Custom Rubber Stamps - Made on Short Notice & Correctly
by an Award Winning Manufacturer!
 

Phone
519-650-9015
1-877-717-1716

Fax
519-653-5902
1-866-653-5902

Email
info@tstrubberstamp.ca

T.S.T. Rubber Stamp
is an accredited

The makers of Corel Draw®
and other fine products.

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Tips & Tricks from T.S.T. Rubber Stamp.ca

Here you will find tips & tricks to get the most from your rubber stamps.

After reading this page, you will be the local expert when it comes to stamping and marking, and people will be amazed what you know and how helpful you can be.

Don't worry, we'll keep it a secret.  It will be between you and T.S.T. Rubber Stamp.  We won't tell anyone and you can take the full credit!

Have You Ever Run Across Any Of These Situations?

1. Why is the image or imprint light?
2. I just re-inked the ink pad and put it back in my self inking stamp.  Why is the image missing in spots?
3. Those catalogues and brochures that my company gives me to hand out are terrific.  The problem is that when I try to stamp my contact information on them, it never dries.  I have to spread them out over the floor for days and they still smear.  I don't want to use labels because of the high continual cost.
4. My self inking stamp is jammed!  It's stuck in the down position or will not go down.  It just doesn't want to move.
5. Can special typestyles, logos or even signatures be put on a stamp?
6. My hand gets sore during the day from writing the same thing over and over.  Are there limitations to how much information can go on a stamp?

Question - Why is the image or imprint light?
The image is light simply because there is not enough ink in the ink pad.  Solution is either one of two remedies.

First, make sure that there is enough ink in the pad you are using or in the pad inside your self inking stamp.  These pads usually use a water-based ink and will slowly dry out over a period of time.  Even quicker in the winter because of the dry heat.  You can either re-ink the pad (using a good quality water-based ink) or simply buy another ink pad.

Be sure not to "over ink" you rubber stamp ink pads.  We suggest that you add ink to the ink pad at the end of your day.  Remove it from your stamp (see FAQ's if you don't know how) or open the case and add only enough ink to make the pad look wet across the entire surface.  You don't have to soak it!  Allow the pad to sit overnight if you can.  This will allow the ink to spread evenly and penetrate all the way through the pad.  Return it to the stamp in the morning and away you go!  See our next trick for more.

Second, it may be operator error that is making a poor imprint.  By this we mean that if you do like what you see the tellers in the bank do (hammer the stamp on the pad like they are driving a 10" spike into rock) you are simply pushing the ink down in to the bottom of the inkpad.  Think of it this way.  Basically, all you want to do is transfer the ink from the pad to the paper.  If you don't have enough ink on the pad, naturally you will have a light image.  The proper way to do it is to gently dab the stamp a few times on a good ink pad and then "touch" the paper.

Pat It, Don't Pound It!

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Question - I just re-inked the ink pad and put it back in my self inking stamp.  Why is the image missing in spots?
All self inking stamp pads will eventually have an imprint or memory of the die plate that they sit against.  That is, the pad will get little hills and valleys embedded in its surface from the information on the die plate (the part that flips around and makes the imprint).  What has happened it that when you took the pad out to re-ink it, you turned it around and put it back in the opposite way.  Now the hills and valleys don't line up.  Not to worry though!  All you have to do is take the pad back out, turn it 180° and put it back in again.  Now everything will line up and your imprint will be clear.  Even if you don't turn it around, eventually the pad will take on the shape of the die plate in the new position.  This will take some time, so it is a lot easier to just take it back out and turn it around.

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Question - Those catalogues and brochures that my company gives me to hand out are terrific.  The problem is that when I try to stamp my contact information on them, it never dries.  I have to spread them out over the floor for days and they still smear.  I don't want to use labels because of the high continual cost.
Most rubber stamp suppliers and office supply stores don't know how to solve this problem.  This is a common dilemma, and you are not alone.  There are many companies out there who wish they could stamp their company address and phone numbers on brochures that their suppliers give to them, but until recently no one has had a solution.  the problem you are having is because the paper is glossy.  It has a coating on it and it's like trying to write on a piece of glass with a marker.  Most regular ink pads use a water-based ink.  The ink will never be absorbed in to the paper and will just sit on top, never drying and smearing.

