# How to 3D Print molds for custom Stamps @ustreasury ## Overview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3blGj4w8aF0 In this week's project we'll take a look at making stamps using a 3d printed mold. Inquires? email legal@adafruit.com Usually a simple stamp design can work with plain PLA by orienting the design flat on the bed. However, more complex artwork will require making a silicone/rubber mold out of a 3d printed negative. To get higher resolutions for complex artwork, we’ll need to print our design vertically. Ink doesn't transfer well to printed parts when the layer lines are vertical, so we'll need to use casting putty to create our stamp molds. Printing parts up right benefits from a (theoretical) resolution in the x-y-plane of 12.5 micrometer, which together with a layer height of about 0.15 mm will give you much more detail for the mold part. To build the stamp design, we used a lithophane generator to create a 3d map of our design. It works by translating the black and white values into bumps that form the image of the design. We'll adjust the settings so we can invert the design to create the negative for making a putty mold. The putty is  silicone base, so its able to transfer ink really well. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/046/591/medium800/3d_printing_hero-stamps.jpg?1505701171) ## Parts   To create the molds for the stamps, we'll only need a couple of parts and tools. - Scale - [3d printer](https://www.adafruit.com/category/245) - [flush cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) - play-doh - [Amazing mold putty](moldputty.com) ![3d_printing_parts2.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/046/618/medium640/3d_printing_parts2.jpg?1505706039) ## Two part mold putty   This mixture is easy to use and cures in 15 minutes!   It has a mix ratio of 1:1 with a work time of 2-3 minutes. This means will need to measure how much putty we'll require for our part and then divide that number by two for each part of the putty mix.    After casting the "demold" time (cures) is about 20 minutes.    ![3d_printing_parts.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/046/617/medium640/3d_printing_parts.jpg?1505705939) ### Filament for 3D Printers in Various Colors and Types [Filament for 3D Printers in Various Colors and Types](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080) Having a 3D printer without filament is sort of like having a regular printer without paper or ink.  And while a lot of printers come with some filament there's a good chance you've been printing up a storm and need something new.  That's why we've started carrying a... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2080/guides) ![Filament for 3D printers in various colors and types stacked together.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/2080-07.jpg) ### Spudger - Double Sided Prying Tool [Spudger - Double Sided Prying Tool](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3434) Is there something missing from your tool kit or workstation? Are you having trouble figuring out which elusive tool it is that you're lacking? Perhaps it's a spudger! "A what?" A  **s-p-u-d-g-e-r**! It's a prying tool that has a wide... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3434) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3434/guides) ![Stainless steel double-ended prying tool](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3434-01.jpg) ### Super Scissors [Super Scissors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599) Save your scissors! Instead of using your nice shears (and dulling them) or wire cutters (not right for the job) - use these super scissors. They're meant for engineering/maker cutting jobs such as cutting plastic, leather, copper sheet/wire, even coaxial & ribbon cables. There's a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1599/guides) ![Very strong looking scissors with comfy grip](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/1599-09.jpg) ### Flush diagonal cutters [Flush diagonal cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) These are the best diagonal cutters, large super-comfortable grip to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I've used my pair every day for years. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/152/guides) ![Red and black diagonal flush cutters](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/152-02.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-3d-print-molds-for-custom-stamps/design-the-mold.md) ## Featured Products ### Filament for 3D Printers in Various Colors and Types [Filament for 3D Printers in Various Colors and Types](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080) Having a 3D printer without filament is sort of like having a regular printer without paper or ink.  And while a lot of printers come with some filament there's a good chance you've been printing up a storm and need something new.  That's why we've started carrying a... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2080/guides) ### Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer [Ultimaker 2+ 3D Printer](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2673) The **Ultimaker 2+** is one of our favorite 3D printers on the market. It's a well-built open-source compact machine with an excellent UX. Every inch of the Ultimaker 2+ is designed to create the most effortless and reliable 3D printing experience ever!  No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2673) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2673/guides) ### Flush diagonal cutters [Flush diagonal cutters](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) These are the best diagonal cutters, large super-comfortable grip to use and have strong nippers for perfect trimming of wires and leads. I've used my pair every day for years. In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/152) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/152/guides) ### Super Scissors [Super Scissors](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599) Save your scissors! Instead of using your nice shears (and dulling them) or wire cutters (not right for the job) - use these super scissors. They're meant for engineering/maker cutting jobs such as cutting plastic, leather, copper sheet/wire, even coaxial & ribbon cables. There's a... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1599) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/1599/guides) ### Spudger - Double Sided Prying Tool [Spudger - Double Sided Prying Tool](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3434) Is there something missing from your tool kit or workstation? Are you having trouble figuring out which elusive tool it is that you're lacking? Perhaps it's a spudger! "A what?" A  **s-p-u-d-g-e-r**! It's a prying tool that has a wide... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3434) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3434/guides) ## Related Guides - [Digital Clock with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/digital-clock-with-circuitpython.md) - [Motorized Grinch Fireplace](https://learn.adafruit.com/grinch-fireplace.md) - [PyPortal Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-case.md) - [Asteroid Tracker](https://learn.adafruit.com/asteroid-tracker.md) - ["Mother of all Demos" USB Keyset](https://learn.adafruit.com/usb-keyset.md) - [Dune Worm Thumper](https://learn.adafruit.com/dune-worm-thumper.md) - [QT Py S2 Round Display Compass](https://learn.adafruit.com/qt-py-s2-round-display-compass.md) - [LED Acrylic Sign](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-acrylic-sign.md) - [Green Goblin Pumpkin CPB Ornament](https://learn.adafruit.com/green-goblin-pumpkin-cpb-ornament.md) - [A NeoPixel Pomodoro Timer](https://learn.adafruit.com/a-neopixel-pomodoro-timer.md) - [Chauncey the Flower Care Bot with CLUE and Bonsai Buckaroo](https://learn.adafruit.com/chauncey-flower-watering-bot-clue.md) - [Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/raspberry-pi-hq-camera-case.md) - [Doomscroll and Chill - A Wireless BLE Scroll Wheel Remote](https://learn.adafruit.com/doomscroll-and-chill-wireless-ble-scroll-wheel-rotary-encoder-remote.md) - [Decorative Pointy Elf Ear Bud Holders](https://learn.adafruit.com/elf-ears.md) - [3D Printed NeoPixel LED Gas Mask](https://learn.adafruit.com/3d-printed-el-wire-laser-neopixel-led-gas-mask.md)