Self-Inking Stamps vs Pre-Inked Stamps

There are a variety of styles of hand-held stamps available. These include Self-Inking Stamps, Pre-Inked Stamps, and Traditional Wood Handled Rubber Stamps that require a separate ink pad. Both pre-inked and self-inking are cleaner and make faster, more consistent impressions than traditional rubber stamps, which is why they have become the more popular modern choice when purchasing a custom stamp for addresses, signature stamps, and logo stamps while traditional stamps are still preferred for crafting and artistic use.

What Are the Differences Between Self-Inking & Pre-Inked Stamps?

A Custom Self-Inking Stamp typically has a rotating mechanism that presses the rubber stamp dye into a built-in water-based ink pad that re-inks the dye every time an impression is made. The rubber dye is stored in a retracted position in between impressions.

A Custom Pre-Inked Stamp is a type of stamp that has a reservoir of oil-based ink built directly into the rubber dye, which means that it does not require a separate ink pad like a self-inking stamp. This ink reservoir is filled with ink that is specially formulated to be absorbed by the rubber die to create crisp, clear impressions.

Everything from the way the stamp is made to the impression it leaves is truly unique. Let's take a look at what these stamps are and how they work.

What Is A Self-Inking Stamp?

A self-inking stamp makes the traditional rubber stamp automatic by using a tiny built-in ink pad to re-ink itself for each quality impression. Your personalized die is made with real rubber and mounted on the ink stamps of your choosing. When making an impression, your die will retract back and forth against the internal ink pad within the stamp.

Initial ink pad comes in the stamp, but you can purchase additional ink for instances where impressions are becoming worn or when you would like to change your ink color. Just be sure to look for ink that is compatible with self-inking mounts.

• A self-inking stamp is best for stamping repeatedly and quickly
• Works quickly with a simple press
• Can handle rough and heavy use
• Can use a variety of inks which is useful for periodic re-inking
• Self-inking stamps make about 10,000 impressions before needing ink
• Easy to re-fill ink on your own
• Affordable good quality impression

What Is a Pre-Inked Stamp

A pre-inked Stamp does not use a rubber die. These models flash your personalized information into an ink filled vessel within the stamp. This method allows for ink droplets to seep through the impression area only from the ink reservoir behind the stamp.

Pre-inked stamps must be re-inked with liquid oil-based ink only. They require the use of the same color as the initial ink stamps you've used. You must use ink specific to the manufacturer of the stamp mount that you've chosen.

• A pre-inked stamp creates sharp, crisp, top quality impressions
• Longest lasting ink stamps with up to 50,000 impressions
• Compact mounts that are clean and easy to work with
• Mounts have a bottom cover for storage
• Easy to re-fill with ink, but must always use the same type
• Recommended for stamps with logos

Is a Self-Inking or Pre-Inked Stamp Better?

Self-inking stamps are the most popular stamp type on the market and designed to make stamping easy, efficient, and affordable. Since there is no need to re-ink the stamp in between sessions, self-inking stamps can make thousands of impressions in a row, saving you time and money. They are a reliable choice for both professional and personal needs and we recommend them when speed is of the essence. Because self-inking stamps use water-based ink and may smudge on non-porous surfaces, they are not appropriate for shiny or glossy surfaces.

Pre-inked stamps provide the best quality impression and can achieve the highest level of detail. If you want an uncompromised impression and cost is no object, pre-inked stamps are the top-of-the-line stamp. It may even appear like the impressions are machine printed instead of stamped. When stamping on shiny or glossy surfaces we always recommend pre-inked stamps using oil-based ink. Pre-inked stamps are suggested for projects or any design that requires precision over speed.

First, we collected the supplies we thought would be perfect for dressing up an ordinary envelope. Here's what we used:

• washi tape (and LOTS of it)
• embellishments
• scissors
• an extra fine tipped pen
• a plain, brown envelope
• a personalized address stamp

Next, we chose our three favorite washi tapes and added them to the left side of the envelope, using the scissors to remove the excess. We chose this simple pattern of alternating different wash tapes along the edge, but the creative possibilities are endless with this step. You can choose to line the full envelope with washi tape or create a box to house the name and address of your recipient, just to name a couple.

