How to Use a Turn Table and Rock-a-Block for Easier Stamping
By Crafter's Companion | Craft Supplies | Papercraft & Art | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to set up a turn table and Rock-a-Block for precise stamp positioning. Step-by-step guide with checkpoints to avoid common mistakes.
Quick answer
To stamp accurately with a turn table and Rock-a-Block, first mount your stamp on the Rock-a-Block and place your paper on the turn table. Bring the stamp down to check alignment, then rotate the turn table to position the paper exactly under the stamp. Press the stamp onto the paper, lift straight up, and rotate the table again for the next impression. This setup removes guesswork and keeps your hands free for even pressure.
Why combine a turn table with a Rock-a-Block?
A Rock-a-Block gives you a clear, flat surface to mount clear stamps, so you can see exactly where the image will land. A turn table adds a rotating platform that lets you move the paper instead of the stamp. Together, they turn a fiddly alignment job into a repeatable process: you position the stamp once, then spin the paper to the next spot. This is especially useful for border stamps, repeated patterns, or layering sentiments. The main trade-off is that you need a little desk space for both tools, but the accuracy gain is worth it for anyone who struggles with crooked impressions.
What you need before you start
Gather your Rock-a-Block, turn table, chosen stamps, ink pad, and paper. If you are working with glue, glitter, or paste, a small silicone spatula can help you scoop and spread medium evenly without overloading your stamp. The Crafter's Companion spatula set is double-ended: one end is a spoon for scooping, the other is a flat spatula for spreading. Because the silicone is flexible, it bends into corners and small containers, so you can use every last bit of medium. Keep a scrap sheet of paper nearby for test impressions, and make sure your turn table sits on a flat, stable surface.
Step-by-step: turn table and Rock-a-Block stamping
Follow this order to avoid smudges and misalignment. Each step includes a checkpoint so you can catch problems before they ruin a project.
Turn table stamping steps: checkpoints and common mistakes
- Set up your turn table on a level surface: Place the turn table where you can rotate it freely without hitting your ink pad or tools. Check that the top spins smoothly and does not wobble. Common mistake: working on an uneven desk. A wobble will shift your paper mid-impression and cause double lines.
- Mount your stamp on the Rock-a-Block: Press the clear stamp onto the block, making sure it is flat and centered. Look through the block to confirm the image is not folded or trapped under itself. Checkpoint: if the stamp peels up at an edge, remount it. A lifted edge will stamp unevenly.
- Place your paper on the turn table and pre-position the stamp: Put your cardstock on the turn table. Bring the Rock-a-Block down slowly until the stamp almost touches the paper. Rotate the turn table to line up the stamp with the exact spot you want. Common mistake: pressing down before aligning. Lower the stamp first, then rotate the paper into place.
- Ink the stamp and make a test impression: Ink the stamp evenly on the pad, then press it onto a scrap piece of the same cardstock. Lift the Rock-a-Block straight up without rocking or sliding. Checkpoint: if the image is patchy, re-ink and press again. If it is blurry, you may be sliding the block instead of lifting it.
- Stamp your project and rotate for the next impression: Ink again, press the stamp onto your project paper, and lift straight up. To add another impression, rotate the turn table to bring a fresh area of paper under the stamp. Common mistake: rotating the table while the stamp is still touching the paper. Always lift the stamp fully before you turn.
- Clean your stamp and check alignment: Wipe the stamp clean or stamp it on a scrap sheet until no ink remains. Before you move on, look at your project from a slight angle to confirm the impressions are straight and evenly spaced. Next step: if you need to add a decorative corner, use a corner punch like the Deco Fan to finish the card edge.
Tools that support this technique
- Crafters Companion - Spatulas: Crafters Companion - Spatulas are double-ended, with a spoon on one end to scoop or scrape and a flat spatula on the other to spread smoothly and evenly. They are made from flexible silicone that bends easily into corners and small containers. Use the spoon end to lift glue, paint, glitter, or paste from a jar, then the flat end to spread it evenly on your stamp or paper. The flexible silicone helps you reach the bottom of small containers so you waste less medium.
- Crafters Companion Corner Punch – Deco Fan: Crafters Companion Corner Punch – Deco Fan adds decorative corners to papercraft projects with speed and precision. You slide in paper or card and press the lever to reveal detailed cut-out designs. Once your stamping is aligned, a corner punch gives your card or tag a finished edge. It is a quick way to add a decorative detail that complements a clean stamped impression.
- Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Jade Green 12" x 12" - 20 Pack: Arden Creative Studio Premium Cardstock Jade Green 12" x 12" – 20 Pack has a smooth finish on one side and a linen-textured finish on the other. The smooth side is for stamping and detailed die-cutting, while the textured side adds versatility. For turn table stamping, use the smooth side so your stamped image stays crisp and your Rock-a-Block can sit flush. The textured side is better for layering or backgrounds where you want visible weave.
