arrive. Since we had so many *newbies* make purchases this release, I thought I would share a little tutorial on the easiest steps to take in this quick & easy process!
When you receive one of our $15, $18 or $24 stamp sets, they come with index labels that you can adhere to the stamp set to the acetate it comes on or a separate case (which you would need to purchase separately).
A $15 set generally has one index label and a $24 set two. One of the labels will have a spine title, noted by the rectangular frame around it. You want to trim this from the rest of the label using scissors, a paper trimmer or craft knife. Whichever way you choose to cut, just be sure that you do it fairly close to the black outline so that it ends up being thin enough for the spine.
Once trimmed, just peel and stick the title to the spine of the CD case, as shown here.
Next, you will want to apply the label you just trimmed the spine title from, to the front cover of the CD case. Do NOT peel away the paper backing all at once, you will want to remove it gradually. Start by peeling back about 1/2" of the paper backing and adhering just that portion to the edge of you CD case cover. This is your chance to make sure that it is nice and straight.
Fold the entire label over onto itself and start pulling downward, pulling the paper backing out as you go. Since you have the label folded over as you are pulling down, the pressure of that keeps the label nice and flat, with no chance of air bubbles.
At the very end, just pull the very last of the paper backing out. Front index label now complete! If your set has two labels, the remaining label with get applied to the outside back cover in the same manner as described above. A little tip to remember, when you have very long stamp images in the set, it is best to apply the label so that they are running horizontally. This gives them a bit more room on either end.
After you have applied your label(s), it is time to put your stamps inside the case. Just peel each of the images carefully from the acetate housing sheets and match them up with their index label counterpart on the interior of the case. Once in a while you might need to adjust the arrangement a bit, but all of the images should fit within the case.
Here is the completed assembly. One more additional note, when clear stamps are brand new, the two layers of stamps can sometimes stick together after the case has been closed. After the images have been broken-in a bit and used, they will no longer do this, but in the interim, you can cut both of the acetate housing sheets to fit in between the two layers if you like, one sheet for the left and one sheet for the right.
I hope a few of you will find this helpful as you prepare to ink up your brand new purchases! Enjoy!
For those of us who are a little older, and don’t always want to try and hunt down our reading glasses, I have taken to printing out a copy of what’s in each set from your web site. I find I have trouble reading many of the smaller sentiments in the sets when the label has the stamp behind it in the case. I would love a printed copy of what’s in each set to come with the sets so that I could just flip through the sheets and remind myself where a certain sentiment is! (Just a thought for those of us still trying to pretend that we don’t need to keep our reading glasses permanently around our necks!)Thanks:-)
Michelle,
We won’t most likely be including a second form of an index along with our stamp sets due to cost prohibitions, but you could adhere the index sheets to white cardstock and create a binder that way if you aren’t using the current labels on the cases. Or you can always continue printing them from the website as well. I hope you find a system that works well for you.
~Nichole
Thanks for the tutorial on putting set storage together. I’ve been putting it off on the sets I’ve bought, but now I’m motivated to tackle it.
Love the suggestion of a copy of what’s in each set as well. I’m always searching for the best sentiment and can’t remember where they are!
Thanks for the guide. I also have another newbie question…it says to rub the new stamps with a “good quality” eraser–do you mean like a magic rub white eraser? How much “stuff” am I trying to take off? I tried inking up some mixed messages sentiments last night after erasing & cleaning them, and I just could not get a solid, clean print of some of the words.
Meg,
You just want to use a good quality art eraser, preferably white. You don’t need to erase too much, just enough to remove any residue on the surface of the stamps from manufacturing. If you still have trouble getting a clean image even after using the eraser technique, you can just ink and stamp repeatedly on scratch paper and usually after 5-6 times, they are good to go. Good luck.
~Nichole
LOL – I am soooooo LAME!! I thought your packaging was non-functional because I could not get the hard acetate sheets to fit in the cases…but you take them OFF the sheets and put them on the inside of the cases…makes a LOT more sense….and takes up less room; thank you for this!!
That’s a wonderful tip on how to transfer the decal to the CD case! I have always pulled it off and hoped I wouldn’t get too many bubbles when I would stick it on! Thanks – now I know!
this just ads one more layer to the awesomeness of this company! I am new to clear stamps. I love storing them in a cd case! who knew?!
Wow! I just got done doing this with the 5 sets that came in the mail today… too bad I didn’t check your blog first! Would have made things go a lot smoother with the wonderful tips you have provided! 🙂
thank you for this! i am certainly not a newbie anymore, but just wanted to tell you that this was fabulous!
thank you!!!
chelle
Now we can all add “Mind Reader” to your title of Queen of Awesome Stamping Products and Designs! After receiving my first order of delicious goodies yesterday, I carefully muddled my way through adhering decals to one set. Phew! I decided to wait (I didn’t know for what) before I attempted any more, and what do I find today?! These wonderful instructions, for which I am most grateful. No wonder so many people hold you and your company in such high regard. Thank you so very much for all that you do.
great tutorial, thanks for taking the time!