We then added a few embellishments to one of the washi tapes, choosing to use the small gem in the package to be sure the envelope was still post office friendly.

Using the fine-tipped pen, we created a very simple pattern of dashes along the remaining edges of the envelope. We also flipped the envelope over and included the pattern on the flap.

Next, we stamped the personalized return address stamp on the back flap of the envelope. When stamping your envelopes with a return address stamp, you always want to be sure you first open the envelope and lay it out flat, as pictured below. If you stamp your envelopes this way, you'll get a consistent and even impression every time!

Finally, we used the fine-tipped pen to address the envelope and prepare it for sending.

The only rule when creating mail art is it should always be designed with your recipient in mind! If you're sending a letter to someone who loves vintage items, go for a vintage theme. If they love all things floral, find flower stickers to add a few accents that will definitely be appreciated. We hope we've inspired you to give mail art a try of your own and send a beautifully decorated piece of mail to someone you love!

“Home is where you hang your hat.”

“You can never go home again.”

We’ve all heard all of the countless clichés but in order for a cliché to be coined, there must first be some truth to it. So what exactly is a home? A feeling, a smell, a memory, a family- it’s not the bricks that helped build its walls, nor the cements that solidified a driveway. A home is a place of comfort, of safety, of support, and of individual expression and escape.

Days can be tough but nothing can erase the feeling of pulling into your own driveway, walking in your own front door, and lounging on your own couch, in your own living room, in your own home. At the end of the day, a home cooked meal, maybe a movie night with your significant other, and a sweet dream during the night has the power to set the world right again even when it seems that it may be falling apart.

Memories. A home is where memories are made. Pictures can also hold memories, but pictures can be moved. The trim on a doorframe that holds the heights of your kids can’t be as easily removed and packed away in a box. The stairs your daughter walked down to be picked up for her first date can’t be moved no matter how hard you try; and neither can the driveway that you first drove up on the day you received the keys to your new home.

But when you first move into your new home- there are walls, a kitchen, a bedroom, bathroom, living room- but there are no memories to give you that warm fuzzy, comfortable feeling that ties you there. No personal touches, or pictures; nothing to make you feel at home- yet.

So how do you turn your house into a home? Well before you can start adding all those special personal touches, you’re going to need to find someone to help you find your new place. These people are called realtor's and they exist to help you find the perfect home! Talking and interacting with a good realtor's can help them get a feel for your taste, style, personality, and most importantly price range.

And for all the realtor's out there who may or may not be reading this, give yourselves a pat on the back for all the happy couples you've made- between people and their homes of course! Now here at SimplyStamps.com we know it’s customary to give a closing gift to your newly settled and eager-to-move-in-occupants-to-be, so please allow us to help you come up with something perfect! Give your happy new owners the very first thing that will make them feel a sense of belonging in their new place. With that being said, what could be more perfect than a custom address stamp- what is a custom address stamp? Click here.

Here at SimplyStamps.com we offer hundreds of impressions to choose from so don’t be afraid to comb through our selection to find the perfect address stamp for the neighborhoods newest resident! Give your clients the gift that keeps giving, help them save money, and at the same time give them the first item to make them feel like they’re home!

Introducing the Address Stamp! With the address stickers, you have to order them from a newspaper advertisement, or in some online store for special ones. If you find a design you like and then you run out, you may not always be able to purchase the same thing again. With address sticker advertisements from the weekly paper, you have to send in your money and run the risk of it getting lost or stolen in the mail and still ending up without your product. And what’s so great about address stickers? They run out, they have a tendency to look cheap, and the chances of you getting the same design twice are slim. The address stamp turns everything on its head and is exponentially more convenient.

With the address stamps, you no longer need to rely on predetermined image for your impression. While sure we have multitudes of designs to choose from, we here at SimplyStamps.com believe in giving the user as much control as possible. Not only can you customize the lines of your address stamp but also the image itself. All you have to do is let us know what you want, and we will make it for you!

Even though in today's world so much emphasis is placed on emails messages, Facebook, and tweets- there is still something to be said about receiving a birthday, Christmas, get well, or congratulatory card or letter in the mail. And the look of the address stamp on an envelop as opposed to an address stick or label, just make it even more special.

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