You may make beautiful designs on your nails without physically painting them by using nail art stamps. The drawing will be transferred using a stamper and a plate with carved patterns. You have a plethora of choices when it comes to nail polish, both for the patterns and the base color. Although it may be a very sophisticated skill, nail stamping can swiftly and simply produce stunning and intricate nail art. The operation may be made substantially simpler by employing high-quality stamping tools and equipment, such as the appropriate nail stamper.
Introduction to nail stamper
It's not difficult to stamp nails, but before you begin, you need be aware of a few fundamental guidelines. A protective film is firstly included with each plate. To carefully remove it, use tweezers. Apply nail paint to create the desired pattern, then press the stamper down. Because you don't want the polish to dry out, proceed swiftly. You won't be able to apply the design on your nail if you don't. A transparent stamper is the best option. This will let you to observe how the design is being applied to your nail.
A Nail Stamper's Preparation
It's simple to turn just manicured nails into creative works of fingernail art by using a nail stamper! But careful planning is essential if you want the stamps to apply uniformly and easily. To get the desired nail stamp results, take the time to properly clean and prepare your stamper head and stamping plate.
Approach 1: Clear Gel Stamper Maintenance
- You may use your fingers to detach the head of your new gel nail stamper from its cylinder. It should be easy to remove the soft, clear gel stamper head from the transparent plastic cylinder. If necessary, slide your fingernail beneath the stamper head's edge, taking care not to cut any holes in it.
Because you can see where you're stamping on your fingernail by looking straight down through the cylinder of clear gel stampers, they are becoming more and more common.
- With soap and water, remove any greasy stains from the stamper head. Put the stamper head in a basin with some clean water and dish soap. Use your fingertips to gently but thoroughly massage the stamper head's surfaces.
Due to the production process, brand-new stamper heads frequently have an oily film on them. Your stamps won't fully transfer to your nails if you don't remove this residue.
Pure acetone should not be used to clean clear gel stamper heads. The crystal-clear gel will degrade and become hazy. The first cleaning may be done with soapy water, and the leftover polish can be removed after usage with acetone- and alcohol-free nail polish remover.
- Use fresh water to thoroughly rinse away any soap and leftovers. Rub the nail stamper head with your fingertips after dipping it in a different dish of clean water. The other option is to hold it for 5–10 seconds under flowing water.
- Use a lint-free cloth to thoroughly dry the stamper head. To completely dry the stamper head, simply wipe it with a cloth or piece of paper towel. Simply place the stamper head back into the cylinder once it has finished drying completely.
If you dried the nail stamper head with the improper drying towel and got lint stuck all over it, wash the lint off with clean water and dry the stamper head again.
Approach 2: Removing Non-Gel Stamper Stains
- Your new stamper's "squishy" head may be gently rubbed with a nail buffer. Hold the cylinder of the stamper and maintain the stamper head's position. Apply gentle back-and-forth strokes with your nail buffer to buff the stamper head. You're buffing too hard if you leave behind more than a very little quantity of powdered residue.
Oils left over from the production process can be removed by lightly polishing the rubbery stamper surface. Unlike the more recent clear gel stamper heads, conventional, "squishy" stamper heads are opaque. Although they might take a bit longer to get used to than clear gel stampers, they are just as powerful and long-lasting.
- Put undiluted acetone on a cotton ball and soak it. Calculate how much 100% acetone will be required to completely soak one cotton ball and pour roughly a capful into a small dish. Drop the cotton ball in and let it absorb all the acetone it can. Use just 100% acetone in this situation rather than nail polish remover that may or may not include any acetone at all. Look for nail polish removers and pure acetone for sale.
Keep acetone far away from any open flames since it is highly flammable. Avoid breathing in more acetone fumes than is required to do your activity.
- Utilize a cotton ball to wipe away any oil or residue from the stamper head. To remove any powdery buildup and surplus oil from the stamper head, pick up the cotton ball that has been drenched in acetone and utilize it. Once the acetone has dried, which doesn't take long at all, the stamper is prepared for use.
Approach 3: Filling the Stamper Plate
- Pure acetone should be used to clean the metal stamper plate. A capful of 100% acetone should be added to a small basin, and a cotton ball should be used to absorb it. Clean the plate with the soaked cotton ball, paying careful attention to any "nooks and crannies" where dried polish may have accumulated. Before using the stamper plate, let it dry for 30 to 60 seconds.
You should do this before each usage, including the first. Four or more stamp designs, such as stripes, balloons, hearts, and so on, are etched into the surface of nail stamper plates. You must scrape away any leftover polish from these etchings in order to achieve a clean imprint on your fingernail.
- Apply a large amount of stamping polish on the pattern of your choice. Add enough stamping polish to the plate so that it completely covers the flat plate surface around your selected etching and the etching of the stamp design you wish to use. But you don't have to cover the whole plate and all the etchings. The greatest outcomes here come from stamping polish, which is made exclusively for nail stamping. Alternately, you might experiment with other polishes, such as gel polishes. In general, heavier polishes with one-coat coverage work best.
