Rubber Stamps and Ink Pads

Where the ink comes from in each type of stamp

A traditional rubber stamp is pressed on a separate ink pad before each impression. A pre-inked stamp holds ink inside the die and gives clean, repeatable marks without a pad. Daters add rotating date bands, and roller stamps cover address blocks or hide personal data on documents. Choose by how often you stamp: occasional use is fine with a pad, while daily stamping favors a pre-inked design with a refill bottle.

Water-based ink needs a surface that absorbs it

Water-based ink dries on plain paper, but it sits wet on glossy card and plastic. For those surfaces, use fast-drying or permanent ink made for non-porous materials. Pad size must exceed the die so the whole image is inked, and some pads hold two colors, such as a dual-color red and blue pad. Re-ink with the same type of ink the pad was made for, adding drops sparingly, because oversaturated pads smudge.

Questions about Rubber Stamps and Ink Pads

How do I re-ink a stamp pad?

Use the ink type the pad was made for, such as water-based for a water-based pad, and add a few drops across the surface before letting it soak in. Too much ink floods the pad and blurs impressions, so add a little at a time.

Why does my stamp smudge?

The usual causes are too much ink on the pad or die, a glossy surface that will not absorb water-based ink, and rocking the stamp as it lifts. Press straight down, lift straight up and let the mark dry before touching it.

What does a dual-color stamp pad do?

A dual-color pad holds two inks side by side, such as red and blue, so one pad covers two marking colors. Press the stamp fully in one zone to avoid blending the colors, and choose a single-color pad where a pure shade matters.