At present there are three different types of stamps that are most commonly being used in the production of stamps, for the use of stamps in either a commercial setting or home environment. These are the traditional rubber stamp; these are a more archaic type of stamp, coming with a handle which is attached to an impression plate, which has the impression etched on to rubber. Unfortunately this style of stamp does require a separate ink pad, and therefore needs to be re-inked by the user. As well as the traditional rubber stamps it has now become possible to purchase the much more modern pre-inked, and also self inking rubber stamps. Pre-inked stamps are the most up to date style of stamp that is currently available on the market. The pre-inked stamps offer users the very highest quality impressions. This achieved by having a porous gel rubber die. Lastly there is the self-inking style of rubber stamps; these stamps are an all in one spring loaded machine, the rubber on which the impression is etched on has a twisting mechanism. This will twist between each impression and be re-inked by touching the ink pad that is nestled in the roof of the component.

Self Inking Rubber Stamps offer the most variety of all three stamps, with several variations available. These stamps will re-ink themselves automatically after each impression has been made, on average they will create roughly 10,000 impressions before a replacement ink pad has to be bought. Ink pads can be purchased from most stockists and are relatively cheap to buy which make the self inking stamps amazingly cost effective to buy. The replacement ink pads are almost effortless to change. With most ink pads being replaced by simply pressing a button on the outer shell of the stamp which in turn will release a cartridge. The ink, that is in the ink pads are most frequently a non-toxic water based ink. The major advantage to using one of these custom rubber stamps is that they designed for swift and rapid quick succession and can used on a regular basis with out having to worry about the quality of the impression or ink pad.

Pre inked stamps are slightly different to the self inking stamps. They are the most modern type of stamp that is currently on the market at the moment. There is no external or internal ink pad needed with pre inked stamps, this is because the ink like resin is stored in the component and seeps through the porous rubber between each impression. The ink itself is stored in a reservoir located near to the handle of the stamp. This does however mean that they can not be used as rapidly as the self inking rubber stamps as a small amount of time is needed between each impression so that the ink can refill on to the rubber. It will last longer than the previous stamps- if used correctly the stamp will last 50,000 impressions. Most retailers will offer a life time guarantee alongside the sale of one of these products. They are unfortunately slightly more expensive than self inking stamps on initial purchase, but if used correctly they will out last their rival stamp design. Pre inked stamps offer the greatest quality impression of all the stamps and can also go to a text size of 5pts.
The main difference between the above two stamps realistically is the quality and the lengths of time that the stamp will last between re-inking. Both are refillable and are available in various different colours. Self-inkers are made of water-based ink where as the pre-inked stamps are made of an oil-based ink that seeps into the rubber like a resin. The pre-Inked stamps are undoubtedly of a higher quality and provide a solid, crisp impression while self-inkers offer a good impression at a far greater economical price. It should also be noted that it is recommended that neither of these stamps are used on either glossy paper or surfaces. Instead a fast acting quick dry stamp should be sourced so that the impression is not smudged.

The last type of stamp that is available to buy is the traditional tuber stamp. These are the oldest style of stamp that is available and are becoming more and more redundant in a commercial setting due to advancements in technologies; they do nevertheless still provide an adequate more cost effective alternative to both the self and pre inking styles of rubber stamps. They are a hand held stamp that is connected to an impression plate that the rubber impression is imprinted onto. The traditional stamps unfortunately can not facilitate an ink pad so a separate ink pad is required- most stockists will offer a free ink pad when purchasing a stamp. On the other hand this does have some slight advantages it does mean that several ink pads could be purchased or perhaps stamps with various ink pads so different coloured impressions could be created. Regrettably the traditional rubber stamp provides a much lower quality of impression of the stamp in comparison to wither the self or pre inked stamps.

So in short the major differences between the three types of stamps are as follows: Self inking stamps have a built in Self inking stamps have a built in fully re-inkable pad which complimented by the imaginative spring mechanism that re-inks the stamp between each impression being made. Pre-inking stamps come with a ink injected die, this means that no separate ink pad is required. And last but not least the traditional rubber stamps, they are a fully customisable stamp that can come infinite in size, shape and style. They do however require a separate inking pad and offer the lowest quality of stamp impression.

There are many online outlets that offer these styles of stamps, one such company that offer this and more is Stamps R US- as well as full array of both Trodat and Dormy rubber stamps they offer customers a wide range of both personalised products, Goldring produce and Trotec Trophies all of which can be fully customised online.