- Make use of a scraper to remove extra polish off the plate. Use the scraper that comes with the package. Hold it at a 45-degree angle to the plate's surface and use one strong swipe to scrape the plate clean. The idea is to remove all of the polish off the plate's flat surface while leaving all of the polish in the etching.
Approach 4: Using a Stamp
- Over the polish-filled design on the plate, roll the stamper head. Hold the stamper by the cylinder so that the stamper head is angled toward the plate surface at roughly a 45-degree angle. Just outside of the etched, polish-filled stamp pattern, press the edge of the stamper head on the plate. With a single rolling motion, press the stamper head into the design and pull it off. The stamp design will smear on the stamper head if you press down and draw up straight.
- Check to see if the stamper head's stamp pattern is clear. Just gaze down through the transparent cylinder if you're using a clear gel stamper. Turn a conventional stamper over and examine the transferred design on the head.
The instructions for washing off the stamper head can be skipped if the pattern didn't transfer effectively.
- Using the same rolling motion as previously, press the stamp onto your nail. Holding the stamper at a 45-degree angle once again, align the stamp over your nail. Roll and slowly push the stamp over your nail. Lift the stamper away and see your new nail imprint. Although you may stamp on bare nails, the greatest effects come from giving your nails a clear base coat and 1-2 layers of paint. Before continuing, make careful to let each of these coatings dry.
With a moist cotton ball, immediately remove the stamp if it doesn't appear to be correct before trying again.
- Apply a clear top coat layer by brushing it on to shield your nail stamp. Once the stamp has completely dried, wait a few minutes before applying the top coat as usual. After a brief cleaning, you'll be almost ready to display your stamped nails after it has dried.
- Use packing tape or a lint roller with adhesive to clean the stamper head. A strip of packing tape should be torn off, applied to a lint-free cloth, and then pulled off to lessen its stickiness. Pull the tape away after applying pressure with the stamper. The stamper head's nail polish needs to be completely removed after this. Try a lint roller that utilizes tear-away tape strips instead of packing tape; you don't need to "de-stick" them first!
If you are unable to completely remove the polish off the stamper head, clean it with a cotton ball dipped in either nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. On a stamper head made of transparent gel, never use 100% acetone.
Best Nail Stampers to Make Stamping Easier
- Clear Jelly Stamper – (A high-quality premium clear nail stamper)
- MoYou-London Marshmallow Stamper – (The best nail stamper for a beginner.)
- Winstonia Stamper (A very affordable marshmallow stamper)
- Ejiubas Stamper (A budget-friendly clear stamper)
- Konad Stamper (A firm rubber stamper)
- Whats Up Magnified Nail Stamper (Ideal for full nail coverage designs)
- Born Pretty Stamper (Best looking nail stampers)
Tips To Help You Pick the Best Nail Stamper
Acknowledge Your Own Preferences
Feeling the texture of your preferred stamper is one of the finest methods to determine if a stamper will work for you if you already stamp. Stick with that type of stamper if the material is soft and sticky.
Check The Form of Your Nails
Because these stampers can adapt and flex to meet the contour of your nails, soft and squishy stampers frequently perform best for those with curved nail beds.
Any kind of nail stamper can be used by those with exceptionally flat nail beds.
Pay Attention to The Stamper's Texture
How effectively a nail stamper functions and how you use it depend on how soft, hard, sticky, or smooth it is;
Softer Stampers are more user-friendly and compatible with the majority of stamping plates, but they can be inconsistent since the material smooshes more easily and produces less distinct patterns.
Firmer Stampers: Greater practice and effort are needed to master firmer stampers.
Since the stamper won't distort or smoosh too much, it produces patterns that are more consistently correct, gives you greater freedom to customize your nail art. Well-etched stamping plates operate best with firm stampers.
Maintain Your Support for Reputable Brands
Larger, more reputable firms often do rigorous product testing, use premium materials, and employ cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to produce better, more consistent nail stampers.
A Variety of Stampers Are Needed for Various Designs
A harder stamper is usually necessary for really detailed patterns. This is due to the fact that softer stampers are more likely to distort. Many of the tightly matched prints in intricate designs are susceptible to smudging or smooshing if your stamper deforms excessively.
Make Sure Your Stamper and Stamping Plates Match
Make every effort to match the brand of the stamping plates you want to use with the brand of your nail stamper. A nail stamper's ability to function with their own line of stamping plates is often rigorously verified by the manufacturer. A stamper tends to perform best with their own plates, but it doesn't imply they can't use plates from other manufacturers. Not all stamping plates are made equal; some have deep enough engravings while others have shallow engravings.
Conclusion
Metal nail stamper plates of high quality can withstand repeated cleanings with 100% acetone. However, if you have a non-metal stamper plate, be sure to read the product handbook that came with your nail stamper kit for detailed cleaning recommendations. You will discover a broad range of tips and opinions on nail stamping since it is an art rather than a science.