How to Store Wood-Mounted Rubber Stamps

Rubber stamps are so fun! They’re a super versatile craft supply, but I tend to mostly use them for card making or scrapbooking. The only downside to rubber stamps is how difficult they can be to organize and store compactly. Follow these tips to find the perfect stamp storage solution for you and your space! (So hopefully you can actually use your rubber stamp stash!)

rubber stamps in clear storage container

I have this internal dilemma when it comes to wood-mounted rubber stamps. 1. They can be really expensive. 2. They’re often hard to organize and take up a lot of storage space.

But then there’s 3: rubber stamps are always so stinkin’ cute that I just want them all! I used to go to Stampin’ Up! parties and then spend hours pouring over Stampin’ Up! catalogs until I landed on the one stamp set I just had to have (and could afford with my babysitting money). But I haven’t done that in awhile, because…you, know…money.

And then I discovered the dollar bins at Michael’s and sometimes they have the cutest rubber stamps in there–usually seasonal ones. So I started collecting rubber stamps again.

But…I wasn’t really using my rubber stamps.

I had the same problem with washi tape, which led me to my washi tape storage post. I have a feeling this might be a recurring theme in this craft room reorganization project: the need for functional storage that allows me to actually see and use my stash. And maybe you’re suffering from the same problem.

So, before you go out and buy a new storage system for your stamps, you need to examine what it is, exactly, that you need–for you, your craft space, and your crafting style.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

how to organize wood-mounted rubber stamps

3 Things to Consider When Storing Rubber Stamps

1. Rubber stamp storage that is easy to find and see

I think this is the most important! Out of sight, out of mind, right? You need to organize your stamps in a way that allows you to quickly find what you need!

And if you’re like me, stamping is one of those optional papercrafting things–like, I could just as easily get the look I’m going for with a piece of patterned scrapbook paper. So if I actually want to use my rubber stamp stash, then clear, accessible storage is a high priority.

2. Rubber stamp storage that maximizes a small storage space

Okay, I know, I know. Once I finally show you my finished craft room, you might hate me. Because I’m spoiled and have a rather large craft room (Thanks Jared for sacrificing and taking the smaller spare bedroom as your man cave! Love you!). But even still, stamping is just one of many crafting hobbies for me, so I don’t want my stamps to occupy a whole shelf or precious wall or countertop space.

And for some of you, you might only have the top shelf of the linen closet. So this point becomes even more important for those small spaces!

3. Rubber stamp storage that fits in the IKEA Kallax

This one may or may not apply to you. But I know IKEA is the go-to storage store for a lot of us crafters. I recently subbed out my old storage cubes for an IKEA Kallax and realized that a lot of my plastic scrapbook storage boxes were too wide. And that was kind of a bummer.

If you don’t have an IKEA storage system, that’s totally okay, but just take my advice and measure your closet, shelf, bookcase–whatever you have–beforehand and keep those measurements in mind before purchasing any stamp storage containers.


Looking for more craft room organization ideas? Check out these related posts:

How to Organize Clear Stamps

How to Organize Scrapbook Paper

How to Organize Stickers

How to Organize Washi Tape

13 Random Items You Should Keep in Your Craft Room


The Best Storage Containers for Wood-Mounted Rubber Stamps

Ah! Are you ready? This is what you really came here for, after all.

I did a lot of research for the perfect stamp containers and ended up with these slim storage cases.

How to organize wood-mounted rubber stamps to save space and be able to easily access your collection! Things to consider when storing rubber stamps.

I purchased mine online at Michael’s (when they were 50% off) but they may or may not be in stock, depending on when you look. So Amazon is another great option (plus, get free and faster shipping with Amazon Prime!).

I absolutely love these storage containers for storing stamps and would highly recommend them. So before I present any other options, let me tell you exactly what I love…and then the one small thing that could potentially be a nuisance (but may or may not bother you).

Pros

  • I love how slim they are. The are the perfect height for wooden stamps to be stored in a single layer, with no wasted space!
  • They allow you to see all of your stamps at a glance (or at least a good chunk of them).
  • They fit in the IKEA Kallax (as opposed to the more widely-available taller cases you’ll find at craft stores, which are a couple inches too wide).
  • They are somewhat stackable and only take up one cube space on my shelf. (Obviously, this depends on how extensive your stamp collection is.)

Basically, all 3 of my criteria above are being met. Organization win!

How to organize rubber stamps so they're easy to find and see--so you actually use your collection!

The only con

  • Not all of the containers snap closed perfectly. It seems to depend on how heavy or full your container is, but sometimes one tab will pop up. It’s not a huge problem for me because I don’t plan on transporting my stamps more than on and off my shelf and to my craft table. If you travel with your crafting supplies or have small children around, then it’s something to be aware of.

I’m all about transparency and honesty when promoting products to you! Still, this is one of the best options I’ve found to compactly store rubber stamps and I definitely recommend it!

These containers work great for storing foam stamps, too!

Bonus: these containers also work great for storing foam stamps! To maximize the space, I simply stack them in two layers (since they’re not quite as tall as wood-mounted rubber stamps). Much easier to find the stamp I’m looking for–compared to when they used to be all mixed up in a drawer!

How to organize foam and rubber stamps. These are the best options for storing rubber stamps!

Other Great Options for Storing Rubber Stamps

I love these stamp storage bags. If I had seen them first, I might have purchased them instead of my slim storage cases. I love that you could store your rubber stamps on a shelf, in a drawer, or better yet: vertically! If you pay attention to the KonMari tidying method at all, vertical storage is everything when it comes to taking inventory of your belongings!

