New to nail stamping? Here’s everything you need to start — from plates to polish — plus expert tips for perfect stamped designs every time.
Want salon-quality nail art without the hours of freehand painting? Nail stamping is one of the fastest and most creative ways to level up your nail game. Whether you're a pro or just starting your nail journey, stamping can instantly add intricate patterns to your sets — all you need is the right gear and a little practice.
So what do you need to get started?
The Essentials for Nail Stamping
1. Stamping Plates
These are the stars of the show — metal plates with engraved designs. When you apply stamping polish and scrape off the excess, the design stays in the grooves and transfers to your stamper. We recommend starting with versatile themes like florals, geometric patterns, or seasonal designs.
👉 Explore our stamping plates HERE
2. Stamping Polish
Not just any nail polish will work! Stamping polish is thicker and more pigmented so it picks up the design clearly and doesn’t dry too fast. Start with black or white — they show up best on most backgrounds.
3. Stamper
This is what you use to pick up the design from the plate and press it onto the nail. Clear stampers are great for seeing exactly where you’re placing your design. Pro tip: gently file the surface before first use for better pickup.
4. Scraper
A small plastic card (kind of like a credit card) used to remove the excess polish from the plate. Many stampers come with one — or you can use an old loyalty card!
5. Nail Polish Remover & Cotton Pads
Stamping gets messy fast — keep your plates and tools clean between each stamp for crisp results. Acetone-based remover works best.
6. Sticky Roller or Tape
Instead of using remover on your stamper (which can damage it), clean it between uses with a lint roller or sticky tape.
Optional But Helpful
-
Latex Barrier or Tape – Protects the skin around your nail during stamping.
-
Top Coat – Use a smudge-free or water-based top coat to lock in your design.
- Mini Clean-up Brush – Great for tidying up around the cuticle.
Tips for Beginners
-
Work fast – Stamping polish dries quickly, so you need to move efficiently from plate to nail.
Pro tip: Try Moyra Smart Polish for Stamping – it’s specifically designed for stamping and dries a bit slower, giving you more time to transfer the design perfectly. -
Practice first – Test your technique on a swatch stick or silicone mat before stamping on nails.
-
Use a light touch – Press the stamper gently and roll it over the plate and nail — too much pressure can distort the design.
-
Clean between every stamp – Wipe your plate with remover and your stamper with a lint roller between uses for crisp results.
-
Don’t get discouraged – Your first few tries might be messy, but stamping becomes super easy with just a bit of practice.
Ready to Start Stamping?
We’ve got everything you need to build your own custom nail stamping kit — or grab one of our curated sets to make it even easier.