It would be nice to have a different icon for this type of stamp. It would be a stamp made at home (so not "custom") but also not "hand carved". Stamps made with a CNC machine doing the carving or a 3D printer making the stamp would also qualify for this "home custom" icon.

But with no new icon, I'd go with "custom" then explain in the clue.

It may be a custom stamp, but it would still be hand stamped.

Yes, entirely. I was referring to the "hand carved" part...sorry, I was trying to quote the actual phrase that people refer to when relaying the qualities of an LTC. I didn't make myself very clear.

To clarify: would a custom stamp qualify as the "hand carved" part of the LTC?

Wyvern

In my opinion, it may not be hand "carved", but it's still hand made. Close enough. =)

I know several ways to make a personalized stamp that don't include actual carving. I've made stamps with kids that don't involve the use of a sharp tool. No matter what method is used to make the stamp it's still much better than a store bought, mass produced stamp in my book.

In my opinion, it may not be hand "carved", but it's still hand made. Close enough.

That's why I think there needs to be a new type in between. It can be "home custom" meaning that it was made at home but not a hand-carved stamp. This can be done with the Stamp Maker machine, other photopolymers, done with a CNC or laser cutter, or Sugru. I'm sure that there are even more ways of making a stamp at home rather than carving out of some type of rubber.

<hint><hint>Should I post this to the "Suggestions" group to get it noticed?</hint></hint>

Should I post this to the "Suggestions" group to get it noticed?

Until it becomes a lot more common, I don't see a need for more than mentioning it in the clues. Why bother Ryan with something that's only going to pop up a few times at this point.

would a custom stamp qualify as the "hand carved" part of the LTC?

For me, it would not.

The stampmaker machine looks interesting but isn't it kind of like the difference between a handmade quilt and a mass produced store bought one?

I see your point, but I view it more like the difference between hand quilting and machine quilting. Both quilts are made by hand at home and are personalized with your own fabrics, color scheme etc. They may not be exactly the same, but either is far preferable to the mass produced store bought quilt.

For the stamp, you'd still have to figure out your own artwork, prepare it all, etc. But I don't know exactly how to use the stampmaker, so maybe I have it all wrong.

Just to clarify, in my mind, I'm only making a copy of a stamp I already carved by hand. I think this is very different from preparing art and using the stampmaker to create the stamp.

To me, the first is closer to qualifying for hand-carved, because the original version was. The latter is closer to custom.

I view it more like the difference between hand quilting and machine quilting.

Yes - that is a better comparison. Thank you:-)

For the stamp, you'd still have to figure out your own artwork, prepare it all, etc.

I agree but then the machine does the actual carving which to me is the craftsmanship/artistic production part of a hand carved rubber stamp.

But a copy of a hand carved stamp was not itself, hand carved. I would call it a custom stamp.

If you made a copy of a hand carved stamp, which one would you use for LTCs? Which would you plant in a traditional box?

If you made a copy of a hand carved stamp, which one would you use for LTCs? Which would you plant in a traditional box?

If I actually did this, I'd probably keep the copy at home for LTCs and a spare in case the original was lost. In fact, I'd probably make LTCs with the original before I planted, and just keep the copy if I needed more cards down the line. I'd go this way because in a plant, people actually see the stamp, and get to see how it was carved, which I always find interesting.

fk

I'd go this way because in a plant, people actually see the stamp, and get to see how it was carved, which I always find interesting.

Agreed, we would probably still look for a traditional box with a copied/custom stamp but would enjoy it more with the original, hand carved one.

From your logbook I see now that you do unlimited additions of many of your LTCs so understand why you might want to make a spare copy of stamps. I'd want a "first edition" of your LTC, made from the original though:-)

It's an interesting machine - I could see it as a great investment for an etsy seller...

I have been letterboxing since late June 2013 so am late to this discussion. I have been taking drawing lessons for awhile and have many images, mostly pencil that I have been turning into stamps using the Stampmaker machine. I am wondering how these will perform/last outdoors with the changing temperatures etc. Anyone using these stamps have comments on performance or hints? Also acceptance...

I don't have any info about the performance and longevity of that type of stamp, but I wouldn't worry about people not finding/loving your custom made stamps. Even though they are not hand-carved, they are still unique stamps that you can only find in your boxes. Welcome to the hobby!