What's a Good Quality Self Inking Stamp?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread discusses various experiences and opinions regarding the quality of self-inking stamps, particularly focusing on brands like Merrill, Staples, and Vista Print. Participants share their personal experiences with different stamps, including their effectiveness and usability for various tasks.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expressed dissatisfaction with a self-inking stamp purchased from Office Max, noting it did not meet their expectations.
  • Another participant shared a positive experience with a Merrill stamp, mentioning its quality and the convenience of having the Pampered Chef logo on it.
  • Several users mentioned their satisfaction with Staples stamps, highlighting their sturdiness and reliability.
  • One participant noted that while they liked their Merrill stamp, it required specific pressure to achieve a clear imprint.
  • Another participant shared that they had to adapt their stamping technique for glossy materials, indicating that some surfaces posed challenges for ink adherence.
  • One user mentioned that they had a negative experience with a Vista Print stamp, describing it as small and hard to read.
  • Another participant indicated that they have successfully used their Vista Print stamps without issues.
  • Some participants discussed the need for additional stamps after changing their website information, suggesting a common concern among consultants.
  • One participant expressed interest in a specific stamp designed for non-porous materials, indicating a desire for better performance on glossy surfaces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the quality of stamps from different brands, with some participants expressing satisfaction with Merrill and Staples, while others had negative experiences with Vista Print. No clear consensus emerges on the best option.

Contextual Notes

Participants shared personal experiences with self-inking stamps in the context of their work as Pampered Chef consultants, focusing on practical applications such as stamping catalogs and outgoing mail.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for insights on the quality and usability of self-inking stamps may find this discussion relevant to their needs.

Liquid Sky
Liquid Sky
Messages
766
I need a self inking stamp that's good quality. I bought one from Office Max - the one that comes with a billion characters that you can customize the stamp yourself. I don't like the way it stamps. The product itself just isn't cutting it for me.

I want to order a custom stamp. I know I can order one through Merrill, but don't know the quality of it, and am hesitant to place an order.

I saw Vista Print offers custom, self inking stamps. Are these good? Where is a good place to order stuff like this?
 
I have the one from Merrill, and I like it. The stamp part itself is mounted just a tad crooked, but since I know that, I know how to make sure my imprint is straight. The one I have has my address on it, so I use it to stamp return addresses on envelopes, and I love that is has the PC logo on it. The refill ink I got from an office supply store.
 
i got mine from staples....and i love it, too bad i got it made before i decided to have my website, because now i need to get a new one made with that info on it. staples makes it in the store for you, and it seems really sturdy and stamps correct every time i use it. you can get it in different colors, but i just got the standard black ink in mine. and it was only $15 so not bad priced either.
 
I have two from Merill and I love both of them. So easy to stamp my catalogs and outgoing mail. They are a tad touchy sometimes but you just have to get used to the way your specific stamp has been made (I have to put extra pressure on the right side to get the last letter of my website to look like a j and not an i).
 
wadesgirl said:
I have two from Merill and I love both of them. So easy to stamp my catalogs and outgoing mail. They are a tad touchy sometimes but you just have to get used to the way your specific stamp has been made (I have to put extra pressure on the right side to get the last letter of my website to look like a j and not an i).
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Mine is the exact same way! I have to put pressure on the right side too. Other than that, I love it.
And Jessica - I had mine made before I had my website, so I just use the smallest Avery labels and print my website on that and stick it under the stamp.
 
Here soon I am going to have to invest in another one. I didn't buy one after my website change but instead have been using a bunch of clear labels that were given to me. My supply is about out though......
 
pampcheflisa said:
Mine is the exact same way! I have to put pressure on the right side too. Other than that, I love it.
And Jessica - I had mine made before I had my website, so I just use the smallest Avery labels and print my website on that and stick it under the stamp.
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Bummer part is I could have left my last initial off my website and not had a problem. The fact that Merrill prints their undercase J's without a "hook" at the bottom doesn't help it look less like an i!
 
pampcheflisa said:
Mine is the exact same way! I have to put pressure on the right side too. Other than that, I love it.
And Jessica - I had mine made before I had my website, so I just use the smallest Avery labels and print my website on that and stick it under the stamp.
Click to expand...

i never thought about doing that!! i might have to look into that i think i have some of those somewhere in my office i am sure!
 
I ordered mine from Staples about 5 years ago and it still works beautifully!
 
Vista has stamps, usually FREE and just pay for the shipping!
 
I have one from Merrill. I don't have a problem with it working the right way (as long as I'm on a flat surface) ... but some of our flyers have a coating that won't let the ink sit long enough to dry. It beads up & rubs off. So I end up using labels most of the time.
 
I don't recommend Vista print for a good quality one, especially if its free, it is usually very small and hard to read, just an fyi.
 
