Here I would like to review my collection of stamps for stamping nail design . Yes, exactly collections, since I have accumulated as many as 6 pieces, and not because I wanted to buy more modern and popular ones, but simply because half of them turned out to be non-working - the design was not imprinted on them at all, even though I tried all the advice on the Internet for preparing them. Therefore, this review is more of an anti-review of how design devices can fail.
So, first of all, I would like to say that stamps can be original (Konad, Born Pretty, etc.) and unoriginal (the so-called noname). And I wouldn’t say that if you buy an original one, you will get a 100% high-quality product - sometimes everything turns out just the opposite.
All stamps are usually sold complete with a scraper, but I personally got the hang of using a plastic card for these purposes: it is large enough to hold in your hand and does an excellent job as a scraper.
Stamps can be single-sided or double-sided , secondly, most often the stamp on one side and on the second will be of different sizes or plasticity. The print head itself can be removable, so some stamps can be found on sale with several removable dies, most often of different colors. This is convenient when you need to print a color that matches in color (for example, white on white) and the design on it is difficult to see and understand whether it was printed well.
Depending on the material, stamps can be rubber or silicone . Rubber is more rigid and is not always able to follow the shape of the nail, so they are difficult to use to apply a continuous pattern on the entire nail, and they most often have a small diameter. But silicone easily follows the shape of the nail, which is very convenient in this case.
What do you need
To design nails using the stamping technique, artists use different options, tools and decorative elements. However, there is a single set of accessories without which you cannot create an amazing design:
- Stencil plate . A metal or plastic plate with a pattern embossed on it;
- Stamp – a silicone or rubber pad with a handle for transferring a design from a stencil to a nail;
- Scraper - a product made of thick plastic for removing excess paint from the plate;
- Gel paint or stamping varnish.
Let's take a closer look at each of the points and select the best stamping products from those presented in stores.
Overview of stamping technology
Little secrets of manicure with stamping
Contrasting combinations of varnish shades are best suited for stamping.
- If the scraper is unsuccessful in removing excess varnish or cleaning everything the first time, you can try changing its angle.
- Sometimes the silicone stamp does not want to “work”. Try making the stamp sticky by repeatedly pressing the stamp against the sticky part of regular clear tape.
- If you apply a topcoat to the background polish on the nail and apply patterns on top and also cover it with a fixative, you can get a long-lasting, beautiful manicure.
- A matte rich varnish will make the stamping more noticeable.
- The images on the disk can be painted with varnishes of different colors, then the print will turn out to be unusual. You can also paint the stamping print directly on the nail or on a stamp.
Watch the video tutorial on stamping:
Stencils
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When choosing a stencil plate, pay attention to the material from which it is made. It is more advisable to choose a metal product - it lasts longer, is much stronger and less susceptible to the density of the dye.
How to choose a stencil for stamping:
- Buy a stove only with a protective film on the work surface . During transportation, the instrument will be covered with small scratches that are not visible at first glance, but this damage will certainly affect the final result;
- Try not to order slabs from China from unknown manufacturers . Yes, there are examples when plates of decent quality came from Aliexpress, but most often Chinese products have surface embossing;
- Based on the size of your nail . Buy a stencil plate, the designs of which will completely cover the nail. It will not be possible to correct a design flaw without compromising the quality of the design;
- Make sure that the depth of the pattern lines is the same over the entire area of a particular fragment.
Now let's look at the best stencils for stamping.
MoYouLondon
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The brand produces products for stamping and occupies a leading position in the rating of masters. The plates from this manufacturer are distinguished by deep embossing and the overall strength of the product.
The company offers more than 200 slabs with various patterns - floral, abstract, text.
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Konad
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Posted by KONAD 코나드 (@konad_official)
Stainless steel plates from a South Korean manufacturer cannot be considered budget - the price per stencil ranges from 600 to 800 rubles. The brand offers a large selection of designs for any occasion and for every taste - Japanese characters, single designs, romantic designs.
Konad's range includes about 100 stencils in two formats - rectangular and disc-shaped.
BOHEME
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Posted by BOHEME (@boheme.artnails)
BOHEME stamping plates have recently appeared on the market, but are already receiving rave reviews. The reason for such a warm welcome is the variety of drawings on each plate, which, although united by one theme, leave room for imagination and creativity.
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Posted by BOHEME (@boheme.artnails)
Each plate has about 50 different designs, and there are a total of 24 plates in the assortment - 4 in each collection. The themes of the plates are varied - gothic with slightly dark but stylish designs, street art with daring, youthful and bold options, as well as abstraction, modernism, renaissance and impressionism.
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All plates have good embossing, which allows even the smallest details to be accurately transferred to the nails. The size of the plates is 6*12 cm.
TNL
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Posted by TNL Professional (@tnlprofessional)
TNL stencils are made of high-quality metal. The engraving is moderately deep, with the correct stamp and adherence to the technology of applying paint and printing, it is transferred without errors. In total, there are about 150 plates with a different set of designs.
