10 Ways To Use a Postage Stamp On a Scrapbook Page
Expert Guidance for Digital Scrapbooking

What is a postage stamp? In the world of digital scrapbooking, you will find postage stamps that are scans of the real thing or have been created from scratch by a digital designer. They typically look like an adhesive paper label used for mailing letters, postcards, and packages. Some will have a cancellation mark on them and some will not. They will have perforations on at least two sides.

You should find postage stamps in many of the kits you own. They can also be found in kits online. Do you have a digital postage stamp you love, but are struggling to use it on your scrapbook page? Here’s some help:

Stamp Way #1 — Fasten a Photo

In this example, we’ll assume the stamp is super sticky! So, use it to stick down a photo. Here are some guidelines for this:

• Stamps are thin, so to make them look realistic, add a very low drop shadow, like a size and distance of 3.
• Stamps stick other things tight to the page. To make your placement look realistic on top of bulkier things, like a stack of papers or photos, then place the stamp on the top or left edge.
• For this example, I’d recommend keeping the size of the stamp small to resemble the size of a real stamp.

The stamp above is from Vintage Easter Village Collection by Karen Schulz.

Stamp Way #2 – Staple Into a Mini Cluster

In this example, we’ll assume the stamp has lost its stickiness. But that’s not a problem, because it’s the perfect opportunity to staple it into a mini cluster.

• Because the stamp isn’t sticky, you’ll need to fasten it down with something else.
• Because the stamp isn’t sticky, you’ll also have a lot more room for getting creative with the stamp’s drop shadow. A custom shadow here is perfect!
• Slip one or two small items under the fastener to jazz it up a bit.
• For this example, I’d recommend keeping the size of the stamp small to resemble the size of a real stamp.

The stamp above is from Passport by Sahin Designs.

Stamp Way #3 – Duplicate, Connect & Use As an Anchor

Duplicating and connecting stamps will give you the look of a stamp sheet or a portion of it.

• Only use this example if the edges of the stamp do not have extra parts on the corners or edges.
• Duplicate and align the stamps into any shape, making sure all edges precisely connect.
• Use the stamp sheet as an anchor for a cluster or photo.
• I recommend treating this grouping as sticky, so apply a very low drop shadow to the group, like a size and distance of 3.
• For this example, I’d recommend keeping the size of the stamps small to resemble the size of a real stamp.

The stamp above is from Lots of Love by Aprilisa Designs.

Stamp Way #4 – Duplicate, Separate & Clip One Photo

Stamps are great to use just for their shape! They make great clipping masks.

• Use this example when the edges of the stamp have extra parts on the corners or edges.
• Duplicate and align the stamps horizontally or vertically, then group the stamps.
• Clip a landscape photo to the group.
• You could treat the stamps in this example as sticky or non-sticky.
  • If you want the stamps to look sticky, then use a very low drop shadow, like a size and distance of 3.
  • If you want the stamps to look non-sticky, make sure to use a fastener, like a staple or tape.
• The size of the stamps doesn’t really matter, but enlarging a stamp element too much will cause its edges to lose their crisp look.

The stamp above is from Artful Memories Autumn by Vicki Robinson Designs. The photo is a stock photo.

Stamp Way #5 – Duplicate, Separate & Clip a Series of Photos

Any kind of clipping masks, when duplicated and lined up, work great for telling a story or displaying a collection. When those clipping masks are stamps, the edges of the clipping masks are extra special.

• Duplicate and align the stamps horizontally.
• Clip one photo to each stamp. This works best if the line of photos tells the progression of a story or displays a collection.
• I recommend treating this grouping as sticky, so apply a very low drop shadow to the group, like a size and distance of 3.
• The size of the stamps does not really matter, but enlarging a stamp element too much may cause its edges to lose their crisp look.

The stamp above is from Seas the Day by Bellisae Designs. The photos are stock photos.

Stamp Way #6 – Duplicate, Connect & Clip One Photo

Use one stamp to create a stamp sheet, then use the stamp sheet as a clipping mask. The perforations add a special touch.

• Duplicate and align the stamps in a grid pattern, then group the stamps.
• Clip a photo to the group.
• I recommend treating this grouping as sticky, so apply a very low drop shadow to the group, like a size and distance of 3.
• The size of the stamps does not really matter, but enlarging a stamp element too much may cause its edges to lose their crisp look.

The stamp above is from A Camp Tale by Kristin Cronin-Barrow. The photo is a stock photo.

Stamp Way #7 – Replace the Stamp’s Image With a Photo

One of the ways you can repurpose a stamp is to replace the image it contains.

• On a new layer, add a rectangular clipping mask the exact size of the stamp’s image.
• Clip a photo to the clipping mask.
• You could treat the stamp in this example as sticky or non-sticky.
  • If you want the stamp to look sticky, then use a very low drop shadow, like a size and distance of 3.
  • If you want the stamp to look non-sticky, make sure to use a fastener, like a staple or tape.
  • Only shadow the original stamp layer, not the clipping mask layer.
• The size of the stamp doesn’t really matter, but enlarging a stamp element too much may cause its edges to lose their crisp look.

The stamp above is from Tones of Green by Palvinka Designs. The photo is a stock photo.

Stamp Way #8 – Replace the Stamp’s Image With a Paper and Text

Don’t forget that you can be the designer of the stamp in your stash. By replacing the stamp’s image with a clipping mask, you can clip paper and make the stamp into anything your little heart desires.

• On a new layer, add a rectangular clipping mask the exact size of the stamp’s image.
• Clip a paper to the clipping mask. Add text, if desired.
• You could treat the stamp in this example as sticky or non-sticky.
  • If you want the stamp to look sticky, then use a very low drop shadow, like a size and distance of 3.
  • If you want the stamp to look non-sticky, make sure to use a fastener, like a staple or tape.
  • Only shadow the original stamp layer, not the clipping mask layer.
• For this example, I’d recommend keeping the size of the stamp small to resemble the size of a real stamp.

The stamp above is from Fa La La by Mari Koegelenberg.

Stamp Way #9 – Finish Off an Envelope Or Postcard

What better use of a stamp than to stick it to a postcard or envelope? It will make the postcard look more complete. Add a cancellation mark to make it look even better!

• I recommend treating this stamp example as sticky, so apply a very low drop shadow to the stamp, like a size and distance of 3.
• For this example, I’d recommend keeping the size of the stamp small to resemble the size of a real stamp.

The stamp above is from Art Options #29 by Katie Pertiet. The rest is from Ready To Explore by Karen Schulz.

Stamp Way #10 – Tuck It In

The most common use for postage stamps in digital scrapbooking is to tuck them into clusters. They are meant to be a support to the cluster, not the focus of the cluster. Above are some examples.

• When a stamp is tucked into a cluster, it should always have a shadow applied.

The first cluster above was created using Vintage Easter Village Collection by Karen Schulz.
The middle cluster above was created using Artful Memories Spring by Vicki Robinson Designs.
The last cluster above was created using A Camp Tale by Kristin Cronin-Barrow.

This page by Barbara Houston uses stamps to tuck in as fillers behind her photos. This page was created using Jenifer Juris’ Envelope Explosion class.

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Author: Jen White | Contact Us
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