* PRODUCT & MATERIAL

These imprint tools were designed by me to be used for polymer clay.

Use Suggestions:
1. Mokume Gane
2. Mica Shift
3. Lightly imprint a pattern into clay then colour the surrounding area with Pan Pastels
4. Use as a Stamp with Acrylic Paint (water and soft brush for cleanup)

They are 3-D printed in my home in Ontario, Canada.

The imprint base is approximately 3mm (1/4") thick and the working imprint area is 1mm (1/2 ") high. The base is 5.5cm (2") square.

* USE

These imprint tools do not have a handle, so they need to be lifted from the polymer clay by the edges of the tool.

Depending on the clay that you are using and the thickness, I would recommend a small amount of release agent (water, ArmourAll, etc). Another suggestion is to place SaranWrap or thin deli sheet between the tool and your clay - this will give a rounder impression and no chance of sticking. Practice on scrap clay to get the feel of the pressure that is required. Due to the complexity of the design there is strong suction between the clay & the tool. If needed, gently rock the stamp back & forth in the polymer to remove after imprinting.

There are 2 processes that I use, after imprinting, for mokume gane. 1. By gently compressing all the sides of the stack, nudge the clay together, lightly roll the top of the stack to flatten, continue to compress the stack. Slice. or 2. Lightly compress, but when you slice, place your pieces onto a contrasting colour, allowing the holes and lines of the pattern to be accented.

After imprinting, you can either slice across the surface by hand or adhere it to the backplate of a slicer (i.e. Lucy Slicer or the PRO Slicer which my husband manufactures www.garbedesigngroup.com).

If polymer clay does get trapped in the imprint tool, it can be removed carefully with a needle tool or toothpick and placed back into your stack.