Stamp collecting can be an exciting and rewarding pastime. And whether you’re new to the hobby or you’ve been a collector for years, keeping your stamps safe and protected from damage is a number one priority. A stamp’s condition can greatly affect its value. There’s also pride of ownership: you want to be able to show your stamps off in an attractive way that keeps dirt and other destructive factors at bay.
[Read our blog: 10 Most Valuable Stamps in the World]
This is where mounting comes in. Stamp mounts are special plastic strips with adhesive on one side that are designed to safely and securely display stamps in an album. Mounting protects your stamps against temperature and moisture changes, as well as colour changes and unwanted sticking.
Two popular ways to mount stamps are with stamp hinges and stamp mounts. Hinges are ideal for used stamps or those that have been mounted before. Stamps are adhered to the shorter side of a piece of folded glassine paper with adhesive on the outside of the mount. The longer side of the hinge is adhered to the album page with the stamp front facing upwards
[Read our blog: Three Reasons To Collect Stamps]
However, for mint condition stamps and unused stamps with their original gum, stamp mounts are perfect. They do require more effort and investment than hinges, but the payoff is worth it: Your stamp gets complete, chemical-free protection from damage while being held securely in an album. Also, stamp mounts can be used multiple times (up to four) before they’ll need to be replaced. This is particularly helpful if you intend to move your stamp to another album at some point.
Let’s get started. Here’s the equipment required to mount your stamp like a pro.
- Stamp tongs: Keeps dirt and skin oils from coming into contact with the stamp
- Magnifiers: Ensures an eagle-eye view of your work
- Mount cutter: Allows for precision cutting and minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting the stamp itself
- Mount strips: Keeps stamps protected and attractively displayed. Available in in multiple sizes, and as centre-split or top-loading mounts
- Stamp albums, books & binders: Displays your stamps and collections, safely and beautifully
First you’ll want to choose your mount strips. Decide whether you want a centre-split or top-loading mount. Experts suggest using top-loading mounts for the best possible protection. Then choose your colour: clear or black, depending on your preference.
Next, measure your stamp’s width and height in millimetres (you can use a measuring gauge or ruler). Not sure about the size? Round up to the nearest millimetre. The mount size depends on the stamp type. For water-activated stamps, add 5mm onto the height and width. Self-adhesive stamps with backing paper are thicker, and require an extra 6-7mm. To illustrate, a 26mm x 41mm self-adhesive stamp requires a mount size of 32 x 47mm.
Now it’s time to mount your stamp!
- Ensure your area is dry, clean and free from dust and dirt. This includes washing your hands; oils from your skin can damage the stamp. Moisture is also an enemy to stamp collecting.
- Use stamp tongs to insert the stamp into the mount strip. Tip: Don’t use standard tweezers: they can tear the stamp. Specialized stamp tongs have protective edges.
- Carefully cut your mount to size using a mount cutter. Use the guides to measure the mount size as accurately as possible (a magnifying glass might be helpful), leaving a bit of space around the stamp. Tip: Make sure the stamp is on the flat side of the cutter, against the guide and under the guard.
- Adhere the stamp mount to the page. If the mount is self-adhesive, peel off the backing and stick the mount to the paper. If it’s water-activated, moisten the gum and then adhere to the paper. A word of caution: use a very small amount of water. Too much water can buckle the album paper, the mount and potentially the stamp itself. Always allow water-activated mounts to dry completely.
- Admire your handiwork. Your stamp is now perfectly mounted onto the page. It’s protected from dirt and the elements, and it looks fantastic.
The front-facing owl is depicted with the same large round eyes as Athena. Its three tail feathers and wing are especially detailed. To the left is a two-leafed olive sprig and in the bottom right is the inscription ΑΘΕ, an abbreviation of ATHENAION, meaning “of the Athenians.”
[Read our blog: Stamps: All The Accessories You Need To Protect Them And Keep Them Safe]
Stamp collecting requires attentive handling and storage. Taking the time to properly remove, dry, and present your precious collectables will not only preserve your stamps’ value, they’ll look fantastic in your albums.
Want to know more about protecting and displaying your stamp collection?
If you’re interested in protecting and growing your stamp collection, we can help. Century Stamp & Coin has a huge repository of stamps, plus a knowledgeable and experienced team to support you with safely storing and protecting your precious collection. Get in touch today to find out more.
