Stamping Terms Every Beginners Should Know – The Lingo Decoded

Before you spend a single dollar on supplies, let’s make sure you actually understand what you’re buying. Stamping has its own little language — and once you learn it, everything else clicks into place.

I remember the first time I walked into a craft store with a list of recommendations from a fellow stamper. The stamping terms on that list – Cardstock, Ink pad, DSP, Embossing powder, VersaMark -left me standing in the aisle completely bewildered.

Sound familiar? You are not alone.

The stamping world has a wonderfully rich vocabulary — part craft supply, part technique, part insider shorthand. And while it can feel overwhelming at first, the good news is that you only need to learn a handful of terms to get started. The rest will come naturally as you go.

Consider this your friendly, no-jargon guide to the jargon.

The Essential Glossary: 20 Terms to Know

I’ve organized these into four groups so they’re easier to absorb. Start with the first group — those are the words you’ll encounter on day one.

Stampin’ Up! Terms vs. Generic Terms

You’ll notice that some terms above have a little SU! label. These are terms that are unique to Stampin’ Up! (like Dimensionals), or terms where Stampin’ Up! has a specific product line you should know about (like Designer Series Paper and cardstock).

This matters because when you’re browsing tutorials online or watching YouTube videos, you’ll sometimes hear a generic term — “foam squares” instead of Dimensionals, or “patterned paper” instead of DSP. They’re describing the same kind of product. Now you’ll know exactly what they mean and exactly where to find the Stampin’ Up! version.

A Few Terms You’ll Hear in the Community

Beyond the supply names, card makers have their own little shorthand for how they talk about their craft. Here are a few you’ll encounter often:

Don’t Try to Learn It All at Once

Here’s the most important thing I want you to take away from this post: you don’t need to memorize this glossary before you start making cards. You just need to know enough to take your first step without feeling lost.

Bookmark this page. Come back when you encounter a term that has you stumped. Over time, this vocabulary will become second nature — and one day, you’ll be the one explaining what TIEF means to a new crafter who looks at you with wide, bewildered eyes.

That day comes faster than you’d think.