Rubber Stamp Types for Office and Business Document Security & Management

Presumably, rubber stamps began in the late 1800s.  A person named Andrew Schwab reportedly began Northwestern Stamp Company in 1881 . Document security began a long time ago. That makes hand stamp technology over 100 years old – an antique by definition. Printing them is new. And document security is far more important. A company called X-stamper Online claims to have been making stamps for over a hundred years. In large companies as well as small companies, each employee can have their own collection of stamps to mark the documents they generate.  At times, these collections reached the point where the worker had a single desk drawer for their custom rubber or self-inking stamps. All had to be manually applied instead of him using his printer.

Hardly an efficient method of marking business documents. But, document security was an overriding consideration.

Self-Inking Stamps for Office and Business Document Security & Management

There are self-inking stamps, dater and numbering stamps, traditional stamps that use stamp pads and art stamps.  Most of these are obtained from Staples, Office Depot and similar office supply stores. The most common ones now used for business document marking are self-inking.  These are designed with a built-in inkpad and are “re-inked” each time the stamp is depressed and returns to its resting position.  Historically, they were carved and/or molded and required an ink-pad.  They still do!  That pad contains the ink that the traditional custom stamp uses to mark the document or object.  Custom rubber or self-inking stamps are still the most convenient type of stamp for marking odd-sized objects and boxes.  Some custom stamps were used to put logos, designs and other decorative art-work on paper when printing was much more expensive. Inkjet and laser printers make document marking more efficient and professional.

Industrial Stamps for Security

These are an innovation in the area of pre-inked custom stamps in that many have special ink formulations that speed drying time and that are waterproof.  Their design is intended to keep the ink from drying out and extending their life-time.  These industrial custom stamps are designed to mark most anywhere and can be quite expensive by comparison.  For example.  A three-line stamp Xstamper stamp that using 38 pt. (72 pts/inch) letters is 1.78in. x 3.37in. is $99.95 at one stamp company.  Most of these are custom stamps. StampIt can make any image that these stamps can make and the cost -- virtually free. Nevertheless, this innovation did not improve document marking. It was still being implemented without laser or injet printers. Certainly printing is much more economical.

Xstamper custom stamp for Offices

These are supposed to be good for over 50,000 impressions. However, most business stamps are lost long before the ink dries out. That doesn't happen with your printer. X-Stamper range in cost from $33.50 for a  1”x2” to $79.95 for a 1-15/16”x 2-15/16” to the $99.95 for a 1.8” x 3.4” that is indicated above.  Frequently, the custom stamps will become lost before they wear out. In large businesses, the cost of these X-stamper stamps for each employee that uses them can become quite significant.  Some users become addicted to rubber stamps and tend to use them at every opportunity. Again, if these stamps are used for paper documents, StampIt can create them virtually free and with far more latitude and standardization. And, no more need go to Staples or Office Depot for rubber stamps.

Pre-made Stock Stamps for Offices and Business

Much of paper document marking and stamping is done with “stock pre-inked rubber stamps.”  Stamps such as Approved, Copy, Client’s Copy, Draft, Confidential, Copy for your information, File, File Copy, First Class Mail, Important, Personal, Revised, Rush and the like are available for approximately $9.50 each.  These stamps are usually ½” in x 1=5/8” and come in colors. Here again, StampIt has these images built into the program and they can be used "as is" or customized to any size, color or font, virtually for free. And they are infinitely scalable with your laser or injet printer.

Signature Stamps

Signature Stamps are similar to rubber or self-inking stamps but used to place a fascimile of a person's signature on a paper document. This is a common business practice and can be done graphically by StampIt, Word and your printer. To order one of these stamps, the use simply scans a copy of his signature. StampIt, again, can apply this signature, automatically, to any document and selectivly use it where the user designates eliminating the manual process.