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Stamp Frequent Questions
COMMON FAQ:  Stamps | Types | Comparison
  Self-Inking Pre-Inked Hand Stamp
Brands Plastic Units:  Trodat, Shiny, 2000+ and Classix. Most are also available in a metal, heavy duty unit for industrial or commercial use. Xstamper and Royal Mark Shiny Duo (modern plastic) and traditional custom sized wood
How They Work The printing die rotates and picks up ink from a concealed ink pad to deposit it on paper The printing die contains micro pores saturated with ink to deposit it on paper The stamp die requires ink from a separate ink pad to print
Cost Best - Moderately priced Good - Cost is approx 20% more than self-inking stamps Better - About the same price as a self-inker when cost of the stamp pad is included
Value Best - A good blend of positive features and price Better - A very good stamp, but the premium price can make the self-inker a better value Good - Mediocre features with a price similar to a self-inker when cost of stamp pad is included
Useability Your best buy for ease of use, imprint quality, cleanliness and repeat stamping Best imprint quality when used correctly, also allows for infrequent re-inking Best for infrequent use when imprint quality isn't critical or when special inks are needed
Durability Plastic Units recommended for home, office and commercial use.
Metal units recommended for industrial and heavy duty commercial use
Recommended for home, office, commercial & light industrial use Recommended for industrial use
Cleanliness Best - Very clean due to unexposed pad and the optional use of replacement pads instead of re-inking existing pads Better - Relatively clean because it seldom needs re-inking and ink is applied directly to the printing die or into inkwells Good - Can be messy with the exposed rubber die and separate stamp pad as well as the need to re-ink the pad with liquid ink
Ease of use
Print quality
Best - Just press and print, the mechanism controls the amount of ink laid down on the paper.  Outstanding imprint quality Better - The amount of pressure can slightly affect the imprint quality.  Extremely good imprint quality Good - The amount of ink on the pad and the pressure used will significantly affect imprint quality.  Fair imprint quality due to having to hold stamp very flat during use
Life of stamp Better - Plastic Units:  100,000+ impressions with re-inking or pad replacement after 7,500 prints.
Metal Units: 250,000+ prints with same re-inking as plastic units
Best - 100,000+ impressions with re-inking every 25,000-30,000 prints Good - 100,000+ impressions with pad re-inking every 2,500 prints
Range of sizes Better - 30+ sizes, some with special applications Best - 40+ sizes, special applications: inspection, pencil cap, pocket Good - Full range of sizes, limited special application
Special Inks Good - SOME special inks can be used, but are limited due to exposure which can dry the special inks in the pad Not applicable with standard pre-inks - Requires special Xstamper Industrial stamps with limited sizes and inks Best - With the die made of RUBBER the stamp can be used with a wide range of special inks
Stamps are offered in many sizes, shapes and designs to manage a wide variety of duties. Your customized text or designs can be included with self-inking, pre-inked or standard hand stamp ink pad printing.

* Basic Stamps may contain an address, phrase, logo, signature, notary or practically anything for repetitive printing.
* Date Stamps offer the flexibility to change and print the calendar date within the customized text.
* Stock Stamps are a cost-effective way to handle common tasks. They are non-customizeable but are offered with many standard  phrases or date options.
* Specialized Stamps are available to handle very specific tasks such as automatic numbering, marking time, marking cloth or even metal and other industrial materials.