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While putting your custom impression into soap may feel like just an artistic expression, there is some science to it. Your recipe along with different elements such as fragrances and additives can affect the quality of the impression. Hard recipes can be stamped sooner, while soft recipes need more time. Finding what works for your recipes might take some trial and error.
TRY THIS: Reserve a few bars from your next batch to practice on. After your soap is ready to remove from the mold and cut into bars, stamp a bar, then wait a day or two and stamp again in a different spot, then try again a day or two after. When the imprint is crisp and neat, you have found the right timing.
If you are using the cold process method, you will want to let your soap dry and harden a bit before you stamp it. If you stamp too soon, the soap still be sticky and soft and the resulting imprint won't be clean and neat. If you wait too long, the soap will too hard and it will crack. Most people wait between 2-5 days after cutting before stamping their soap bars, and some get great results after a week or two.
To use the stamp, press it down firmly, and if it is a large image, press on different parts of the stamp to make sure the whole image was pressed in. Then very gently and slowly, pull the stamp out. Pulling quickly could tear the soap.
If you are using the hot process method, try stamping a bar of soap soon after cutting. If the imprint doesn't turn out nice and neat, then wait a day and try again (a test bar or using end cuts are a good idea). A range of time that works best for people is between 1 and 7 days, depending on how hard or soft your recipe is. You might have to do some trial and error to find out the right timing for your recipe.
If you are using the melt and pour method, stamp your soap right after removing from the molds or right after you cut it. If you don't do this soon after cutting, the soap will be too hard to get a good impression.
We recommend using a small rubber mallet to help stamp your soap. Hit all around the stamp multiple times using gentle but firm taps. Hitting too hard can cause the stamp to crack or break.
To help prevent the soap from sticking to your stamp, a simple spray of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) can be used. Before pressing the stamp into the soap, spray the stamp with the alcohol solution. This will help avoid pulling up chunks of soap with the stamp, allowing for a cleaner release.
You can also use a tray filled with rubbing alcohol and dip your stamp in it before pressing into your soap.
NOTE: Glycerin and Mica will also work as a stamp release solution.
While it can be tempting to put a lot of detail in your stamp design, this can actually make it look cluttered and hard to read. Leave the extra stuff like ingredients for a sleeve or label.
Try including just your name and logo on the stamp design.