Stamp collecting can be an exciting and rewarding pastime. And whether you’re new to the hobby or you’ve been a collector for years, keeping your stamps safe and protected from damage is a number one priority. A stamp’s condition can greatly affect its value. There’s also pride of ownership: you want to be able to show your stamps off in an attractive way that keeps dirt and other destructive factors at bay.
[Read our blog: 10 Most Valuable Stamps in the World]
This is where mounting comes in. Stamp mounts are special plastic strips with adhesive on one side that are designed to safely and securely display stamps in an album. Mounting protects your stamps against temperature and moisture changes, as well as colour changes and unwanted sticking.
Two popular ways to mount stamps are with stamp hinges and stamp mounts. Hinges are ideal for used stamps or those that have been mounted before. Stamps are adhered to the shorter side of a piece of folded glassine paper with adhesive on the outside of the mount. The longer side of the hinge is adhered to the album page with the stamp front facing upwards
[Read our blog: Three Reasons To Collect Stamps]
However, for mint condition stamps and unused stamps with their original gum, stamp mounts are perfect. They do require more effort and investment than hinges, but the payoff is worth it: Your stamp gets complete, chemical-free protection from damage while being held securely in an album. Also, stamp mounts can be used multiple times (up to four) before they’ll need to be replaced. This is particularly helpful if you intend to move your stamp to another album at some point.
Let’s get started. Here’s the equipment required to mount your stamp like a pro.
- Stamp tongs: Keeps dirt and skin oils from coming into contact with the stamp
- Magnifiers: Ensures an eagle-eye view of your work
- Mount cutter: Allows for precision cutting and minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting the stamp itself
- Mount strips: Keeps stamps protected and attractively displayed. Available in in multiple sizes, and as centre-split or top-loading mounts
- Stamp albums, books & binders: Displays your stamps and collections, safely and beautifully
First you’ll want to choose your mount strips. Decide whether you want a centre-split or top-loading mount. Experts suggest using top-loading mounts for the best possible protection. Then choose your colour: clear or black, depending on your preference.
Next, measure your stamp’s width and height in millimetres (you can use a measuring gauge or ruler). Not sure about the size? Round up to the nearest millimetre. The mount size depends on the stamp type. For water-activated stamps, add 5mm onto the height and width. Self-adhesive stamps with backing paper are thicker, and require an extra 6-7mm. To illustrate, a 26mm x 41mm self-adhesive stamp requires a mount size of 32 x 47mm.
Now it’s time to mount your stamp!
- Ensure your area is dry, clean and free from dust and dirt. This includes washing your hands; oils from your skin can damage the stamp. Moisture is also an enemy to stamp collecting.
- Use stamp tongs to insert the stamp into the mount strip. Tip: Don’t use standard tweezers: they can tear the stamp. Specialized stamp tongs have protective edges.
- Carefully cut your mount to size using a mount cutter. Use the guides to measure the mount size as accurately as possible (a magnifying glass might be helpful), leaving a bit of space around the stamp. Tip: Make sure the stamp is on the flat side of the cutter, against the guide and under the guard.
- Adhere the stamp mount to the page. If the mount is self-adhesive, peel off the backing and stick the mount to the paper. If it’s water-activated, moisten the gum and then adhere to the paper. A word of caution: use a very small amount of water. Too much water can buckle the album paper, the mount and potentially the stamp itself. Always allow water-activated mounts to dry completely.
- Admire your handiwork. Your stamp is now perfectly mounted onto the page. It’s protected from dirt and the elements, and it looks fantastic.
The front-facing owl is depicted with the same large round eyes as Athena. Its three tail feathers and wing are especially detailed. To the left is a two-leafed olive sprig and in the bottom right is the inscription ΑΘΕ, an abbreviation of ATHENAION, meaning “of the Athenians.”
[Read our blog: Stamps: All The Accessories You Need To Protect Them And Keep Them Safe]
Stamp collecting requires attentive handling and storage. Taking the time to properly remove, dry, and present your precious collectables will not only preserve your stamps’ value, they’ll look fantastic in your albums.
Want to know more about protecting and displaying your stamp collection?
If you’re interested in protecting and growing your stamp collection, we can help. Century Stamp & Coin has a huge repository of stamps, plus a knowledgeable and experienced team to support you with safely storing and protecting your precious collection. Get in touch today to find out more.