I have the Merrill one with the logo and my contact info, I've had it for almost a year now and haven't had to re-ink it. The quality is very good. I highly recommend them.
 
I have one from Merrill and like it a lot. It can be tempermental depending on the pressure you apply and the surface (the glossy mini's were tougher to do than flyers). I didn't get the one with my address because I don't care for everyone to know where I live and so I just use address labels for return address purposes. I really like that they Merrill ones have the logo - nice touch of class.
 
I have the Vistaprint ones and have 3 and never had a problem. I have one for checks (for deposit only/name), one with all my biz info (large stamp) and another small for people writing checks with only my name.
 
I have Merrill's also...I like that it has the Logo. I can't use it on catalogs or recipe cards & brochures because of the gloss- but on printed materials that I create and can't put it on the electronic version (like some flyers I get from here on CS), it's very convenient.
 
I actually do use my Merrill one on our glossy brochures- I kind of spread the brochures out and let them dry for a bit, but I figure if I invested in the stamp I want to use it as much as possible! Granted, I did buy it mostly for order forms, outside order forms, and the guest and host special flyers :)
 
I didn't want to get a stamper because of the catalogs - slippery, blurred ink, etc - but after someone told me to just try it - well I did and I love mine - I went to staples - had them make one for me and I have been using it for 3 years now. I will get another as soon as this one stops working. I use it for everything. I put my catalogs on the table and stamp them and let them dry - I let them dry while I do something else. I stamp all of my flyer that I print - the ones that I can't type in the info. (host & guest specials and things like that.) Staples told me that it would last about 5000 stamps - well I have done more than that by now. I am so glad I did get one.

:chef:
 
esavvymom said:
I have Merrill's also...I like that it has the Logo. I can't use it on catalogs or recipe cards & brochures because of the gloss- but on printed materials that I create and can't put it on the electronic version (like some flyers I get from here on CS), it's very convenient.
Click to expand...

I use mine on the catty's, recipe cards, brochures etc. You just have to leave them to dry completely and not move your hand when stamping (causing blurring). I line the RCs all along my kitchen counter and stamp pack upon pack at a time...go do other things and come back and collect them when dry. Same thing for catalogs/mini's/brochures. Tonite I have 2pks of catalogs all over my living room floor, mini's on my coffee table and the recipe cards on the dining room table all drying for a bit. Works just fine! Few mistakes here and there but nothing a label can't cover up if need be.
 
I had mine made at Office Max (at the CopyMax counter) and it works great.I had a Vista one before and it SUCKED. Threw it out.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #21
The Cosco 2000+ custom stamp kit that I currently have is really irritating to use on non-porous materials (mini's, recipe cards..etc). If I don't stamp just PERFECTLY, it blurs or whatever.

I was lining my table with cards and catties to stamp and let dry overnight, but then I had issue after issue w/ some prints coming out good and others like crap. So I had to go back over the messed up ones with a label.

There is a stamp specifically for glossy materials that I am highly considering getting. It's a stamp used for metals, plastic and nonporous paper materials. Yeah, I know I only have to wait a while or so using a regular stamp (I have found up to 2 hours in my experience) but if I can stamp and have it be dry in less than 5 mins I am sold :)

I really appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences! I totally forgot Staples and Office Max can make custom stamps. The only thing is is Office Max uses the Cosco 2000+ stamper...and that's the brand I have now...in a "kit version" to customize at home. So I am unsure as to how the "custom" one Office Max makes compares to the kit version that is available to buy and make the stamp at home.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self-inking stamp?

A self-inking stamp is a type of stamp that has a built-in ink pad, allowing it to automatically re-ink itself after each impression. This makes it convenient for repetitive stamping tasks, as you don’t need to manually apply ink each time.

What should I look for in a good quality self-inking stamp?

When choosing a good quality self-inking stamp, consider factors such as the durability of the materials, the clarity of the impression, the size of the stamp, and the quality of the ink. A reputable brand that offers a warranty can also be a good indicator of quality.

Are there specific brands known for high-quality self-inking stamps?

Yes, some well-known brands that are recognized for producing high-quality self-inking stamps include Trodat, Shiny, and Xstamper. These brands are often praised for their reliability, longevity, and the quality of their impressions.

Can I customize a self-inking stamp?

Yes, many companies offer customization options for self-inking stamps. You can typically choose the design, text, and sometimes even the ink color to suit your specific needs, whether for business or personal use.

How long does the ink last in a self-inking stamp?

The lifespan of the ink in a self-inking stamp can vary based on usage and the quality of the stamp. Generally, a good quality self-inking stamp can last for thousands of impressions before needing a re-ink or replacement pad, depending on how frequently it is used.

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