Stamper comparison: Which stamper should I use?

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Hello!

Over my three years of nail stamping, I've accumulated quite a little set of stampers. I just received my newest one, and it has spurred me to put together a comparison for you of the basic types of stampers that are out there, what the pluses and minuses of each type are, and how/when to use each.

I made a video comparing the four main types, which you can find here:

It's helpful to see how each of the stampers move and and it's easiest for me to show you how to work with them in the video, so take a look if you have a moment; if you don't, don't worry because I'm going to do my best to explain it all here for you, too.


Here are the four main types of stampers I'll be talking about:

Konad, Cici&Sisi, Winstonia, and Creative Shop stampers

Konad, Cici&Sisi, Winstonia, and Creative Shop stampers

From left to right (in order of hardest to squishiest):

(1) Standard Konad stamper
(2) Cici&Sisi stamper (I got this in a stamping set, but you can buy similar stampers separately)
(3) Winstonia XL stamper (you can find this in other shops and on eBay as well)
(4) Creative Shop stamper


(1) Standard Konad stamper: 

Standard Konad stamper

Standard Konad stamper

This is the first stamper I ever owned, the one most stampers started with. It's a double-ended stamper with a smaller stamper on one end for smaller images. The rubber on both ends is very hard, and doesn't have much give.

How to use it: Stamp directly down with it onto your plate, and then roll the image onto your nails. Clean with acetone, remover, or regular scotch (cello) tape.

What I use this stamper for: This is the stamper I use whenever I have smaller images or images I want to place very precisely on my nail. I also use this stamper with plates that are harder to work with, if I'm having a hard time getting a good image with a squishier stamper.

Pluses: 

• The firm rubber gives you control when placing images precisely. 
• Handle allows good control.
• Works well with all plates and polishes.
• Stamper head stays put when you stamp.
• No need to prime the stamper (Priming = gently rubbing an eraser head or nail file over before use).

Minuses:

• The rubber doesn't have much give, so it's harder to use with large or curvy nails without getting warped images.
• If you have to push down hard repeatedly with this stamper, it can hurt if your nails are thin.
• Can't remove the head for techniques like image shrinking.
• Smaller head limits the size of the images you can pick up.
• Almost impossible to get French manicure  images to apply correctly.

(2) Cici&Sisi stamper

Cici&Sisi Stamper

Cici&Sisi Stamper

I got this stamper in a stamping plate set that I bought from Cici&Sisi; you can buy similar stampers separately, but I'm not sure how much the squishiness varies. The rubber on this stamper has a little more give than the Konad stamper, but isn't as squishy as the other two stampers.


How to use it: Roll the stamper over your image, and then stamp directly down onto your nail. (Notice this is the opposite of what you do with the harder Konad stamper). Clean with acetone, remover or tape; I recommend tape because it's hard to get off lint of hair otherwise.

What I use this stamper for: I mostly use this stamper when I'm doing the reverse stamping technique (when you pick up the image and then color it), or making nail decals; when I use those techniques, I like to prep as many of the images as possible and pull out all of my stampers. Otherwise, I don't use this much.

Pluses: 

• The slightly firm rubber gives you some improved control when placing images precisely, but also has a little give.
• Stamper head stays put when you stamp.

Minuses:

• The short handle can be harder to work with.
• The head isn't squishy enough to get all the benefits of a squishy stamper.
• Can't remove the head for techniques like image shrinking.
• Smaller head limits the size of the images you can pick up.
• Difficult to get French manicure images to apply correctly.
• This is the only stamper I've ever had to prime!

(3) Winstonia XL stamper (not exclusive to Winstonia)

Winstonia XL stamper

Winstonia XL stamper

How to use it: Roll the stamper over your image, and then stamp directly down onto your nail. (Notice this is the opposite of what you do with the harder Konad stamper). Clean with acetone, remover or tape; I recommend tape because it's hard to get off lint or hair otherwise. Also, I've heard people say that acetone/remover damages the head; I've been cleaning mine with acetone for a year with no damage, but why risk it when tape works really well?

What I use this stamper for: Pretty much everything, other than precise application of smaller images. This is an good stamper for making sure your entire nail is covered without warping your image.

Pluses: 

• Larger head picks up larger image area. 
• Squishy head allows the stamper to collapse over your nail for full coverage without warping.
• Longer handle allows for good control.
• Double-ended with a small tip for smaller images (made of firmer rubber).
• You can place even French manicure images without warping.
• Removable head can be used for techniques like shrinking images.

Minuses:

• The stamping head pops out or sinks into the holder when you use it (a reader left a note on my video that you can buy replacement heads that don't pop out to minimize this problem). 
• White polish is hard to see on the white head. 
• Can be a little bit fussier with plates/polishes that are harder to work with.
• Squishy heads pick up lint, etc. and require more cleaning.
• While I didn't need to prime this, I've heard many people say they did need to. 

(4) Creative Shop stamper

Creative Shop stamper

Creative Shop stamper

This is my newest stamper, and I'm still playing around with it. However, so far I adore it.

How to use it: Roll the stamper over your image, and then stamp directly down onto your nail. (Notice this is the opposite of what you do with the harder Konad stamper). Clean with tape; I haven't tried acetone/remover because I don't see a reason to risk damage when tape works so well.

What I use this stamper for: Pretty much everything, other than precise application of smaller images. This is an good stamper for making sure your entire nail is covered without warping your image. It's also excellent for specialty stamping techniques like reverse stamping; I haven't tried it for shrinking images yet, but don't see why it wouldn't work.

Pluses: 

• HUGE head picks up larger image area than any other stamp. 
• Squishy head allows the stamper to collapse over your nail for full coverage without warping.
• Handle is designed for excellent ergonimic control.
• Removable head can be used for techniques like shrinking images.
• Can pick up enough image from collage-style plates to create two nail decals (or reverse stamping images) at once from one image.
• You can place even French manicure images without warping.
• No need to prime this stamper.

Minuses:

• Can be a little fussier with plates/polish that are harder to work with.
• Squishy heads pick up lint, etc. and require more cleaning.
• Some people don't like the way the handle feels.
• Hard to find, although this is changing.

Hey wait!!! What about those rectangular stampers that are out there??

Yes, it's true, there are rectangular stampers out there, in both hard and squishy varieties:

Rectangular stampers: Squishy (white) & hard (green)

Why didn't I include them in my video? Because I honestly don't see an any advantage to them over the XL or Creative Shop stampers I showed you above. The idea behind these stampers was that they can pick up the rectangular images found on plates far better than the round Konad stamper; however, the stampers with larger heads can pick up those entire images, and much more.  There may be some benefit I'm missing to these rectangular babies--if so please tell me in the comments!


So, do I have a favorite? I love having different stampers for different things, and since I cut my stamping teeth on Konad, I'll always be more comfortable using that for some things than others. But, if some evil stamping gremlin dropped out of the sky and stole all of my stampers except one...I'd probably hope he left me the Creative Shop stamper. The versatility of the squishy head, the huge surface area and the comfy handle are all wonderful features. The Winstonia XL would be my second choice.

How about you? Do you own any/all of these? Do you have a favorite? Is there any factor here I forgot to consider?

Happy stamping! :)

M.

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