Stamp collecting can be an exciting and rewarding pastime. And whether you’re new to the hobby or you’ve been a collector for years, keeping your stamps safe and protected from damage is a number one priority. A stamp’s condition can greatly affect its value. There’s also pride of ownership: you want to be able to show your stamps off in an attractive way that keeps dirt and other destructive factors at bay.
[Read our blog: 10 Most Valuable Stamps in the World]
This is where mounting comes in. Stamp mounts are special plastic strips with adhesive on one side that are designed to safely and securely display stamps in an album. Mounting protects your stamps against temperature and moisture changes, as well as colour changes and unwanted sticking.
Two popular ways to mount stamps are with stamp hinges and stamp mounts. Hinges are ideal for used stamps or those that have been mounted before. Stamps are adhered to the shorter side of a piece of folded glassine paper with adhesive on the outside of the mount. The longer side of the hinge is adhered to the album page with the stamp front facing upwards
[Read our blog: Three Reasons To Collect Stamps]
However, for mint condition stamps and unused stamps with their original gum, stamp mounts are perfect. They do require more effort and investment than hinges, but the payoff is worth it: Your stamp gets complete, chemical-free protection from damage while being held securely in an album. Also, stamp mounts can be used multiple times (up to four) before they’ll need to be replaced. This is particularly helpful if you intend to move your stamp to another album at some point.
Let’s get started. Here’s the equipment required to mount your stamp like a pro.
- Stamp tongs: Keeps dirt and skin oils from coming into contact with the stamp
- Magnifiers: Ensures an eagle-eye view of your work
- Mount cutter: Allows for precision cutting and minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting the stamp itself
- Mount strips: Keeps stamps protected and attractively displayed. Available in in multiple sizes, and as centre-split or top-loading mounts
- Stamp albums, books & binders: Displays your stamps and collections, safely and beautifully
First you’ll want to choose your mount strips. Decide whether you want a centre-split or top-loading mount. Experts suggest using top-loading mounts for the best possible protection. Then choose your colour: clear or black, depending on your preference.
Next, measure your stamp’s width and height in millimetres (you can use a measuring gauge or ruler). Not sure about the size? Round up to the nearest millimetre. The mount size depends on the stamp type. For water-activated stamps, add 5mm onto the height and width. Self-adhesive stamps with backing paper are thicker, and require an extra 6-7mm. To illustrate, a 26mm x 41mm self-adhesive stamp requires a mount size of 32 x 47mm.
Now it’s time to mount your stamp!
- Ensure your area is dry, clean and free from dust and dirt. This includes washing your hands; oils from your skin can damage the stamp. Moisture is also an enemy to stamp collecting.
- Use stamp tongs to insert the stamp into the mount strip. Tip: Don’t use standard tweezers: they can tear the stamp. Specialized stamp tongs have protective edges.
- Carefully cut your mount to size using a mount cutter. Use the guides to measure the mount size as accurately as possible (a magnifying glass might be helpful), leaving a bit of space around the stamp. Tip: Make sure the stamp is on the flat side of the cutter, against the guide and under the guard.
- Adhere the stamp mount to the page. If the mount is self-adhesive, peel off the backing and stick the mount to the paper. If it’s water-activated, moisten the gum and then adhere to the paper. A word of caution: use a very small amount of water. Too much water can buckle the album paper, the mount and potentially the stamp itself. Always allow water-activated mounts to dry completely.
- Admire your handiwork. Your stamp is now perfectly mounted onto the page. It’s protected from dirt and the elements, and it looks fantastic.
The front-facing owl is depicted with the same large round eyes as Athena. Its three tail feathers and wing are especially detailed. To the left is a two-leafed olive sprig and in the bottom right is the inscription ΑΘΕ, an abbreviation of ATHENAION, meaning “of the Athenians.”
[Read our blog: Stamps: All The Accessories You Need To Protect Them And Keep Them Safe]
Stamp collecting requires attentive handling and storage. Taking the time to properly remove, dry, and present your precious collectables will not only preserve your stamps’ value, they’ll look fantastic in your albums.
Want to know more about protecting and displaying your stamp collection?
If you’re interested in protecting and growing your stamp collection, we can help. Century Stamp & Coin has a huge repository of stamps, plus a knowledgeable and experienced team to support you with safely storing and protecting your precious collection. Get in touch today to find out more.