Slab size – 10*15 cm.
Cost - about 150 rubles.
TNL also offers stenciled metal disks, the price of which ranges from 50 to 150 rubles.
Irisk
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Publication from FREEDOM TO YOUR FINGERTIPS (@irisk_pro)
Irisk offers metal stencils measuring 6 by 12 centimeters, as well as square ones - 6.2 * 6.2 and curly ones in the shape of a heart. In total, the assortment includes more than 100 plate options with a different set of designs - from thematic to abstract and patterned.
Stamping techniques
Reviews
I hesitated for a long time, but purchased a stamping kit. Having experienced the ease of applying the pattern to my nails, I was pleasantly surprised. The price corresponds to the quality. I recommend to everyone.
One day my master suggested that I apply a beautiful pattern using stamping, I agreed. My admiration knew no bounds. The time for manicure has decreased significantly, and the joy from the result has increased. Girls, I advise you to try it.
I never thought that I could get a beautiful manicure at home. I bought everything for stamping and decided to experiment. For a long time, the girlfriends did not believe that this could be done at home and after some time they became the happy owners of the same sets.
I would like to share my impressions about Konad stamping. Having read information about this manufacturer on the Internet, I ordered it through the official website. Girls, the product quality is 100%, and I am happy with my choice. I recommend!
Stamps
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A stamping stamp is a component of a neat design. When choosing a tool, pay attention to:
- Work surface material . The pad comes in rubber and silicone. The rubber stamp is harder, so it does not imprint designs on the cuticle and on the side rollers. You can use a rubber stamp for single designs that do not cover the entire nail. Silicone stamps are soft, so they can handle both single fragments and continuous patterns on the entire nail;
- Handle . The stamp should fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The hand should not slide so as not to damage the imprint. There is no universally comfortable handle - check the stamps for your hand;
- Pad diameter . The diameter of the pad should be enough for both small and large nails, for example, in a pedicure. Ideally, have several stamps of different sizes.
- Color . Rubber stamps are always colored, while silicone stamps are transparent. Translucent stamps allow you to try on and print the pattern exactly in the place where you planned.
El Corazon
The brand’s assortment is wide and allows you to choose stamps from different materials. The tool is sold complete with a scraper, which allows you to save money on the separate purchase of a scraper.
Among the company's products there are also transparent stamps, which are preferable for beginners. Diameter – 3.6 cm.
The price for a set with a scraper is about 450 rubles.
El Corazon also offers double-sided stamps with rubber pads of different diameters. This tool also comes with a scraper made of medium-hard plastic. The price for the set is about 350 rubles.
BOHEME
The brand has only one stamp - silicone. Comes complete with a medium-hard scraper that ensures uniform removal of excess paint. And if a scraper for stamping is an understandable tool, then we will pay special attention to the brand stamp.
The point is in its design - it is double. The bottom pad of the stamp ensures a reduction in the size of the design and a targeted, even imprint on the nail plate.
The working surface of the stamp has increased stickiness and a diameter of 4 cm. To protect the sticky part, the tool is equipped with a protective cover. And a nice bonus - when purchasing a stamp, the kit includes not only a scraper, but also a set of stickers for customizing your workspace.
Irisk
The Irisk stamp is made of dense but pliable transparent silicone and is equipped with a protective cover. The cover allows you to protect the working surface of the stamp from physical impact and the adhesion of small lint and dust.
The price of the stamp is 150 rubles.
ONIQ
A set of stamp and scraper will cost 400 rubles. The stamp cavity is transparent, which allows you to try out the positions of the design before printing. The diameter of the tool is 4 cm. The presented stamp has two working surfaces.
Large overview of stamping dies
Hello! Finally, I got around to writing the post I promised you! I spent a lot of time, but I hope it will help girls who are having trouble with stamping.
During the experiment, an interesting fact emerged that I did not know before. At the end of the experiment, when several hours were behind me, I had run out of ZhDSL, the results of the experiment changed, and I had to redo a small part of it (more on this below). I also noticed that my son changed the resolution of the photos on the camera, so not all the photos are of good quality.
Dies and plates from Chinese companies took part in the experiment. Of course, I could have purchased the original, but after reading the reviews and trying a few of them myself, I didn’t see the point in the konad original. I’m not a constant madam when it comes to my hobbies, so I don’t mind throwing away discs for $1.50 and stamps for $3-6, when I’ve played enough and throw them away.
Here they are, the “heroes of the occasion”
1. short regular stamp no name
with a red elastic band, tough enough to allow you to edit the design on the stamp itself, before transferring it to the nail. This is my first stamp that I have used for quite a long time. The short handle turned out to be convenient for me. The design on the stamp itself is easily erased, which is also a definite advantage.
the scraper has already sowed
Convenience – 5 Price: $2.5
2. Chinese stamp under the company konad.
The shape of the stamp, the scraper is similar to the konad. The elastic band of the stamp is hard and elastic, just like the previous test subject. It is quite popular among girls and, I think, for good reason: the handle is comfortable, prints well, and the scraper removes excess easily. I think its downside is that the scraper has an iron plate.
