| 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.
|