We know that starting a jewelry-making journey can be overwhelming, so we're here to provide you with some helpful advice, tips, guides, and more information about jewelry-making. Here, we've listed some tips that we think will be useful for metal stamping newbies
Setting up your workspace
You should place your stamping blanks on a stamping block. Also, make sure that you are stamping on the strongest part of your workbench. This will ensure that you can strike evenly across the surface.
Using hot stamping tape
This will stick the blank to the tape and help hold the blank in place.
Positioning the hammer
Place the hammer on top of the stamp before lifting the stamp and tapping it with the hammer. Do not move the stamp or the position of the hammer between strikes or you will ruin the design.
Think about how deep you want your metal stamping marks to be!
How hard the hammer strikes the stamped part will determine the depth of the indentation
Starting with Sheet Metal
Sheet metal is a great surface to work on before machining a stamped blank. It gives you a larger surface area to work with, so you can test different techniques on one sheet without wasting multiple blanks.
Practice makes perfect.
It's a good idea to practice on a practice blank before making your final piece. Make sure you have plenty of metal stamping supplies to practice your technique.
Experiment with different sizes
Before you start stamping, you might want to stock up on some different sizes of metal blanks. As a beginner, you don't yet know which size you prefer to use.
Use the Metal Stamping Jig
These clamps hold the stamp upright so you get the perfect impression every time. These jigs come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to purchase the right one for your stamp.
Tilt and Tap Method
This is a common method that is perfect for working with very detailed stamps. Start by tapping the stamp firmly with a hammer, then without moving the stamp, tilt it slightly to the right and towards you, then tap the stamp again. Repeat these steps from multiple angles.Don't Stamp Upside Down
Turning a stamp blank upside down, skewing it, or even using the wrong stamp is a common mistake. To make it easier for you to find the correct stamp and align it in the right direction, write the stamp number or letter on the stamp so that when you pick it up correctly, the design will be face up.
Don't get discouraged!
As with any new jewelry-making technique, your first few pieces will not be perfect. Therefore, don't be discouraged by any mistakes.
Making a clearer indentation
After hammering your stamping blanks, you can rub the impression left by the hammer with a black marker or enamel ink. This will help make your metal stamping design stand out. Afterward, wipe off the excess with a cloth or paper towel.
Polishing your work
As a final step, don't forget to use a polishing cloth to add shine to your metal stamping artwork.
Ready to start your metal stamping journey? We hope some of our quick tips will help you as you begin your jewelry-making journey.
0 comments