Convenience - 4 Price: $2.5
3. Onglart stamp.
When the package with these stamps arrived (No. 3, 5,6), the first thought that came to me was “Oh, horror, what a disgusting fake.” I took it out of the bag, the rubber band stuck to my hands and fell out of the stamp. Not a very pleasant feeling, let me tell you. After wiping with alcohol or HDSL, the gum does not lose all its sticky properties. In short, I threw it away... But one day I took it out of the bins and tested it in action. Imagine my surprise that I was able to quickly and clearly make all the drawings that I had not been able to do before. They are easy to work with and very simple. The rubber band is very soft and slimy to the touch and falls out of the stamp. But I’m ready to forgive him his disgusting appearance for his work.
Convenience – 4 Price: $2.5
Next are two double stamps from Kand, which at first glance are identical, the only difference being the rubber band of the stamp.
4. with red elastic band
in terms of rigidity, the hardest of all tested. Prints pictures well. The handle is long, but uncomfortable for me. An iron scraper that scratches the plates; I prefer plastic ones.
Convenience – 5 Price: 5 $
5. with white elastic band.
So we came to the part that I had to redo. Throughout the experiment, I used a liquid without acetone (but as we know, it’s better with acetone to degrease the plate), so I also wiped it with alcohol.
During the experiment, this stamp always received either 1 or 2 points out of 5. The drawings were either not printed at all even after 10 times, or it was very vaguely similar to the drawing. I think, well, the whole stamp is no good. But after replacing the ZhDSL (pink in the photo) with a green Turkish company, the drawings began to be printed! Consequently, I had to redo part of the experience.
But it turned out that it clearly lacks clarity, and is very capricious in comparison with other stamps.
Convenience — 4 Price: $5
6. XL stamp with two plastic scrapers.
The rubber band is like stamp No. 3, only with a larger diameter - ideal for large drawings. Because Dies No. 1, 2, 4 have a limited field, but are not suitable for large designs.
Stamp No. 3 has the ability to spread and even large designs are obtained, as can be seen in the photo. Stencil S2 square pattern.
The scrapers are convenient, made of plastic - they do not damage the discs and remove excess from them well. The downside is that the elastic keeps falling out.
Convenience: 3 Price: $5.5
The meaning of the experiment
— find out whether it is necessary to use a special varnish for stamping and determine the best and most convenient stamp.
The varnishes that took part in the experiment were OPI E72, Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 and a special purple stamping varnish from Kand.
I chose the most popular disks m57, m65 and S2.
I printed each stamp with each varnish and stencil for objectivity with the result. I chose complex and small drawings where the greatest clarity of imprinting is needed. Each stamp was given only 1 attempt.
Let's see what happened
Stamp No. 1 with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 2 with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 3 with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 4 with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 5 with OPI varnish with all stencils. This is how it was before changing the fluid, after, sorry, but I can’t find a photo.
Stamp No. 6 with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 1 using Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 2 using Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 3 using Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 4 using Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 5 with Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 6 using Golden Rose Rich Color No. 29 varnish with all stencils.
Stamp No. 1 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Stamp No. 2 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Stamp No. 3 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Stamp No. 4 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Stamp No. 5 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Stamp No. 6 with a special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils.
Pivot tables.
Stamps with OPI varnish with all stencils.
Stamps with Golden Rose Rich Color varnish No. 29 and all stencils.
Stamps with special purple stamping varnish from Kand and all stencils
Based on the results in the tables, the average scores are:
Stamp No. 1 - 4.67 points Stamp No. 2 - 4.33 points Stamp No. 3 - 4.78 points Stamp No. 4 - 5 points Stamp No. 5 - 4.33 points Stamp No. 6 - 4.67 points
The first place is taken by stamp No. 4. The second is No. 3.
Conclusion:
special varnish is good, the drawings come out better with it. But if you don’t have the opportunity to purchase it, you can use any other well-pigmented varnish. I have only 4 special polishes - black, purple, yellow and gold.
Here is an example of my stamping
A
Thank you for reading to the end! I hope my post will be useful.
Increase
Paints
Paints for working using the stamping technique are presented in two formats - varnish-paint, which dries in the open air, and gel-paint, which hardens in a lamp.
Choosing a hybrid lamp for manicure and our rating
Despite the fact that gel paint manufacturers continue to release new shades, craftsmen prefer varnish paint, since it is easier to work with this product - it does not flow and has rich pigmentation. We will consider the manufacturers of both products, and all you have to do is choose the most suitable format for you.
TNL
TNL offers a large palette of varnish paints for stamping, but not all of them are equally rich and pigmented. Some bright shades turn out dull when printed, so be sure to proof them on a black background before using.
The paint is available in 7 g bottles. Price – 90 rubles.
TNL also offers gel paints in 20 different colors. It has a dense texture, does not spread and polymerizes in a UV or LED lamp.
El Corazon
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Publication from El Corazon Online Store
