Aplication Of Backing Before Stamping

[rmcelrath]

New here. I have read that many here apply a backing to a workpiece before stamping to prevent deformation. It seems packing tape is a popular choice. Is this necessary for all stamping pieces? I have a wallet in the works and don't want to screw it up, well, too badly anyway.

Does the tape affect the quality of the stamp, or does other backings do the same, cushioning the stamp?

Tanks for any help, and for all of the priceless info here on the forum.

Rick

PS. This is a freehand design I sketched on lightly with a pencil..

Edited December 28, 2010 by rmcelrath

[terrymac]

Rick,

I do it as a matter of practice on everything. The thinner the leather, the more it can distort. I use 3M packing tape as it is all I have found that will stay stuck when the leather is wet. Needs to be applied prior to wetting leather. On something like a wallet, I stick on the packing tape and then use rubber cement and stick to a piece of acrylic. The packing tape nor the rubber cement will affect the depth or distinction of your tooling, Nothing is more aggravating than tooling something and ending up with a bulge somewhere. Doesn't happen with the above. I just finished a belt that had two layers of packing tape, and no distortions anywhere. Kind of hard to glue something like a belt. Hope this helps

Terry

[rmcelrath]

Rick,

I do it as a matter of practice on everything. The thinner the leather, the more it can distort. I use 3M packing tape as it is all I have found that will stay stuck when the leather is wet. Needs to be applied prior to wetting leather. On something like a wallet, I stick on the packing tape and then use rubber cement and stick to a piece of acrylic. The packing tape nor the rubber cement will affect the depth or distinction of your tooling, Nothing is more aggravating than tooling something and ending up with a bulge somewhere. Doesn't happen with the above. I just finished a belt that had two layers of packing tape, and no distortions anywhere. Kind of hard to glue something like a belt. Hope this helps

Terry

Terry, thank you for the information. Looks like I'll tape it up, probably two or three layers. What is the acrylic you speak of? And I have a good spray adhesive, same qualities as 3M, works with wood, leather, paper cardboard, it should do the trick.

Thanks again.

Rick McElrath

[terrymac]

Rick,

Acrylic=plexiglass which can be bought at Lowe's, Home Depot. You can get different size pieces, but it is not hard to cut to the sizes you want. If you have ever cut shhet rock, it cuts the same way, score on one side and break. I don't know if I would go to the spray adhesive. You will eventually peel it off, and you don't want to stretch the leather doing it. You want it stuck, but not permanently.

Terry

[JJLeatherworks]

We use brown packing tape that seems to be only carried by the U-Haul stores now. It sticks using only one layer and the leather does not distort, nor does it affect the stamping. The thinner the leather or the more coverage of stamping, (basket weave) the more untaped leather will distort or stretch. We don't glue or tape it to any other backing, just place it right on the granite slab and pound away. Haven't noticed any difference to stamping with or without tape other than the stretching issue.

New here. I have read that many here apply a backing to a workpiece before stamping to prevent deformation. It seems packing tape is a popular choice. Is this necessary for all stamping pieces? I have a wallet in the works and don't want to screw it up, well, too badly anyway.

Does the tape affect the quality of the stamp, or does other backings do the same, cushioning the stamp?

Tanks for any help, and for all of the priceless info here on the forum.

Rick

PS. This is a freehand design I sketched on lightly with a pencil..

[mendedbowl]

Rick,

I just recently switched from packing tape to clear peel and stick shelf paper. I guess i'm getting too lazy to work with all those strips of tape. I peel the back off and place the shelf paper sticky side up onto my granite. Then i put my dry leather on top of it and press down or roll it. Then case the leather. After you've finished your stamping and the leather is completely dry, turn it over on the granite and hold the leather flat as you peel the shelf paper off. You want to hold the leather flat so you don't pull it and stretch it while removing the tape or shelf paper.

ken

[rmcelrath]

Geez, if I could only get this much out of my kids! Thnaks so much for the feedback.

Rick