Paper crafting
greetings,
I was going to save this email until next week, but I'm getting questions about an announcement that was made to demonstrators on Tuesday. It's crazy how fast news & change travels.
First let me say, Stampin' Up! has been a strong and viable paper crafting company for almost 40 years. They embrace change,
always trying new things and staying above their competitors. Some who have sadly had to close their doors. Stampin' Up! is not going anywhere and their mission to provide high quality products to many, many crafters around the world is front and center. Also front and center is their way of selling products to you, through their demonstrators.
Stampin' Up! is a business, one that is and has been in the black.
Sometimes they have had to make changes and/or updates to their product line in order to remain a viable business. This is why I am writing.
This is the exact announcement I received:
"We have some updates about cling stamps and Stampin’ Write Markers, as well as some exciting news about new coordinating
packaging for stamps and dies. Here’s a quick snapshot:
Cling Stamps (Red Rubber)
We’ve decided to discontinue our cling stamp line due to key raw materials becoming increasingly difficult to source, with some no longer being manufactured at all. We will continue to offer a wide range of photopolymer stamps to support various artistic styles and techniques.
Stampin’ Write Markers
We have also decided to discontinue Stampin’ Write
Markers. With the growing popularity of Stampin’ Blends, we’ve seen a steady decline in sales of Stampin’ Write Markers. One of the primary techniques unique to Stampin’ Write Markers is coloring directly on cling stamps—a technique that will become less relevant as we transition away from cling.
New and Improved Stamp and Die Packaging
As part of our transition away from cling stamps, we’re excited to introduce updated packaging for stamps and dies! Because
photopolymer stamps are thinner, we’re able to offer sleeker, slimmer packaging that saves space. Both stamps and dies will now come in the same size and style of packaging, making it easier than ever to store bundles and coordinating products together. The new packaging is similar to our current die packaging—durable, clear plastic envelopes—but with an exciting improvement: Die packaging will now feature printed artwork for quick and easy identification! Stamp packaging will continue to
display artwork as well."
This is my Takeaway:
- Sourcing the ingredients to make red rubber for their cling stamps is becoming difficult. If they were able to get the ingredients, then it would be at a greater cost (my opinion) which would increase the price of these types of stamps for you and me.
- Sales of Stampin' Write markers has been significantly down due to the awesomeness of
the Blends Markers. I would think sales of these markers would be even less since the application of marker to stamp works much better on red rubber stamps then photopolymer and the Blends Markers have the same types of tips.
- Since SU will only be offering photopolymer stamps, then it makes sense to streamline the type of packaging. This new way should make it easier for all in getting organized and using less space. This is something we should get excited about - not
taking up as much space for our stamps.
Digging Deeper for information:
- Starting with November 2025 Online Exclusives, all new stamps will be photopolymer. New stamps will come in the new packaging.
- In November, you will have the option of purchasing sets of 10 envelope sleeves for your existing photopolymer stamps.
- Empty stamp cases will still
be available for purchase.
- Last Printed Catalogs to Include Cling Stamps are the September–December 2025 Mini Catalog and 2025–2026 Annual Catalog.
- Last Online Exclusives to Include Cling Stamps are the September 2025 Online Exclusives.
- Mini Catalog Cling Transition* - In December 2025, all cling stamps in the September–December 2025 Mini Catalog will move to Last Chance Products and be available while supplies last. No cling stamps from the mini catalog will carry
over.
- Annual Catalog Cling Transition* - In April 2026, all cling stamps in the 2025–2026 Annual Catalog will move to Last Chance Products and be available while supplies last. No cling stamps from the annual catalog will carry over.
- Online Exclusives Cling Transition - Cling stamps released in Online Exclusives through September 2025 will be supported—based on demand—until April 2026 at the latest. Some will likely discontinue prior to April.
- Final Transition - In April
2026, all remaining cling stamps across our offering will move to Last Chance Products and be available while supplies last.
*Please note: Some cling stamps in the September–December 2025 Mini Catalog and/or 2025–2026 Annual Catalog may sell through their remaining inventory prior to the December or April Last Chance Products updates. In those cases, the products will move directly to the Discontinued Products List rather than appearing in Last Chance
Products.
So now you know what I know. I will miss the red rubber stamps for the option of coloring on them with the Stampin' Write Markers, but to be honest, I prefer the ability to see exactly where I am stamping with the photopolymer stamps. I also much prefer to use Blends Markers than Stampin' Writes (and find I haven't used those in quite some time).
If
you prefer the red rubber stamps, then you may want to find some sets that you can use for years to come. Same as the Stampin' Write Markers, if you love them, then I would stock up on them.
I know I am excited to organize my shelf of stamps!
~Christine
