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Thanks, Shaz XX

Saturday 29 April 2017

Here it is- The Tonic/Tim Holtz Stamping Platform

Right then, freshly arrived this morning, the long awaited Tonic/Tim Holtz Stamping Platform.
 I had the email to say it was shipped yesterday, and was surprised to get it so soon, as I know in the USA people are still waiting- I think something to do with the Patent case being brought by Sweet Petunia re the MISTI.

Anyway, here first is the unboxing.



It came in a nice strong cardboard box, which was inside a polybag.
 Next layer was what you see above, which is a card sleeve, all inside a plastic layer.





 Remove the plastic and the sleeve, and you see a layer of foam above the tool, which is encased in a strong cardboard outer frame.



Remove the foam and you can see it is also sat on a layer of foam. So, so far, full marks for packaging and presentation.



And here it is out of the box. As you see it comes with two magnets to hold your paper/cardstock in place.

I also like that the hinge is a solid metal bar, and the slots the hinge fits into are also metal lined, so breakage/wear is not going to be an issue.

The lid lifts free, you can probably just see the red writing in the top corners, which tell you which side to use for either rubber or clear stamps.
 The top also has a grid moulded into it, but presents no difficulty for cleaning. The bottom is completely smooth, and again, cleans easily.





Flipped over, non-slip feet at the top, and a foam rubber mat. So, no slipping and sliding.







How well  does it work? I've selected some squares of hammer effect cardstock, which normally would give really poor print results.









Cardstock is held in place with two magnets, and you place your stamp face down on the cardstock, where you want the image to go.
 Close the lid down onto the stamp to pick it up, open up and ink your stamp.





This is the first imprint on the hammer effect cardstock. In honesty, I'd be happy with this as is, but I can simply reink the stamp, and stamp exactly over the top to darken the image.








The re inking has made her raised leg as dark as the rest of the image. By the way, at the moment I'm using Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black.




So, a solid silhouette stamp came out very nicely.







Next onto a stamp with more detail, a circle of stars. Both these images are from Lavinia Stamps.




The Memento Luxe is a foam type pad, so overinking your stamp is always a problem, especially if it has a large, open area like this one does.













 Plenty of overinking on the stamp, and onto the lid of the Platform.

No problem, it wipes straight off with a baby wipe, as does the bottom platform.







Close the lid, press down.......




.....and a nice clear image, with no evidence of all that extra ink. This too was the first stamping, I'm very impressed that I get a good image in one impression, so far.






So lets try out some smaller word stamps. This word circle is another from Lavinia Stamps. This time I've placed my cardstock in the top corner, and weighted it down.






First impression, and this one is a little pale. But still no issue with the over inked edges of the stamp.

So, just re-ink, then re-stamp.





Much darker the second time around. Still no smudges.






Okay, this time I've flipped the lid to the 'Rubber' side.
 Stamped twice to get the solid bars nice and black.







Another Rubber stamp, and this is after the first impression, still on the Hammer effect card, this time using Versafine Onyx Black.

I definitely would not be happy with that impression.
 So, re-ink and re-stamp.








Much better, lovely clear image.



I thought I'd do the same image using just the stamp on an acrylic block, then side by side compare.
The image on the left is with a stamping block, the right one I did on the Platform. Not a huge amount of difference, but there is definitely clearer detail in the Platform one, especially on the small butterfly.




A clear wording stamp, again Versafine Onyx Black. First stamping, and the image could be a little darker.










Re-inked, and a much darker image.



So, my thoughts.
 Very well packaged, I'm impressed to be honest.
The Platform itself is sturdy, as are the component parts.
 One side (right), and the bottom are open, so you can use any size paper/cardstock.
 The metal bar for the hinge is very solid & strong, as are the metal hinge linings. Good attention to detail, looks like this will last and last.
 The measurements along the top and side are in metric AND Imperial- which I love as I am totally still working in Imperial!
And they will not wear off either. It's not tape, or painted on, but moulded in black, with the numbers and increments the grey of the platform. Hard to show, but you can actually feel all the increments. Again, made to last.






 All surfaces wipe clean of ink with a baby wipe, even the grid lines moulded into the 'CLEAR' stamp side.

Am I happy with my purchase? Absolutely.
I see an end to accidental smudges from the edge of an over inked stamp, or those from inky fingers, which went unnoticed! As your fingers never go near the cardstock once you've inked the stamp, if this is something you get a problem with, then this Platform will be worth it's weight in gold for all the saved projects!
 I've never been one for making One Layer cards, as the risk of a smudge or blotch was always there, but no more. 😀
Quality- Full Marks, from initial view.
Price- Great value for money.
User Friendly- 100% yes.
 Would I recommend- Totally.


25 comments:

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Great post Shaz, thank you. I've got one on order and It should be with me by the end of May, I can't wait. I'm even more excited to get it now after reading this post, it looks fantastic. Just think how much it will save us on card that usually ends up in the bin! :) Crafty hugs, Sandra x

Helen said...

great review Shaz, and I get the idea of this product which I didn't really before.. Not sure I'll get one, (any make) but for serial card makers (I do as few as possible!) it's going to be a real boon.