Wonderful tutorial Nichole! I might just add a little thing…..instead of using the acetate in between the layers of stamps, I use the backing off of the label. Since it is white, then I can see the layers of stamps on each side a lot better. It works for me anyway!
What a terrific tutorial. I also use the waxed white backing for the labels to use inside my cases. Really does make it easy to read the stamps and they do not stick to them. Love the way you explain the details for everyone. Papertrey Ink is truly the best! I am hopeful that my order will arrive tomorrow.
thanks for putting this together. the visual was really helpful. too bad i already put my set together……not the way you described here. oh well, there’s always next time. thanks again! :o)
Wow, I wish I waited to see this! I’m a Papertrey newbie, and got my first shipment of 10 stamp sets and 4 sets of cardstock yesterday, and totally screwed up the first label on my cd cover! Once it’s on, there, it’s on, unless you peel it off, and the label gets that frosted look! Arrrgggh! I later on did do the ‘slowly roll the label on’ method. The stamps are awesome, clean cut, and so glad that I didn’t have to do much cutting of excess….what to buy next…..
Can we purchase this type of labeling for older sets? Seems like you addressed this a while back, but I can’t find it. Thanks!
I take a narrow piece of light colored card stock and put on the inside binding of the CD holder that way it is easier for me to read the label.
Thanks for the tutorial. I have trouble with the stamps sticking together, so this will help me a lot. Also, when a stamp has been used a lot, it seems to lose it’s sticking power. Can this be resolved? And I still can’t figure out what is the front of the CD case and what is that back. I “think” the front is the side that is solid and the back has the space. However, it opens better the other way around, so I have the spines labeled differently on different sets. Which way is correct? Thank you!
Great tutorial. I have some sets from before that I did not do this way and don’t look all that great. BUT my new sets I just got will look fabulous – thanks to your tutorial. Love all your stamps – keep them coming.
THANKS FOR THIS TUTORIAL! I have had my stamp sets for quite awhile and never did anything with the labels or CD case. I finally got the Halloween set organized. I had a hard time peeling the label with the sentiments on it. I just did not get it! Duh! Anyway, at least the stamps are in the CD case. Still waiting to be inked!!!
Nicole, I concur with all the other comments–wonderful tutorial. A question: any good ideas of what to use the large clear box for…I’ve kept mine because they seem so useful. I cannot say enough times how much I like your products; I am seriously hooked. Best regards, Charlotte
Thank you so much for showing how to put on the decals! I never thought to roll them on that way, and have had a number of air bubbles in them. Next time I’ll try it this way. (and you know there will be a next time! LOL)
Oh my goodness!! Just exactly what I needed. I totally messed up trying to do this. You should reference this tutorial in your stamp kits. So helpful. Thank you.
Yeah, wrestling the labels is not how I want to spend my crafting time. Good info. Also, keep the acetate sheets the stamps come on and the clear box everything is loaded into. You never know when Lauren may come up with a template using that exact size of acetate. And I’m sure we can think up a way to fill that box for gifting!
Hello All—–Michelle inquired about additional labels (picture of the stamp set)for reference—-Just make a copy of the label that comes with the stamp set before attaching to the CD case – Perfect for keeping track of all your PaperTrey beauties.
Barbara from Bellflower
Thanks for these instructions. I am new to PTI and just received my first order today!!! Now that I know what I am doing I can put my cases together!
Chance to read your blog, I really like your blog, let me learn a lot! I will focus on your blog, refuels!
Really very pretty and beautiful design specially that design on glass is very eye catching.
I didn’t receive a cd container with any of my stamps!? Is this something that is no longer being done?
Your stamps are really beautiful and detailed. susan
Can you purchase cases empty? Clear cd cases.. Thx
Hi! I am about to make my first Papertrey purchase and just wanted to ask you something about the stamps. Do all stamps come with the CD case and the printed foil, or do I have to purchase the item that’s called Index Label? 🙂 Thank you!
Some of the sets do not come with a CD case. So what am I supposed to do?
Thanks for the instructions. I always scan the label before I stick it on so that I can print it out and put it in a file for quick reference rather than pulling out all the cases to search the covers to find the stamp I want
I Ann a newbie add wanted to know….
1. Is there a way to assemble the stamps and dies in a notebook form
2. Do you have a swatch book or sheet for your inks. Do they come with updated colors.
Hi Bonnie, There are many ways that you can choose to store your stamp sets and dies. If you do some searches online, I am sure that you will be able to find lots of examples to inspire you! Also, we don’t currently have downloadable swatch sheets, but again this is something that you might be able to find online that others have put together.