http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49392&th=9772#msg_49392 I like stamps a lot, so I was happy to find out, that there is an easy and cheap way to make stamps by using Shapways and Sugru!
You probably know Sugru already. If not, it's an air-curing rubber that can be formed by hand. It bonds to most materials and turns into a strong, flexible silicone rubber overnight.



My "Owl Stampmaker" is a very simple 3D modell. You can use free software like Blender or Google SketchUp to design something similiar.
Shapeways "Detailed Material" is perfect for making a mold for stamps. The stampmaker at the example has the dimension 30 x 30 mm (1.2 x 1.2 in) and is 2 mm (0.08 in) thick. The embossed parts should have a depth of 1 mm (0.04 in)
After you've received your stampmaker, you'll be able to create your stamps with Sugru.

What you need:
1. A negative mold (the stampmaker), made via Shapeways 3D printing service.
2. Sugru.
3. A handle which should fit to the size of the stamp. E.g. a piece of wood or you can create the handle via Shapeways, too.
4. Liquid soap.
5. A knife.

Put a thin layer (2 mm) of Sugru on a handle which should have approximately the same size as the stamp. Make sure the Sugru on the handle is smooth and plane.



Put some liquid soap on the stampmaker. This will help to detach the sugru from the mold. Press the stampmaker against the Sugru and remove it without destroying the imprint you made.



Grease some liquid soap on a plane surface and scrub the Sugru-Stamp against it. Don't use too much pressure! This will help to make the stamp perfect smooth and plane. Use a knife to cut away all unused Sugru on the edges of the stamp.



Don't forget to clean the stampmaker. This way, you can make as much stamps as you like. Almost done! Let it dry overnight and have fun with your new, handmade stamp! You'll need an ink pad with stamping ink for printing! Here is a picture of my first attempt. I'm already happy with the result, but I'm sure it can be still optimized. The good thing: you can make as much stamps as you like!



Have fun!
Michael]]> Michael Mueller 2012-06-04T16:27:33-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49419&th=9772#msg_49419
Now all we need is a bunch of (inverted) stamp co-creators ]]> virtox 2012-06-05T11:10:00-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49457&th=9772#msg_49457 Michael Mueller 2012-06-06T09:13:10-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49503&th=9772#msg_49503 Wil-O 2012-06-07T05:50:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49519&th=9772#msg_49519 Black Elasto Plastic" material can be used for stamps? It seems to be not very detailed but it's worth a try.

There are already a few companys out there who provide the service of making a custumized stamp ... You send a picture and get the finished stamp.

The good thing by using Sugru: it is really cheap. After you made a "stampmaker" via Shapeways you can make as many stamps as you like for less than a dollar for each!]]> Michael Mueller 2012-06-07T12:05:11-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49521&th=9772#msg_49521 Youknowwho4eva 2012-06-07T12:56:37-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49531&th=9772#msg_49531
I am looking at 3-D printing as a possibility to produce more than a few stamps per day and in any case the in between step of making a mold is not prefererred for a variety of other technical reasons. The real challenge would be to print the text die directly from the 3-D printer and the material used should have the capability to transfer the ink evenly, to deliver a perfect impression.]]> Wil-O 2012-06-07T18:19:06-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49533&th=9772#msg_49533 I agree, there are certainly better ways to make an address stamp or a stamp which is only needed once.
Maybe Shapeways bring the old stamp-material back, but as Mike said, it might be too expensive.
I'm working on a letter-set to make textstamps with sugru. Hope this will work well.
http://www.shapeways.com/model/595021/sugru_text_stampmaker. html
]]> Michael Mueller 2012-06-07T19:30:11-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=49556&th=9772#msg_49556
I have seen rubbery or silicon type products come by. Is there a silicon material with which you could print directly?]]> Wil-O 2012-06-08T17:58:27-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=66958&th=9772#msg_66958 Try CNC-Lasercutting instead. Works great!
http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/show-material/374-rubber -stamp-stamp-rubber-no-smell

I like Michael's method a lot since you can produce a lot of stamps once you have invested in the rather expensive mold.]]> Goede 2013-04-27T17:16:31-00:00