I’m a crafty gal, but every now and then you want to add some high-end panache to your cards, gifts, or tags. Personalized or monogrammed stamps are the way to do this in a cinch- and now PSA Essentials gives you both the personalization AND flexibility in your stamps!
So what exactly is a PSA Essential Stamp? Well, it’s a self-inking stamp that features two components- an outer ring and a center image- that are interchangeable. Change the center, change the ring, even change the ink- PSA Essentials has made it goof-proof! And since the stamps are cling-mounted, you can use them with your acrylic blocks even if you don’t have the self-inking stamp tool. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s take a closer look!
As you can see in the photo, they sent me a “Craft Test Dummies” stamp with my URL, and another with my initials and address. I immediately switched things up!
So to change the stamp dies, you depress the grey plunger part of the stamp tool while holding down the red button and it’ll lock the stamp in place. You can then just peel it off of the backing and press a new one down. However, I used their positioning tool & loved it.
Press down and PRESTO! Your new image is set, inked, and ready to go!
So, first I tried out my stamps on some of the pretty cards they sent me. YES, they sell special stationery & accessories that are designed to go with their stamps!
By the way, the cardstock was very nice and had a matte finish. Then I decided to try the stamp on some really cheap notecards I bought from the dollar store.
So then I decided to try using some blank notecards, but dressing them up a bit with stamps and stencils. I got to use my shimmery ink daubers and stamp pads on these.
So then I decided to try stamping on some other surfaces, just to see what happened.
So then I got to wondering….would it work on fabric?
No bleeding. Love.
OK- so at this point I got into a stamping frenzy and almost couldn’t control myself! But I forced myself to stop long enough to swap out the ink pad. And yes, it’s easy to do, and makes this system heads-and-shoulders above any other self-inking stamp I’ve ever used. Now, ready to get excited? Not only do they have a lovely selection of colors, but they also have divided stamp pads so that you can have one color for the outer ring and another for the inner image! How cool is THAT?
Oh, and there are really good videos that shows you just how to swap out the stamp pads AND the stamp dies, so don’t worry.
I also had some fun coloring these images with the Letraset Aqua Markers. Since it was glossy paper, I heat-set it first. At this point, you get to realize that you can use these cute little stamps with your markers and make them focal points to cards, tags, or as custom papers for scrapbook layouts. I couldn’t help myself, I had to make a little holiday card and a Craft Test Dummies notecard.
So, et’s talk turkey here. These stampers and “Peel-N-Stick” stamps are offered mostly in stores (check here for vendors in your state). But I did look online, and I found the average prices to be as follows:
- Personalized Stamp- $35-45 (On sale for $30 at some retailers as of this writing)
- Stamp Body- $15-$20
- Peel-N-Stick switchable stamp dies- $11-$12
- Ink cartridges- $9 for a single color, $11 for two-tone.
Bottom line- they are not cheap- but the price for a personalized stamp is about HALF the cost of what I paid for something very similar- but can’t switch out the images OR the ink. The switchable stamps are actually a great value, because you can use them with or without the stamp body tool- just mount them on acrylic stamp mounts. As for the ink pads, they are a bit pricey, but worth the expense whether your are making multiples (Holiday cards anyone?) or just in the fact that you don’t have to drag out a stamp pad every time you use it!
The only thing I could ask for is a “craft” themed set of switchable middles! Scissors, yarn, glue gun, needle and thread….I can see them now! Hey, Libby- need me to design it for you?? Hint, Hint!
What are YOUR thoughts?
Disclosure: Samples provided for review.
If you’d like to purchase items from PSA Essentials, please use my affiliate link:
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Linn Rivera says
wow they are so nice! thanks for the demo~ would love to get my hands on those 🙂
Cyndi Stephenson says
I so loved your step by step tutorial. Great projects. You definitely showed there is nothing safe from getting a stamp. LOL
Sarah Forhan says
Thanks for the demo. Another thing to add to my wish list!