Achieving the 1000s of impressions your stamp should last for, depends on how it is used and stored...

The impressive figure quoted by manufacturers of '1'000s' of prints per stamp is calculated by a machine (thankfully not a person!) and it's important to know that this figure is referring to the maximum number of stamps not the average achieved.

This said, you can help your stamp achieve a perfect impression every time and maximise its lifespan by considering how you use and store it.

Top Tips for a Perfect Stamp Impression and Longevity:

1. Control the pressure applied to print. 
Pressing hard uses the stamp ink up more quickly and is likely to produce a smudged print which will remain wet for a while and could therefore spread further (so be careful!). All our stamps need only a light pressure to get the clearest image, which of course uses less ink so it will last longer.

2. Consider the paper type - in particular its absorpency and finish.
Lower 'grades' of paper, for example jotter paper or recycled paper will use up more of the stamp's ink as these paper types are usually more absorbent and so draw more ink to 'bleed' out of the stamp, which not only uses more ink but is likely to leave a smudged image too. It's the same as using a felt tip pen on the paper, if it has higher absorbency, the ink spreads more, so more is used. Normal white paper e.g. photocopy paper is the best.

If you need to use this type of paper, try using less pressure on the stamp to help reduce the amount of ink that is dispensed.

While gloss paper or card is non-absorbent, using this type of paper should be avoided as the ink will either not dry (especially on high level gloss papers) or will take several hours to become touch dry.

3. Store your teacher stamp correctly to maximise its lifespan.
Self-inking stamps need to be stored at room temperature. If they get cold, allow them to reach room temperature before using. Storing a self-inking stamp below room temperature will cause condensation to form on the rubber stamp surface however, this quickly disappears as it warms to temperature. If you find a slight amount of condensation on the stamp surface, don't worry - this is quite normal and won't affect the stamp's quality or life expectancy.

4. Options for changing a stamp's ink colour.
If your stamp uses a stamp pad refill then you can change the colour of the stamp by removing the refill, stamping out the image until it no longer leaves any impression and then replacing the pad with a new colour version.

Other stamps which have an integral, pre-inked rubber (such as our popular Xclamations teacher stamps) cannot be changed. Adding a different colour ink, even if the stamp is printing very feint, will only create a brown tone impression.

5. Make sure you use the correct refill ink.
Different stamps are made using a different manufacturing process. This can be basically described as a rubber versus flash technology. The inks are very different and using the incorrect type may ruin your stamp. While using a different manufacturer ink for the same stamp style may sometimes work, it is not recommended or guaranteed - if in doubt please contact us. Each of our stamp product pages detail in a tab the type of ink refill required. 

Points to beware:

Appropriate usage - Most of the stamps we sell use a non-soluble ink which means they cannot be easily washed off and and they will also stain items they touch. Also, unless it is stated, most inks have not been been tested on skin, so reactions could occur.

Cheap imitations - there are many cheap stamps from manufacturers in places such as China available online. The ink used in these stamps can be toxic, is untested and can be dangerous especially if used by children. We only use high quality well respected brands whose inks undergo strict testing to ensure their safety.

We hope you find this school stamp guide useful.