Stamp collecting can be an exciting and rewarding pastime. And whether you’re new to the hobby or you’ve been a collector for years, keeping your stamps safe and protected from damage is a number one priority. A stamp’s condition can greatly affect its value. There’s also pride of ownership: you want to be able to show your stamps off in an attractive way that keeps dirt and other destructive factors at bay.
[Read our blog: 10 Most Valuable Stamps in the World]
This is where mounting comes in. Stamp mounts are special plastic strips with adhesive on one side that are designed to safely and securely display stamps in an album. Mounting protects your stamps against temperature and moisture changes, as well as colour changes and unwanted sticking.
Two popular ways to mount stamps are with stamp hinges and stamp mounts. Hinges are ideal for used stamps or those that have been mounted before. Stamps are adhered to the shorter side of a piece of folded glassine paper with adhesive on the outside of the mount. The longer side of the hinge is adhered to the album page with the stamp front facing upwards
[Read our blog: Three Reasons To Collect Stamps]
However, for mint condition stamps and unused stamps with their original gum, stamp mounts are perfect. They do require more effort and investment than hinges, but the payoff is worth it: Your stamp gets complete, chemical-free protection from damage while being held securely in an album. Also, stamp mounts can be used multiple times (up to four) before they’ll need to be replaced. This is particularly helpful if you intend to move your stamp to another album at some point.
Let’s get started. Here’s the equipment required to mount your stamp like a pro.
- Stamp tongs: Keeps dirt and skin oils from coming into contact with the stamp
- Magnifiers: Ensures an eagle-eye view of your work
- Mount cutter: Allows for precision cutting and minimizes the risk of accidentally cutting the stamp itself
- Mount strips: Keeps stamps protected and attractively displayed. Available in in multiple sizes, and as centre-split or top-loading mounts
- Stamp albums, books & binders: Displays your stamps and collections, safely and beautifully
First you’ll want to choose your mount strips. Decide whether you want a centre-split or top-loading mount. Experts suggest using top-loading mounts for the best possible protection. Then choose your colour: clear or black, depending on your preference.
Next, measure your stamp’s width and height in millimetres (you can use a measuring gauge or ruler). Not sure about the size? Round up to the nearest millimetre. The mount size depends on the stamp type. For water-activated stamps, add 5mm onto the height and width. Self-adhesive stamps with backing paper are thicker, and require an extra 6-7mm. To illustrate, a 26mm x 41mm self-adhesive stamp requires a mount size of 32 x 47mm.
Now it’s time to mount your stamp!
- Ensure your area is dry, clean and free from dust and dirt. This includes washing your hands; oils from your skin can damage the stamp. Moisture is also an enemy to stamp collecting.
- Use stamp tongs to insert the stamp into the mount strip. Tip: Don’t use standard tweezers: they can tear the stamp. Specialized stamp tongs have protective edges.
- Carefully cut your mount to size using a mount cutter. Use the guides to measure the mount size as accurately as possible (a magnifying glass might be helpful), leaving a bit of space around the stamp. Tip: Make sure the stamp is on the flat side of the cutter, against the guide and under the guard.
- Adhere the stamp mount to the page. If the mount is self-adhesive, peel off the backing and stick the mount to the paper. If it’s water-activated, moisten the gum and then adhere to the paper. A word of caution: use a very small amount of water. Too much water can buckle the album paper, the mount and potentially the stamp itself. Always allow water-activated mounts to dry completely.
- Admire your handiwork. Your stamp is now perfectly mounted onto the page. It’s protected from dirt and the elements, and it looks fantastic.
The front-facing owl is depicted with the same large round eyes as Athena. Its three tail feathers and wing are especially detailed. To the left is a two-leafed olive sprig and in the bottom right is the inscription ΑΘΕ, an abbreviation of ATHENAION, meaning “of the Athenians.”
[Read our blog: Stamps: All The Accessories You Need To Protect Them And Keep Them Safe]
Stamp collecting requires attentive handling and storage. Taking the time to properly remove, dry, and present your precious collectables will not only preserve your stamps’ value, they’ll look fantastic in your albums.
Want to know more about protecting and displaying your stamp collection?
If you’re interested in protecting and growing your stamp collection, we can help. Century Stamp & Coin has a huge repository of stamps, plus a knowledgeable and experienced team to support you with safely storing and protecting your precious collection. Get in touch today to find out more.
