Rubber Stamp FAQ


What is the difference between Self-Inking and Pre-Inked Stamps?

A Self-Inking Stamp is simply a rubber stamp placed in a spring-loaded stamp body which rotates to an internal ink pad after each use. Self-Inking stamps are fast, clean, easy-to-use stamps ideal for rapid, repetitive stamping.

Pre-Inked stamps deliver thousands of clean, crisp imprints without the use of a stamp pad. The ink is actually held in tiny, microporous cavities in the letters themselves. Just press and the ink is released for a perfect impression, time after time. Pre-Inked stamps won’t dry out or evaporate and the mount adjusts for lighter and darker impressions.

How do I re-ink my Pre-Inked Stamp?

  1. Use only Pre-Inked Stamp Re-Inking Fluid.
  2. Turn stamp upside down.
  3. Squeeze re-inking fluid sparingly (about 10-15 drops per square inch) over the raised characters only.
  4. Let the stamp sit upside down overnight (minimum of 8 hours) to allow ink to absorb into stamp.
  5. The next morning, blot excess ink by making a few impressions on a sheet of scrap paper.
  6. For best results, re-ink your Pre-Inked Stamp when the impression begins to fade but before it completely dries out.

How do I re-ink my Self-Inking Stamp?

  1. On the left and right sides of the stamp you will find red buttons. Using your thumb and middle finger, apply a slight pressure on the red buttons.
  2. With your other hand place your thumb and middle finger on the bottom and top of the stamp.
  3. Slowly press the top and bottom of the stamp until the stamp clicks partway open.  If you have difficulty pressing the stamp you are applying too much pressure on the red buttons.
  4. Looking at the front of the stamp, locate the pad. It is a thin black rectangle.
  5. Using a pen or pencil, push the pad out the backside of the stamp. Be sure to use only enough pressure to push the pad far enough to allow you to grasp it with your fingers. Too much pressure will cause the pad to come completely out.
  6. Grasp the pad on each end, being careful not to touch the inked surface. Pull the pad out of the stamp mount and place on the counter, inked side up.
  7. Using only Ideal Stamp Pad Ink, place a few drops of ink on the pad where you see the stamp copy indented. Please note that it is better to use less ink and re-ink often than to over-ink the pad. Over-inking may cause a messy ink overflow.
  8. After placing a few drops of ink on the pad, place it back into the stamp mount, making sure the inked surface is facing down. The pad will click when pushed back into the correct position.
  9. Once the pad is in position, place the stamp on a piece of scrap paper and press it down to unlock the red buttons.
  10. Please note it may take a few sample impressions to get the ink evenly distributed on the pad.