Metal Stamping

Tips

Take your time. There’s nothing like getting to the end of a piece and then stamping a letter sideways!
Plan your spacing before you start.
Softer metals are easier to work with.
If you can’t get a good impression with one hammer strike, use the tilt-and-tap method
- Angle your stamp towards North and hammer once
- Without moving the stamp, tilt towards South, hammer once
- Repeat with an Eastward tilt
- Repeat with a Westward tilt

Building a Starter Kit

4x4 steel bench block. At least ½” in depth but ¾” or 1” depth is even better
A basic set of steel stamps made for metal stamping; don’t forget to check the size
A brass hammer
Black sharpie or stamping enamel
Metal to stamp. I recommend aluminum to begin with because it is soft and will not tarnish.
Additional tools depending on what you’re making
- For bracelets, a pair of bracelet bending pliers
- For necklaces, something to make holes in the metal, and jump rings that will fit through that size hole. Also, two pairs of flat-nose pliers to open and close the jump rings
- For keychains, same as necklaces plus some large circular split-rings

Resources for Tools and Tutorials

StudioRaza.com/metalstamping - My site, with links to these resources! You can also always e-mail me questions at danielle@studioraza.com

Beaducation.com - A wide selection of tools and tutorials and my one-stop shop for everything metal stamping. Their customer service is fabulous and their made-in-house stamps are very high quality. They also have a fantastic facebook group where people ask questions.

Impressart.com - A good selection of stamps and metal blanks for beginners. Not my main supplier for “design” stamps, but their aluminum blanks and letter stamps are my go-tos. Beaducation stocks their products too.

TheUrbanBeader.com - Crisp design and letter stamps.

MyMetalStamp.com - Tapered design and letter stamps from Morando tools. I have one custom set from them and it’s the easiest font to line up straight.

FontFixation.com - More beautiful design and letter stamps, as well as some lovely minimalistic acrylic stamp holders.

Amazon.com - Still the cheapest and quickest place to get some things if you have Prime. I order blue ammo boxes from there to hold my stamps that don’t come in an easy container. Use the links above to support Studio Raza while you shop!