What is The Best Way to Letter Stamp Silver Charms?

by Katie Trusler Ward
(Aurora, Ontario)

Letter Stamps

Question

I am trying to letter stamp silver charms without them looking too messy and without the imprint of the letter coming through on the other side.

What is the best way to do this?

Answer

Hi Katie,

Thanks so much for your question!

Letter stamping onto metal sheet and metal charms has become pretty popular hasn't it? I've seen lots of Indie jewelry artists working with this technique lately.

I'm no expert on this, but I have experimented with stamping onto little sterling discs and copper sheet.

Here is what I've discovered:

• Using a heavy hammer to strike the stamps makes for a MUCH better impression
  
  
• I like to use this two step hammering process:
  
  
• Tap once lightly to get the feel for where to strike, then strike hard. DO NOT strike the stamp again.
  
  
• Make sure you use a steel block or anvil underneath your silver charm.
  
  
• If you are getting impression showing through the other side, try to find thicker gauge charms.
  
  
• It's tricky getting the stamps to line up properly. You can try using registration marks (black marker on the charms to line up the edges of the stamp - removable with rubbing alcohol). I'm pretty lazy so what I do is purposely offset my stamps in a "whimsical" way so it looks like I meant them to be a little messy.