Hello, Sweet Stampin' Friends!
Well, if time does anything, it causes things to change and Stampin' Up! has some changes ahead! Some are awesome and the others, maybe not quite so awesome. Bittersweet news first so we can end on a high note.
If you love your Stampin' Write Markers, be sure you have reinkers handy because the Stampin' Write Markers are being discontinued!! The Stampin' Write Markers will move into LAST CHANCE on AUGUST 20, 2025!! TOMORROW!! Since the introduction of the Stampin' Blends, the sale of the markers has decreased steadily. Don't know how to refill your markers? I did a video showing how, several years ago. I will link it HERE SU has introduced a Black Journaling .04 Pen (item #166647) which may take the place of the Basic Black marker if you use that one for writing in your cards.
The other reason the markers will be leaving is SU change #2. The primary, unique function of the markers is to color directly onto the red rubber stamps. Well, read on.
The red rubber Cling Stamps will be discontinued!! Yep. The Cling Stamps (red rubber) will be phased out. The current offerings in the Annual catalog will be available through April, when they will be moved into Last Chance. None will be transitioned to photopolymer, but most are nearing the end of their natural cycle anyway, The Cling Stamps in the brand-new Sept - Dec mini catalog will be available and move into Last Chance in Jan. Beginning in Nov, all stamps listed in the Online Exclusives section will be photopolymer. Why? There are key raw materials which are getting very difficult to find, and some necessary raw materials are no longer being manufactured at all!! The wide range of Photopolymer stamps will support our various artistic styles and techniques.
NOW FOR THE HAPPY NEWS!!!
Stamp and die packaging will be updated. The photopolymer stamps are thinner, so will be moved into sleeker, slimmer packaging which will take up less storage room! Our current photopolymer stamps will gradually be transitioned to the new packaging as the SU inventory is refreshed. The current dies will not be transitioned into new packaging.
The stamps and dies will be in the same size and style of packaging, making it even easier to store them, especially together!! The new and improved packaging is similar to the current die packaging - those very sturdy, durable clear plastic envelopes. Unfortunately, because they *are* slimmer, the names and images of the stamp sets will not be printed on the spine.
And now, drumroll please, the DIES WILL HAVE PRINTED ARTWORK ON THE PACKAGING FOR QUICK AND EASY IDENTIFICATION!!!! YaHOO!! How many times do we open die set after die set, looking for the one random shape we want for a random project? THIS is so exciting to me! Of course, stamp sets will continue to have imaging on the packaging. The new packaging will allow all images to be printed at 100% size!
Starting in November, we can purchase stamp and die organizers, in packs of ten, to easily transition our current cling stamps to the updated packaging, making it super easy to store our beloved products with the new ones. Item # will be 167772, and cost $16.00 per pack of 10. The current storage boxes (item #119105) which we can purchase will continue to be available for the foreseeable future. There are no current plans to discontinue those at this time.
We all missed our wood mounted stamps for a minute, and I am sure we will miss the Cling Stamps, but we all know how much easier it is to line up stamps when that stamp is clear! It will be okay. As for the markers, remember the Blends bleed through cardstock, so prepare for the layering ahead!
