Organize Your Stamps

We are down to just a few tasks to get done. The next task to complete is to organize our stamps. Like all our other projects, you select the system that work for you. That is to say that you need to find a system that functions the same way that your brain does.

When I got started organizing my stamps, I made a few mistakes. I got into this system where I cataloged all my stamps, then broke down sets into individual stamps with corresponding numbers for each stamp. So I would go into my section on Christmas, then from the picture on the stamp I would go to my huge book and pick out that individual number. Too complicated for my brain.

I never suggest breaking up sets. I find it much easier to keep sets together under the categories that I have set up in a file drawer system.

First rule of thumb is to keep your rubber and acrylic stamps out of the sunlight. The rubber will dry out and the acrylic stamps will discolor.

Step One-Gathering And Purging

The absolute first step in this project is to gather all the stamps you have. Gather everything there are a take a good look at your collection. Place the strays in the set that they belong in.

This might be painful, but it is time to purge your stamps. Honestly get rid of the stamps that you never use. You can sell them or give them away. They are just taking valuable space.

Step Two-Deciding The Type Of System That Works For You

First thing to consider which way you want to store your stamps. Do you want to store by manufacturer or by category? Remember, you want a system that works the same way your mind thinks.

Another thing that paper crafters need to consider is if you want to change your rubber stamps to cling stamps. Lots of people love their rubber stamps, but they do take up space.

Rubber Stamps

Rubber stamps should always be placed with the stamp side down on a smooth surface. If you store them on a uneven surface, you are more apt to get ridges in the stamps. Your image will not work right.

Do not pile a lot of rubber stamps on top of one another. The weight of the stamps may cause damage to the stamp on the bottom of the pile. Consider a rubber stamp storage system that allows you to store your biggest stamps on the bottom.

Clean, unused pizza boxes are a perfect solution. There is a lot of room in those boxes. You can stack them easily and mark on the box what it contains.

If you are using plastic bins or boxes, line the box or bin with parchment paper. Then place a piece of parchment paper between each later. Cardboard will also cause your rubber stamps to become dry and brittle.

Another option to store your rubber stamps is to use the multi drawer stacking plastic cabinets that are sold in most discount stores.

Love to see your stamps. There are specialized wooden shelving units that will display your stamps beautifully. This enables you to use wall space to store them.

The Crafter's Companion Ez Mount is a failproofsystem to store rubber and cling stamps

Crafter's Companion - EZ Mount Stamp Storage Binder - Mini 3-Ring - Clear

Acrylic Stamps

Office Depot has CD pocket pages that can be used to store stamp sets. Another option is the Avery Elle Stamp pocket. The Avery Elle pockets come in different sizes and are quite sturdy.

The Avery Elle Pockets will store your stamps neatly. Click here to learn more

Binder Storage

Binders are a very popular closed system. You can use specialized binders that are made specifically for stamps, or you can use the binder of your choice. Before you purchase a binder, figure out how many stamps you have and how many binders you may need. You can check out binder sizes in your local office store or on Amazon.

You can also use 12 by 12-inch scrapbooks for your stamp storage. There are several different divider pages available in 12 by 12-inch sizes to fit your needs.

Stamps can be stored in this system in page protectors or page protectors that are divided. You can also use page protectors for baseball cards.

A closed system means that you cannot see the stamps. So you would have to have a category and divider system. If you do not categorize your stamps, you will spend a lot of time looking for what you need.

The best part of this system is that it is relatively inexpensive. It is very adaptable to stamp sets of different sizes.
The Tim Holtz binder system is very popular. Check the link below
Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Stamp Storage Binder

Spin Rack

The best thing about the spin rack is that the stamp sets are very visible. And depending how big a rack you get, it generally does not take a lot of space,

There is a higher cost to setting this system. You need to have special envelopes for this system that do not come with the rack.

You have to re-clip the stamps every time you remove them.

Vertical System

This is one of the most popular systems to store stamp sets. It is relatively inexpensive.

This is considered an open system which means that the stamp sets are visible.

The storage boxes come in different materials and sizes. They are more adaptable to your decor. They can be bins, bags, baskets or boxes. You can also consider using refrigerator bins.

You can use the original bag that the stamps come in, or you can use special envelopes designed to store your stamps. You can also use zip lock bags.

Consider using DVD or CD cases to store your stamps. The cases can be stored on a shelf or in a box, another alternative is to use a CD or DVD shelf or spin rack.