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Description
Please read the description!!

So I've noticed there is little to no binding talk on dA, and what better way to spread awareness about something than make a stamp, right? This is the first time I've actually attempted to make an animated stamp, so hopefully it looks okay.

Anyway.

First of all what is binding?
Binding is the act of compressing one's chest, to make it look smaller or even flat. It's mostly done by trans people (but also, I've heard, cosplayers and cis lesbians).

I'll say it right here: the safest way to bind is by wearing a binder.

Unsafe ways to bind include:
Ace bandages
Tape
Double-binding

Many people have been through hell and back for binding unsafely, so it's something to really avoid doing. Ace bandages and bandages in general are really dangerous; use them and you might as well say goodbye to any plans for surgery in the future.

Now, that's not to say that binding with a binder is completely safe; just that it's the safest method we know of. But to be as safe as possible, there are a few "rules":
The binder must be your size! The sites you can buy binders from usually have measurement methods, so make sure the one you get is your size, not smaller!
If you plan to wear it regularly, make sure it's made for that! Some binders are made to be worn only once in a while, and they could give you problems if worn regularly. (So essentially buy a binder made for trans people, not for cosplay or anything of the like.)
It depends on the person, but you can wear your binder for at most for 8-10 hours.
Take breaks!! Stretch, cough to avoid fluid in your lungs, take days off wearing your binder whenever you can!
DO NOT!!!! DOUBLE BIND!!!!!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH
Don't bind when you're sick!!
How to know if a binder is causing you harm:
You are being bruised
You are unable to take a full, deep breath
You are in excruciating pain at the end of the day: discomfort is normal but extreme pain is not.
You rib cage hurts when you breathe in or out (even when your binder is off)
You are unable to comfortably move around and sit up straight
(source )

Where to get a binder:
gc2b sells binders made specifically for trans/nb people. They have a measurement/sizing chart, international shipping, and apart from black and white, they also have different skin tones to choose from. You could also swim in them! (That's where I got mine from -a half black- and I couldn't be happier about it!)
Underworks is also known for their binders, but they're made for cis men with gynecomastia rather than trans people. That didn't stop trans people from bying from them, but it's best to know beforehand. (I don't have any experience with them, so I'm leaving that to the comments.)
You could also make your own, and below are some links on how to do that.

Helpful links:
Summer is around the corner, so here's a post of about binding during summer
How to escape a binder (a.k.a. take it off)
Chest Binding 101
Binding 101 for big chests
Making your own chest binder
Another makeshift binder post
2 more very easy DIY binders!!
Another post with helpful links (includes links to DYI binders)
This post doesn't have any tips but these binders look cool as all heck woah

There's also my tagged/binding on tumblr but it's severely lacking. Leaving it here bc why not.

I'm probably forgetting a few things. Tell me what they might be, share your experiences with binding, questions, anything else.
Rude/hateful comments will be hidden immediately tho.

Stamp template
Font used
tiny binder :0

Yes, you are allowed to use this stamp anywhere on da! No need to ask!

Description
Please read the description!!

So I've noticed there is little to no binding talk on dA, and what better way to spread awareness about something than make a stamp, right? This is the first time I've actually attempted to make an animated stamp, so hopefully it looks okay.

Anyway.

First of all what is binding?
Binding is the act of compressing one's chest, to make it look smaller or even flat. It's mostly done by trans people (but also, I've heard, cosplayers and cis lesbians).

I'll say it right here: the safest way to bind is by wearing a binder.

Unsafe ways to bind include:
Ace bandages
Tape
Double-binding

Many people have been through hell and back for binding unsafely, so it's something to really avoid doing. Ace bandages and bandages in general are really dangerous; use them and you might as well say goodbye to any plans for surgery in the future.

Now, that's not to say that binding with a binder is completely safe; just that it's the safest method we know of. But to be as safe as possible, there are a few "rules":
The binder must be your size! The sites you can buy binders from usually have measurement methods, so make sure the one you get is your size, not smaller!
If you plan to wear it regularly, make sure it's made for that! Some binders are made to be worn only once in a while, and they could give you problems if worn regularly. (So essentially buy a binder made for trans people, not for cosplay or anything of the like.)
It depends on the person, but you can wear your binder for at most for 8-10 hours.
Take breaks!! Stretch, cough to avoid fluid in your lungs, take days off wearing your binder whenever you can!
DO NOT!!!! DOUBLE BIND!!!!!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH
Don't bind when you're sick!!
How to know if a binder is causing you harm:
You are being bruised
You are unable to take a full, deep breath
You are in excruciating pain at the end of the day: discomfort is normal but extreme pain is not.
You rib cage hurts when you breathe in or out (even when your binder is off)
You are unable to comfortably move around and sit up straight
(source )

Where to get a binder:
gc2b sells binders made specifically for trans/nb people. They have a measurement/sizing chart, international shipping, and apart from black and white, they also have different skin tones to choose from. You could also swim in them! (That's where I got mine from -a half black- and I couldn't be happier about it!)
Underworks is also known for their binders, but they're made for cis men with gynecomastia rather than trans people. That didn't stop trans people from bying from them, but it's best to know beforehand. (I don't have any experience with them, so I'm leaving that to the comments.)
You could also make your own, and below are some links on how to do that.

Helpful links:
Summer is around the corner, so here's a post of about binding during summer
How to escape a binder (a.k.a. take it off)
Chest Binding 101
Binding 101 for big chests
Making your own chest binder
Another makeshift binder post
2 more very easy DIY binders!!
Another post with helpful links (includes links to DYI binders)
This post doesn't have any tips but these binders look cool as all heck woah

There's also my tagged/binding on tumblr but it's severely lacking. Leaving it here bc why not.

I'm probably forgetting a few things. Tell me what they might be, share your experiences with binding, questions, anything else.
Rude/hateful comments will be hidden immediately tho.

Stamp template
Font used
tiny binder :0

Yes, you are allowed to use this stamp anywhere on da! No need to ask!