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Great review, I am glad you love it. I really hope it comes out in the US soon!

MarySmiles ;-) said...

Thanks for sharing! Yes, we (here in the USA) are waiting with anticipation for this tool to be released.

Sweet Petunia has messed things up for us.

SumBunneh said...

Mine arrived at work yesterday so I won't have it until Tuesday so I was super excited to see your review... omg I am so happy I bought it now... Yay!!

Great review... Thank you xx

Tallulah said...

Wow, Shaz! Thanks so much for comprehensive blog. You covered it all for me.
You are the premier poster!
As soon as I get my platform envy under control, I can go back to dreaming of a US release.
Loyce

cuilliesocks said...

Mine arrived this morning too but not yet had a chance to try it out. Great post Shaz, very helpful review, Kate x

Deb said...

Great post! Thanks for the review, I hope they allow them in the states soon!!

misteejay said...

Super post Shaz. I have been considering a stamping platform but they vary so much from make to make and so do the prices. I was considering the WRMK but I think the Tonic one will be the one that I go for.
Toni xx

Cara said...

Great review, very detailed and informative. Cara x

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

Super cool!

Elizabeth Zaffarano said...

Im sooo jealous you got yours! But it looks like it works great, and I appreciate the time you took to photograph and blog about it. I'm in the US and I never pre-ordered or anything, so when this this is finally released here--it's gonna be a while before I can get my hands on it!!

Shoshi said...

Mine arrived yesterday, Shaz! This is a great review. I knew I'd made the right decision to get this and I'm so glad I dithered over getting the Misti because this is clearly much better. I agree with you - I always manage to get ink in the wrong place with ordinary stamping and through touching the card with inky fingers and I've always said I'm no great shakes as a stamper, so I think this is going to be a great tool for me. It feels really substantial and well made, and not flimsy at all. One of the best aspects of it is that you can re-ink the stamp and do it again if you get a bad impression the first time - something that often happens with me. This is going to save a lot of materials and anxiety too, and hopefully will actually make me enjoy stamping more!

Saw my surgeon on Thurs - news on my blog. I'm not too happy and hope we get some definite answers soon as I definitely want a proper repair done on the hernia and prevention of any further potential obstructions! Any news on when you're having your MRI scan yet?

Hugs to you both,
Shoshi xx

rachel said...

So good to read this Shaz - it looks fabulous - I'm thinking of getting one when all the fuss dies down especially for my ladies who can't manage to stamp very well - I think it looks great! Will look out for you at Port Sunny!!! Hugs rachel x

Joan B said...

great review!!!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Hi Shaz, just praying for you and wondered re doc visit and any results... just good news I hope, and pray hence silence on that score, maybe I've wrong day..
Nice stamping platform, I'm happy with my mini misti, think they're great, I wanted hers as she had the brains to think it up and wanted to support her, but this def has some pluses.
Thanks for sharing.
And sending hugs and prayers. Shaz.x

Sue said...

What a great review, definitely on my wish list now xx

Anonymous said...

Great review. Adding it to my Amazon Wish List now! Ali x

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

I am still waiting, now til June. Thanks for the reason I'd been wondering as used a new place to order. I realize it is not their fault for the delay. I enjoyed this post. Just got 3 new Memento Luxe colors and not happy with the OVER inking. But others were Not inking so I either have old or not doing it right. Didn't realize so much difference in brands of INK.
Now the wait, I am not a patient person.

Stacy Sheldon said...

This looks so handy. :) I have been debating if I "need" one because, I do have an original sized misti so, it was fun to see what you did with this, It looks larger than a misti as far as the size of paper it holds?

Monica said...

I think I need one of those stamping platforms. Your stamping has always looked perfect to me but I had to agree with you on the butterfly details.

Happy to hear you had a good medical visit.

happy healthy thoughts for you
Monica #38

craftyani said...

Love the hair. I am fascinated with the Tim Holtz/Tonic Stamping Platform have read it over twice would love to see it in the flesh though! Have a good week hope your results are what you want. Anickoana

Annie Claxton said...

Thanks Shaz, that's really helpful - where did you buy yours from please?

Designcreature said...

Good day..do yuu have any idea what concessions Tonic had to make to get Tim's stamping platform to market?

I don't think I am the only one wondering. Here in the states may make a difference if Toni had to change much. The company says "minor" adjustments but there is not too much aeas that could be changed unless they are making square magnets instead of round? lol

Jaye said...

Hi Shaz, only just found this blog looking for reviews of stamping platform. Thanks for a very thorough and comprehensive review- I've now ordered a Tim Holtz and can't wait (I'm a rubbish stamper). Now to read your 'cheap dies' review.Thanks
again.

An End of an era

An end of an era

I write this with a broken heart, that only time can heal My beautiful, wonderful wifelet Shaz (Silverwolf) passed away peacefully in the ea...