To solution here is simple.  In order for you to get the image of the stamp to dry, you will need a special quick drying ink and have to start with a dry ink pad.  Never add quick drying ink to a regular pad.  The two do not mix and you will end up with an unusable ink pad.  We have specially formulated inks that are meant to be used on those shiny surfaces.  The big difference is that they use an alcohol type substance instead of water for a thinner and pigments instead of dies.  What this means is that, when you stamp your catalogue the alcohol part evaporates away and the pigment (colour) part dries up and sticks to the surface.  And they don't rub off!  Depending on the ink used the drying time can be virtually instantaneous or up to a minute.

Please note that quick drying inks need a little more T.L.C. than ordinary inks.  Their high alcohol content means that they dry out sooner.  You need to re-ink more often or in some cases us a liquid thinner.  We also recommend that the ink pad be kept in an airtight bag (like a ziplock) when not in use.  This will help prolong the life of your stamp and keep it ready for the next use.

If you have a situation like this, or something similar, contact us.  We can help!

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Question - My self inking stamp is jammed!  It's stuck in the down position or will not go down.  It just doesn't want to move.
Stuck in the UP position?  This is normally a simple problem to fix.  First, if the self inking stamp will not compress, it usually means that the ink pad has come out of place, blocking the normal travel path of the stamp when it is pushed down.  Check to make sure that the ink pad in not protruding out one side or the other.  Simply push it back in to position so that both sides of the pad are flush with the sides of the body of the stamp.  This should fix your problem.  If the pad is in place, then you may have a bigger problem and should return it to the place of purchase.  If you bought a quality product from a reputable company, they should warranty it.

Stuck in the down position?  Again this should be a simple fix.  Most self inking stamps have a button, buttons cutout tabs or some other mechanism that will lock the stamp in the compressed position.  This is used by the manufacturer when mounting the die on to the machine, or for when you are changing the ink pad.  Some self inking stamps will release when they are gently compressed a little bit further, while others might require you to release the button(s).  Try a few different things.  Try to press it further down.  Look for the buttons on the side or the front and see if they can be pressed in to make them release.  Shake your finger at it and tell it to let go!  Make sure no one is looking at you when you do this one!  Again, if nothing works, return it to the place of purchase.

A word of advice?  Be sure to put a piece of paper on the desk before you start this.  Some times if you just gently press down on the stamp, it will release and continue on to make an imprint.  You don't want to make an imprint on something important, so cover up!

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Question - Can special typestyles, logos or even signatures be put on a stamp?
Absolutely!  The easiest way to answer your question is to say "anything short of a photograph or shading can be put on a stamp".  To make sure that your image can be easily used email us your file or call us at the numbers shown at the left.  We can accept most graphic files (.cdr, .tiff, .ai, .jpeg, .bmp, .eps).

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Question - My hand gets sore during the day from writing the same thing over and over.  Are there limitations to how much information can go on a stamp?
We say NO!  Our motto is .... If you write it more than 5 times a day, you should be stamping it!  There is really no limitation to how much information can be put on a stamp.  Factors to be considered include the area you have available to stamp in, the font size, legibility, etc.  If you are not sure, contact us and we will be glad to help you with layout and size suggestions.

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You always get a faxed or pdf proof BEFORE we make your stamp. That way you know exactly what your stamp is going to look like and ensures accuracy. No surprises!

No extra charge for: Underlining Oversized Text Borders Bolding Text Italics Unique Layouts Arched Text

We'll set up your stamp the way you want it at no extra charge.  We'll even give you options! No restrictions on number of lines per stamp! *Some charges apply when using supplied artwork or logos.  We will advise before we proceed.

Flat Rate Shipping (up to 1kg or 2.2 lbs)
$10.00 Cdn within Canada
$15.00 Cdn within Continental USA

Large Volume Discounts Available - Call for details.
Order 24/7 - by Fax or Online

Remember:  if you write the same thing more
than 5 times a day, you should stamp it!

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