Painting with a stamp is like applying a virtual rubber stamprto your picture or layout . You can use the stamps that are provided by Digital Image, or create a stamp of your own. Stamps are not the same as brushes in Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, but with a little creativity, they are very fun and a very useful tool. This tutorial will show you how to use stamps in DIP and how to make your own stamp from a PNG file; since many digital scrapbooking designers include a PNG file with their brushes sets.

First to locate the stamp feature. Open up a background paper or blank/transparent image. I will be working on a blank 12inx12in 200dpi background.

On the Effects menu, point to Paint Brush, and then click Stamps

Under Select a stamping style, select a style. You have a choice of stamps, overlapping stamps, shapes and eraser. I am clicking on the stamps (the first box).

Under Select a stamp, select a stamp image. Open up all the stamp images by click on the fly out arrow.

Select the stamp you would like to use by clicking on it. I will be working with the yellow flower. You can change the size of your stamp by dragging the arrow on the size. You can also change the transparency on the customizing selection.

The color can only be changed if you are working with a shape (does not work with stamps).

Now just stamp away on your background paper. When you are happy with the look click on done. You will get this box.

The stamps will be flattened into one layer. Click on ok. This is my flowers I made.

Now I can drag this set of stamps onto a background paper or layout I am working on.

Now lets make a stamp from a PNG File. I will be working on a sun PNG file from my "Heavenly Sunrise kit". Stamps can be made from photos also.

On the Effects menu, point to Paint Brush, and then click Stamps.

Under Select a stamping style, select a style.

Under Select a stamp, click Make a stamp.

Click on open picture to browse for your PNG file.

Browse for the PNG file and click on OK.

You will now see that your png file is in the Stamp window (COOL!!!), this image will be automatically saved in your stamps window for use later on.

Stamp away on your paper or background.

To delete unwanted stamps. Click again on "Make a Stamp"

Then delete stamps.

Browse for your image you would like to delete and click on done.

Have fun. Get creative, remember to play with the eraser tool. This can be fun!!

For a printable version of this tutorial click here