When To Stamp?

[itsben]

Hi all,

I've been experimenting with when I stamp my maker's stamp onto various pieces and I can't seem to settle on which is the correct way. Hoping someone can lend a guiding hand here...

Stamping before dye: Wetting the leather (with water) and stamping the un-dyed leather leaves a clean enough impression, but then the dye tends to collect in the stamped area a little more heavily than elsewhere on the piece, resulting in an uneven job.

Stamping after dye: This seems to give a better result as far as the evenness of dye (especially under the stamp's lettering), but when I put some water to the leather to help with the stamping I often get significant discoloration: the dye is bleeding, essentially, and it only partly evens out when I apply atom wax.

Could someone out there tell me what they do for this? Is there a tried and true "this is what has always been done" method, or is this another one of those "to each his own" moments?

Thanks!

Edited June 12, 2011 by itsben

[Ferg]

I am sure this is another instance of "preference". Are you by any chance using water based dye? If so you may want to try solvent based/alcohol.

ferg

Hi all,

I've been experimenting with when I stamp my maker's stamp onto various pieces and I can't seem to settle on which is the correct way. Hoping someone can lend a guiding hand here...

Stamping before dye: Wetting the leather (with water) and stamping the un-dyed leather leaves a clean enough impression, but then the dye tends to collect in the stamped area a little more heavily than elsewhere on the piece, resulting in an uneven job.

Stamping after dye: This seems to give a better result as far as the evenness of dye (especially under the stamp's lettering), but when I put some water to the leather to help with the stamping I often get significant discoloration: the dye is bleeding, essentially, and it only partly evens out when I apply atom wax.

Could someone out there tell me what they do for this? Is there a tried and true "this is what has always been done" method, or is this another one of those "to each his own" moments?

Thanks!

[itsben]

Hi Ferg. I'm using Fiebing's oil-based dyes, and I think I'd prefer to stick with those for the time being. I've tried the alcohol dyes and wasn't at all happy with the colors I got out of them (browns too red, etc.)

I am sure this is another instance of "preference". Are you by any chance using water based dye? If so you may want to try solvent based/alcohol.

ferg

[Ferg]

Oil based are good also. You should allow them to dry for a couple days before you try any water based work with them.

ferg

Hi Ferg. I'm using Fiebing's oil-based dyes, and I think I'd prefer to stick with those for the time being. I've tried the alcohol dyes and wasn't at all happy with the colors I got out of them (browns too red, etc.)

[terrymac]

I have never tried dyeing, and then stamping. I can't see where that would work too well. When applying a stamp to leather that has had moisture added, you are going to get a burnished (darkened) effect on the stamped area. That is normal and something we work to get.. I don't know how dark you are trying to dye the leather or how many coats of dye you are applying. I use a lot of Fiebling's dark brown, and just keep applying until it is a uniform color. I understand Wickett and Craig are now selling drum dyed leather, and one of the members here (Spinner) is reporting good results using this stuff. You may want to check out his recent thead on this subject, can't remember which section it is in. I just don't think adding moisture to a piece you have already dyed will ever work out. Good luck

Terry