• You do not have to mount the rubber stamp to a piece of wood.Rubber stamp image by Bartlomiej Nowak from Fotolia.com
  
  Some rubber stamps do not come with a mount, making them more affordable to buy and also ship. Mounting a rubber stamp may seem like an overwhelming task the first time, but with some tips and practice, you will become less nervous about mounting your own stamps.
  
  

Trimming

• Trimming away excess material from the stamp will ensure that no stray ink marks appear on the paper later. Use a pair sharp scissors to trim up to the edge of the stamps design. Choose scissors that have shorter shears so you can make as precise a cut are possible. If you are nervous about cutting too close to the stamp’s design, trim away small sections at a time. Take your time trimming the stamp, since rushing may cause you to cut away part of the design.
  
  

Cushion

• Place some cushion material between the rubber stamp and its mount. Some unmounted rubber stamps come with a cushion kit that require you to simply peel off a backing paper and stick the cushion onto the stamp. If your stamp did not come with a cushion, you can use sponge rubber and attach the two with rubber cement. You can attach the cushion to the stamp either before or after trimming the stamp. If you have already trimmed the stamp, then you will need to trim away any pieces of the cushion material that protrude from the rubber stamp.
  
  

Mounts

• You do not need to use wood for your stamp’s mount, although wood is a traditional choice. Some crafters use clear plastic bricks, allowing them to see exactly where they are placing the stamp on the paper. What you decide to use for your mount depends on your preference. You do need to use a material that has a flat surface larger than your stamp. Make sure that you can apply pressure to the stamp using the mount.