Permanent Masks

I started my paper arts adventure as a stamper. I still reach back to my roots and dig out the rubber stamps. One of the stamping techniques that I most enjoy is masking. This technique creates the illusion of depth and perspective. The original stamped image is covered with a mask so subsequent stamped images can be stamped on top of one another without damaging the original.

In the past I’ve cut my stamp masks from post-it notes, copy paper, scrap paper—you name it. But I always ran into the same problem—these masks were at best temporary. It seemed that I was continually cutting masks for the same images.

Well, old soon, smart late. When I was making my last project using stamps, mica powders, and 3D Crystal Lacquer, the light bulb went on. Why couldn’t I do something similar to make permanent masks? It works!!! And it’s so easy!!

Stamp your image on cardstock. In these samples I used a paint chip!

Stamps are inked and ready

Images stamped on paint chip

Apply a thin layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer to the image. You don’t need to be neat around the edges, but be sure the entire image is covered.

Images coated with lacquer

Let the lacquer dry. I usually allow an overnight drying time. Cut the images out using scissors or a craft knife. Ta-da!! Drum roll!! There you have it—a permanent mask. Bonus: you can easily wipe off inks with a baby wipe.

Here are cards that I made using the masking technique and one of my 3D Crystal Lacquer permanent masks.

The leaves were stamped first, then masked while the strawberry was stamped.

The pear in the left was stamped first and masked, then the pear on the right was stamped.

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