How To Mount Self Adhesive Stamps That Are On Paper

I've started collecting again after many years. I've read that with the self adhesive stamps, you just trim the paper around them. In the past when you could soak the stamps off the paper, I typically used hinges for used stamps. But that was before the adhesive stamps came out. My question is how do you mount them after trimming them. Hinges? Anything else (besides Showgard mounts)? I have a ton of the Forever stamps that I need to mount.

I trim them with a craft knife, neatly leaving a small margin, then mount either with hinges or on whichever type of transparent mount I have to hand at the time. Whatever suits, really.

Those on envelopes should stay in place with a hinge. Those on postcards need something stronger - perhaps a dab of glue stick (if you aren't using an expensive printed page) or a mount. Haven't tried the double-sided, but removeable, tape that others have mentioned on various threads.

If you get a little adventurous, it is possible to remove these self-adhesives, leaving no sticky residue, but it does take a little practice. I like to do it because the album is less thick if the paper is removed, and I just like the "clean" look better too.

I use pure citrus air freshener spray, that you can find at Home Depot or Amazon. You can do a search on the forum if you'd like to learn more. I personally spray both sides of the stamp on piece, let it sit for about 30 seconds or so, and then peel the backing paper off the stamp - not the other way around, as this way keeps the stamp itself flat so it doesn't curl. I them spray the gooey back of the stamp again, let it sit for about 15 seconds, and then scrape the goo off with the edge of a credit card in 2 strokes - once from the center of the stamp towards the top, and the next time from the center to the bottom. I wipe the goo off the credit card edge between scrapes.

This results in a stamp with no sticky residue at all, that quickly dries clean, and is ready for mounting.

Matt

River,

You can YouTube what Matt is saying. Very informative.

Jack Kelley