Stamping is something you'll want to practice before applying it to the final product. First you'll need to decide on the paper you're using, the type and color or ink, and what kind of stamp you want to use. One way to use stamp designs is to apply them to a separate paper, and use this paper as a background, or border for your invitations. Or, you can apply the stamp directly to the invitation.
Hand applied stamps can be tricky. If you push too hard they can leave an outline around the stamp, and if you move the stamp while pressing you can smudge the image. You also have to watch out for getting too much, or too little, ink on the stamp. But as with many things, practice makes perfect.
For the best image possible you probably want to use a good rubber stamp. Rubber stamping is the most common form of stamping, but experiment with different types of stamps to see what works best for you.
As for ink, both water-based dye inks and water- or oil-based pigment inks work, but the choice depends on what end result you want. You might want to try both and choose the one that looks the best for your invitation. Water-based pigment inks are easier to clean up, or remove from clothing in case of a spill, but they also take longer to dry. The dye inks dry quickly, especially on more porous types of paper.
When it comes to choosing the stamp itself, you either can purchase mounted rubber stamps, or unmounted ones. Unmounted stamps cost less than mounted stamps, but, of course, you have to mount them yourself. If you don't mind doing the mounting yourself, you can save money by mounting them on any piece of wood. Unmounted stamps usually come with an adhesive side that sticks to the surface you want to mount it on. They even make a mounting system that is made out of hard high-quality foam that you can cut to size before mounting, to use as an adhesive.
There are magazines and other resources for learning about stamping. Your local art or scrapbooking store may offer classes. If you find yourself interested in this craft, stamping doesn't have to end with your wedding. Scrapbooking can be great fun, and the possibilities for creating other pieces of art with stamps are endless.
