How to Make Your Own DIY Stamps for Pottery Clay
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If you’re looking for new ways to decorate your pottery projects, you may want to try using pottery stamps! From ceramic jewelry to functional pieces like plates or mugs, stamps can be used to add beautiful textures and indentions to most any clay surface. I have always loved textured clay, often using sgraffito and carvings to bring my pottery to life. Stamps work wonderfully to create well-defined textures quickly and efficiently.
You can find stamps at your local craft store like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s as well as Amazon. I’ve linked a few great clay stamp sets HERE. In this article, I will show you how to use stamps on your clay, no matter if it’s polymer or ceramic. I will also show you an easy way to make your very own stamp if you can’t find one that is just right for your project. Follow along and let’s get into stamping clay!
How Do You Use Pottery Stamps?
The first thing we need to discuss is how to use pottery stamps. The process is very simple. Just press your stamp into soft clay! This will work on a flat surface, like a slab or plate, as well as rounded surfaces like the wall of a mug. You don’t want the clay to be too wet because it will make a sloppy impression because the stamp will stick to the clay.
To get a good impression , aim to stamp clay that is leather soft . This is soft enough to make a fingerprint on, but not so wet that the clay sticks to your finger. You don’t need a release agent of any kind if your clay is in the right stage! Polymer clay stamps or pottery stamps will work wonderfully! You can even use rubber stamps! Once your clay has been stamped, allow it to dry and throw it in the bisque fire !
How to Make Your Own Pottery Stamps
There are many pottery stamps available to buy from your local craft store, but what about when you can’t find the perfect stamp or image that you’re looking for? The good news is that you can make your own stamp design win a few simple steps! All you need is a little bit of scrap clay and a little know how! To make your own clay stamp, simply carve or sculpt your stamp design with some clay. Pay careful attention to the size of your design- this will dictate about how much surface area it will take up (give or take shrinkage rate).
Once you are happy with your sculpted or carved design, fire your clay. When it comes out of the bisque fire, it can be used to make impressions into soft clay just like a stamp! You can do this process with polymer clay as well.
Of course, there are ways to complicate or elevate your stamp making. If you want an elevated, 3D design instead of an impression, you can grab some MOLD PUTTY to make a raised stamp or mold. Just take your clay stamp, make a mold of your design by following the directions on the mold putty. Allow it to cure, and you’re ready to mold clay!
Stamping is just one of many ways to create beautiful surface decorations on your clay! It is so versatile and satisfying that it is definitely worth a try! You can create intricate designs using many stamps or go with a more simple single stamp design. Use stamps to create entire slabs of texture or emboss your name with letters. There are so many options with clay stamping, and it is instantly gratifying! If you’re looking for more pottery project ideas or tutorials, you can find those HERE.
Blessings and Happy Stamping!
-Samm
