SELF INKING STAMPS - THE BEST?

The stamping market in India provides various stamps for the buyers to choose from. The main categories to which they can be divided are rubber stamps, pre inked stamps and self inking stamps.  All of these stamps come in different shapes and sizes along with customizable designs, images and fonts.  It is good to know about all the options before buying a stamp.

Rubber stamps are the traditional ones where a separate pad of ink is required for stamping. Pre inked and self inking may sound similar but there is a slight difference in it. Pre inked stamps are those where both the stamp and the ink are together. In case of using a wrong ink, the pre inked stamp may get damaged. On the other hand, stamps are come with preloaded ink. The rubber hits the stamp pad when it is stamped. If the ink dries, one can replace the pad or re ink the pad.

Stamps on Self inking -Features

These stamps can be customized according to the choice of the customer. Little more economical to use, such stamps are always a good option. 

However, the variety of style and designs may be limited than a pre inked stamp. Both the impressions are good but pre inked stamps provide a crisp and better quality image than that of a self inked stamp. The water based ink can be refilled. These inked stamps do not come with a lifetime guarantee.

Raw materials

The process of making this stamps an elongated one. These self inking rubber stamps are not directly produced from the raw materials.  The resources used to prepare includes wooden block where the rubber is mounted, adhesive foam at the back and of course latex rubber. These are manufactured only by rubber stamp manufacturers.

Design

Stamping is considered as an art. Therefore designs for the rubber stamps are created by different artists. Even freelance designers and artists are hired by the stamp manufacturers to create distinctive and unique designs and style to attract buyers. The copyright belongs to both the manufacturer and the artist. At times, the customer himself provides with the font style and the design to the manufacturer. 

In case of return address stamps, the data is also given by the buyer. Varieties of templates are available in the market, with a letter limit so that numerous stamps can be produced in a single go. Evaluation of rubber stamps made words of greetings, several designs for wrapping papers and other personal items have come into being.

Let’s learn How Self-inking stamps are made:

·       First a design has to be selected and photographed. Numerous copies of the image is then transferred to an aluminum plate. Next acid is poured that eats away the extra metal so the design stands out above.

·      Then the carved plate is placed on bakelite in a vulcanizer. Huge amount of heat and pressure is given in the vulcanizer; a negative mold is left behind by the carved plate in the resin sheet. A rubber sheet is then kept over the mold and is heated to create the final image. Then it is removed for cooling.

·    Sheets of photopolymer are used instead of rubber. Here they are applied in liquid to a transparent negative which is covered by a thin plastic and placed in a photo relief printing machine. This machine in turn exposes the resin and negative to UV rays which in turn produces the image. Afterwards it is dried.

·     The labourers required for manufacturing a rubber stamp should be highly skilled. Adhesive sheets are pressed into the newly formed rubber sheets and are cut into shapes by scissors.

·     The back is then attached to a strong object like the wood for support. The blocks are of normal sizes. Maple is common as it is very strong and would be firm under a lot of pressure. Even temperature changes would not distort it. The adhesive is placed on the top of the block and the stamp design is printed.

·      Once the process is finished, the stamps are divided and stored separately. They are packed and shipped according to orders.

Conclusion

These stamps have three major parts likely the spring, ink pad and the stamp. The stamp is stuck to the pad when in rest, always in the ink, never dry.

Rubber stamps are here to stay in the future. It can be used for both commercial and personal purposes. Such inking stamps are designed for art, are also a thriving hobby for youngsters.