| Many of you may have used rubber stamps before | | | | on a regular basis. These are re-inkable and very |
| either while crafting or in the office. Rubber stamps are | | | | reasonably priced. However, when the inkpad runs out |
| pieces of rubber that can be carved and molded into | | | | you will need to buy the whole stamp. Brand names |
| an image or pattern. The rubber can be mounted onto | | | | that you may have heard of include Ideal, Trodat, or |
| a stable block and then the ink is coated onto the | | | | Cosco. |
| design and then pressed onto some sort of fabric or | | | | 3) Pre-inked Stamps |
| paper so the colored image is transferred. | | | | This type of stamp has dye impregnated onto the |
| There are three basic types of stamps. These are | | | | design. These pre-inked stamps can be split into three |
| listed below; | | | | types. These are polymer gel pre-inks, the latest in |
| 1) Regular Rubber Stamps | | | | technology flash stamps, and the laser engraved |
| These are the basic kind that are used with a | | | | vulcanized rubber stamps. These types of stamps are |
| separate ink pad. They are easy to get hold of and | | | | a lot more expensive but are ideal for offices that use |
| cheap to buy. However they may be messy if not | | | | the same stamp over and over again, since they are |
| used properly. This type is ideal for crafters since you | | | | durableand long lasting, cheap to re-ink, and made to |
| can own a variety of designs to decorate almost | | | | the highest quality. |
| anything. However, these stamps are also perfect for | | | | Stamping is considered to be a fantastic hobby where |
| office workers. The stamp does not need to be | | | | people can collect different designs while others enjoy |
| replaced only the inkpad when it runs out, which is | | | | the designs they can make with the stamps. These |
| another advantage. | | | | decorative stamps can be used on letters, greetings |
| 2) Self-inking Stamps | | | | cards, banners, and other similar things to add that |
| These are mechanical stampers with an internal stamp | | | | personalized touch. |
| pad attached. The stamp hits the internal inkpad using | | | | The techniques involved in the art of rubberstamping |
| a swivel action between each use. The advantages of | | | | are varied and you can find whole websites devoted |
| this type of stamp is that they are quick and easy to | | | | to this subject. In fact there are even clubs that you |
| use making multiple stamping a breeze perfect for | | | | can join so you can get together with others to make |
| anyone working in an office where stamps are used | | | | things and share techniques and even their stamps! |