Need advice on stamping impermeable items

[csziggy]

I haven't done stamping since we cut shapes with potatoes and stamped craft paper with water colors at camp, so I am not at all familiar with the current stamp technology.

A group I am with needs to make favors for goody bags for a once a year gathering. A thought for future favors is to paint magnets with cute designs. I can buy ceramic disc magnets for cheap, spray paint them with an acrylic paint. Some people have hand painted little flowers on their magnets but the group I am with does not have that kind artistic talents.

I'm thinking of stamping designs on the magnets. My husband found some cute stamps, one set with flowers and leaves, the other with animal paw prints. Will these work to stamp acrylic paint on the painted surface of the magnets? Any tips as to techniques for applying paint to the very small stamps to get clean stamps on the magnets?

If this won't work, any suggestions?

[BainsBane]

1. Alcohol ink will paint the magnets

but of course the ink will be permanently imprinted on the stamps as well. Ranger makes a line of alcohol inks.

http://rangerink.com/?prod_name=Alcohol+Inks&prod_cat=alcoholinks

You can buy them at any craft store.

[csziggy]

2. OK, those look good and I can get them locally

Permanent is good and I am not worried about the stamps - they were purchased for this purpose. I did see some cleaner stuff specially for that ink - or is that just to clean off excess ink? I've looked at videos on YouTube that show using pads and others that use daubers to dab ink onto the stamps. Pads would be easier I expect.

How about a base paint for the magnets? I'd like to paint them some solid color. Would spray acrylic work OK? I'm thinking put the magnets on a pipe, spray lightly, let dry for a day or two, turn them over and spray the other side. On a small pipe, less of the magnet would be in contact with the surface to case a ridge from the paint.

[BainsBane]

3. I wouldn't opt for acrylic

Unless you find one designed for special surfaces. Regular acrylics would peel off after dried. But there are a variety of spray paints. You could also use a lighter color alcohol ink for the base and then stamp on top of that.

Alcohol inks are permanent. You won't be able to clean them up with water, so the cleaner is to deal with paintbrushes, spills, etc... Look to see what it's made out of. You can probably find the same think cheaper at your hardware store.

There are tons of crafting videos online. You can see demos on how to use those inks and other products you might be considering.

[csziggy]

5. OK - plus the acrylic seems to stay sticky

I painted some magnets with a shimmery acrylic based paint. Even though I let them dry for several days, when I got them back out, they are effectively glued together by the paint. If I want to use those magnets, I will have to peel, scrape, or sand off the acrylic!

I'll look to see what alcohol based paint I can find to do the base color. I do want the color to be completely permanent. The magnets will be used as needleholders on fabric and no one would want the color coming off on their work. Generally, they are sold in pairs - you put one on each side of the fabric and can put needles on them. I also use them to hold charts in place for reference or protective tissue over some of the more delicate embroidered areas.

[BainsBane]

4. this looks handy

http://www.amazon.com/Ranger-Adirondack-Alcohol-Ink-Fillable/dp/B002EPG0OY/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1362866597&sr=8-14&keywords=ranger+adirondack+alcohol+ink

[csziggy]

6. I'd rather not have to pen the designs on

Stamping seems easier and quicker to get a consistent quality.

[BainsBane]

7. I'm wondering if acrylic stamps might be better

than rubber, since they are less porous and might absorb less of the ink. Just a thought.

[csziggy]

8. I couldn't find acrylic stamps I liked small enough

To fit on the magnets. We're talking 1/2" to 3/4" diameter magnets here. Not a lot of space. I think I'll just have to play with what I have and see what works.