Tonic Tim Holtz Stamp Platform

I have been eyeing this for quite a while. It is worth the money and I highly recommend it. I was considering this or its pink competitor but ultimately price was the deciding factor and I chose this one. I think I made the right choice. I was concerned that it would be too large based on pictures and online reviews that it is bulky and takes up a lot of space. I don't find this to be the case. I had very clear stamped images when I used it and it makes stamping more fun and less frustrating because you don't ruin cards you worked hard on by messing up on a nearly finished card. I used good quality (Hero Arts) clear and rubber stamps without difficulty.Pros: Sturdy, 2 open ends allows you to use different sized papers, good price, achieves good stamped images.Cons: Cannot see the measurements easily (too small and too light). I wish it has a grid on bottom plate as wellI have watched an embarrassing amount of online stamp videos since I discovered the hobby about 8 months ago. What I have learned from watching is, the ink, the stamps, the platform, and the paper can make a huge impact in getting a clear stamped image. I just watched a video showing that the same good quality stamp and good quality ink can have a very different result depending on the type of card stock you are using. So those who are reviewing and getting bad results, consider if you are using good quality materials or the dollar bin stamps.I suspect that some of the problems are due to bargain materials.

I haven’t been stamping for long and I was using acrylic blocks. Then I realized I was terrible at stamping. I couldn’t get the sentiments straight, or I was dropping the block with an inked stamp attached on to my backgrounds, another error I was dropping my ink pads on to the backgrounds.I had looked into stamping platforms and couldn’t believe how expensive the Misti was also the Misti company sued other companies from using the hinge design on their stamping platforms, so I decided to look elsewhere. Eventually I came across the Tim Holtz stamping platform, the price was better, and finally I bought it. Bonus: it arrived from the UK two days earlier than expected.I’m finally able to restamp images and sentiments without any errors, I no longer get ink smudges from dropping a block or ink pad on to my background, because the stamp is attached to the clear door on the opposite side away from the card or background. I am now able to correctly align layering stamps.I wrapped washi tape and made a handle around the small but strong magnets. It makes them easier to lift up, although I’ve watched YouTube videos where TH recommends sliding the magnets across the base. I haven’t noticed the washi tape interfering with the strength of the magnets.My stamping platform is aligned correctly and I’ve used the clear stamp side and rubber stamp side. Both work perfectly. It’s great that two sides of the platform are open to accommodate various sizes of paper.The stamping tool makes it easier and quicker to mass produce cards. I couldn’t be happier.

I must say I love this product. So easy to use. The price was amazing. You place your card stock down, put the magnets in the corners. Place your stamp where you want it. The alignment is perfect. If you don't have enough ink and want more. Boom... you can add more. Never move the stamp or card stock. You could add more than one stamp and two colors of ink. The versatility of this product is amazing. A must have!

I'm already a big fan of Tim Holtz and his crafting supplies (stencils, rubber stamps, ink pads). I had been wanting a stamping tool like this for awhile, but other brands/models that were on the market were too expensive. Tim's version was about half the cost of other similar stamping platforms. I also watched lots of demo videos on YouTube before buying--this looked easy to use and well made, so I ordered it. I'm so pleased with my purchase! The first thing you'll notice is that it is a quality product, solidly built of high-quality materials. It's heavy enough so that it provides a stable stamping base, but light enough to be portable. What I love about Tim is that he thinks of everything when designing products -- he's a crafter so he knows what is important to other crafters. This tool can be used with both cushioned red rubber stamps, and clear cling stamps, with just a simple flip of the top lid. There's a handy ruler guide along the top and left for accurate alignment of your card stock, and grid lines along the lid as well. Brilliantly, the right and bottom sides are open so you can easily insert paper that's larger than the actual base of the stamp platform, making this tool very versatile. Finally, the stamp platform arrives packaged very well in a cushioned cardboard box with a sliding cover that's perfect for safely storing the tool between uses. I opted to buy the coordinating carrying/storage case made of padded Neoprene - another good investment! Overall, Tim Holtz does it again!

I purchased this platform a year ago and dissatisfied. I'm an experienced crafter. I have used several stamping platforms at card club with success. I know the positions for clear and rubber stamps; however, this works great for rubber stamps but NOT for clear stamps. The alignment is not correct and the pressure needed to get a good impression from clear stamps is just short of breaking the lid. It needs a stamp pad with the exact thickness needed--or let us know what we can use to create such a pad. Otherwise this platform is useless except for a few old red rubber stamps in my collection. Other platforms give an option for a "mouse pad:" Why can't we get one for this platform? UPDATE: Changed fro 3 to 4 stars. I just discovered why there there are no accessories and this item may one day not be available. I hope that Tim Holtz comes up with an even better design that does not include the hinges. I will buy that one. Btw, I will never buy that other brand.