If you want to further organize your rubber stamps into smaller categories or types, this 4×6″ photo cases storage container would be a great option! Each photo case is only 1.23″ tall, so you can still store your rubber stamps in a single layer without any wasted space.

Depending on what you use your stamps for and how many you have, you may like to store them openly on narrow floating shelves, like these 24-inch floating shelves or even something like this set of U-shaped floating shelves. I personally don’t use my stamps regularly enough to warrant the need for open storage (and I wouldn’t be a huge fan when it came to dusting my craft room). But I think a rubber stamp display could be really cute in the right craft room!

If you already have some bins or drawers in your craft room and just need to find a way to organize your rubber stamps within them, you might find these clear plastic drawer organizers useful. They come in a variety of sizes and they’re stackable.

The Best Way to Organize Rubber Stamps

There are multiple ways to organize wood-mounted rubber stamps that will help you easily access your collection and still save space. I am so excited about the option that I chose!

Are you struggling to gain control of your growing rubber stamp collection? Check out this list of things to consider when storing rubber stamps and then find the best wood-mounted rubber stamp storage solution for your needs!

Hopefully this gives you some good ideas of what kinds of stamp storage products are available. Get measuring your space and get those stamps organized!


Let me know in the comments what stamp storage has worked for you!

Aubree Originals blog signature

Don’t forget to pin and save for later!

stamp storage your craft room needs: how to organize wood-mounted rubber stamps

Check out the other posts in my Craft Room Organization series!


How to Organize Clear Stamps

How to Organize Scrapbook Paper

How to Organize Stickers

How to Organize Washi Tape

18 Comments

    1. Hi, yes, I recommend always cleaning it off before storing it if you can. There are special stamp cleaners or you could even use something simple like baby wipes. If you don’t have time to clean the stamp, you could remove most of the ink by stamping multiple times on a scrap piece of paper until it doesn’t leave marks.

  1. I just came across this article… Thanks it was helpful. I am on the right track. Wondering if the storage containers from Michael’s are thinner than their scrapbook paper 12 x 12 boxes. Most if not all my mounted wood block stamps are in clear photo box storage containers Each small container is labelled plus the the larger outside container is also labelled. Some are generic brands others are Stamping Up. I have a huge stash of wood block stamps. Some from a family member, others auctions, second hand shops & secondary markets.. It is true, out of sight out of mind. More often than not, I reach for the ones that I can see and access easily.
    Thinking though, if I shifted a couple of things that I do not use often would give me a space on a shelf to store the photo boxes. Hmm!
    How do you store generic stamps & die sets that don’t fit in DVD type cases? How do you store different sizes of clear photopolymer stamps easily together? Thanks

    1. Hi Deborah, you could check out my clear stamp organization post, it might give you some more ideas (that’s the extent of my stamp organization). I like the shelf idea for keeping some stamps closer in view! You could also keep some sort of inventory binder with all your stamps to flip through when you want inspiration.

  2. I had inherited over 200 rubber stamps on wooden blocks (plus over to 200 stamps not on blocks) from my MIL. I have my stamps organized in 10 drawer rolling carts from Michael’s. I was recently given close to 300 more stamps on wooden blocks that she had. And more stamps not on blocks. With all these new boxes of stamps I don’t have anymore room in my carts or room for more carts. Any suggestions for that large amount of stamps (close to 500 rubber stamps on wooden blocks and 200 not on blocks)? I am overwhelmed! I do make cards and will use the stamps. I am not keeping all of the stamps but I am keeping most of them.

    1. Hi Carren. That’s a ton of stamps, that’s awesome! One reader commented that they use clean pizza boxes to store their stamps, something like that might be more cost-effective. You could also look at wall storage options, I’m thinking of skinny ledge shelving (even spice racks) to display stamps you use on a regular basis. If you’re really tight on space, try going vertically and using wall space somehow (taller shelving or storage that stacks well). When I’m tight on space, I also utilize under-the-bed storage containers for some craft supplies–it’s not ideal when it’s not in the same room but it’s a good temporary solution. I like the clear under-the-bed containers (I’ve found them at Costco before on a good sale) so I can easily see what’s inside, and you could still put smaller containers inside to divide them by set/category.

  3. Wish I could send you a trash bucket of wooden stamps that I have ready for a garage sale – but the price to mail would be unreal.

    1. That probably would be expensive! I bet you could find someone local to take them off your hands, you could always try Facebook Marketplace. 🙂

  4. The cases I purchased at Target are a little deeper and can hold two layers of rubber stamps. My problem was finding which bin the stamp was in when I needed it. So I have used a notebook and stamped all of my stamps in the notebook . I have 6 bins, numbered with an indelible marker on the outside 1-6. As I placed the rubber stamps in the bins I wrote the number of the bin next to the stamp in the notebook. So when I am looking for an appropriate stamp I simply page through my notebook to find the stamp and the bin number where it is stored. You can stamp quite a few stamps on each page so finding the stamp you want is pretty quick.

    1. I buy empty pizza boxes for storing my rubber stamps and they fit beautifully and I can fit 14 pizza boxes on a shelf of the IKEA bookcase. The boxes are sturdy and I printed labels to paste on the front for the different categories. I’ve had mine for many years.

  5. OH MY GOSH! I Google searched wooden stamp storage-I’ve recently started taking apart SOME of my most used Stampin Up stamps mixed with OLD stamps I’ve had since I was a kid. I found this article from you and I went to Amazon and got the storage containers-The ones I got are actually like 2 high vs your shorter ones. TOTAL GAME CHANGER!!! I had my stamps in these mesh wire bins-just not working so well. These are fantastic! Thanks for the tip. I’m happy I found your info.
    It’s now funtime organization time!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *