How to Clean your Self Inking Stamp Properly

If you have a clean self inking stamp it should give you a great impression each time with minimal force. If you notice your letters starting to become filled in, your image becoming fuzzy or only some of your image is appearing it may not be your stamp. Debris can build up on your rubber and effect your stamp's impression. Whether it's dust, paper fibers, or dirt you will want to know how to clean your stamp.

It will only take you a few minutes to clean your stamp but there are some things you should know about when doing so. Your self inking stamp is made to stamp many times over. Each time your rubber comes in contact with your pad your die rotates to get ink on your stamp. There are ways to clean your die and your pad separately.

When to Clean a Self Inking Stamp

You don't always need to clean your stamp after each use. You can just visually inspect your stamp and see if it looks okay. If you are using your stamp everyday on packages, invoices, mailing etc you should inspect your stamp each time your impression is not looking the same as the first. Maybe you use your address stamp once a week at home. You may only need to clean it when the impression looks off or if it has been sitting for a long time.

If you are having trouble with some letters on your stamp being clogged, the outline on your stamp isn't appearing all the way, or if you are getting extra markings on your paper that aren't on your design you should try to clean your stamp. If your stamp is imprinting lightly it could also be your pad that needs cleaned. Try to clean your die first as debris can cause this as well.

Always try to clean your stamp if you stamped onto something dirty or has paper dust on it. You will want to do this before storing your stamp away.

What You Need Before You Start

When cleaning your stamp you want to keep it simple. Lint free cloth, toothbrush (or other soft brush) and a little bit of water or cleaner for your stamp. You can just dampen your cloth with water if you have water based ink on your rubber.

Do not submerge your stamp in water or pour any liquid on your rubber. There are moving parts in your self inking stamp that we want to keep clean and in working order. You don't want to soak your stamp and cause it to leak or become a mess when you are ready to use it.

You should also refrain from using harsh cleaning products on your stamp. Abrasive materials can scratch your rubber and harm the lifespan of your stamp. Stick to the basics when cleaning your self inking stamp.

How to Clean a Self Inking Stamp Step by Step

Lay your stamp on top of some scrap paper or something you don't mind staining. You can then push down on your stamp and unlock the tabs or button that hold your stamp closed. Once you have unlocked your stamp it should open up and you can begin to clean the rubber on your die. Some stamps may have different ways to unlock them but follow the instructions that go with your stamp.

Clean the rubber die first

Take your dry brush and brush your rubber die. This will allow you to remove any dirt or dust that may be on your die. Try not to brush too hard on your rubber die. Your stamp will have small details that you don't want to rub too hard on.

Using a damp (not dripping) cloth wipe your rubber die. Wipe your stamp in one motion across your rubber die. If you are noticing some of your ink stuck to small text you can brush it off with your toothbrush (lightly dampened). Then wipe it with your cloth again.

You want to make sure your die is free of any dirt or debris. You don't have to worry about the die being perfectly clean. If you still see some ink stains on your die it won't affect your stamp's impression.

Let the die dry completely

Once you've wiped your stamp with a damp cloth leave your stamp open for a few minutes. Do not stamp anything that you care about just yet. Stamp some scrap paper to make sure your impression looks good. If it is too wet blot it with your cloth and let it dry some more.

If you did happen to get your stamp too wet this is a good opportunity to let it dry. You want your die to be completely dry when it makes contact with your pad.

Return the stamp to working position

Lock your stamp back into working order and stamp some more scrap paper. You may have to do a few test stamps until you get your desired impression. If your stamp continues to imprint lightly there may be a problem with your pad.

If you are still noticing some letters that aren't appearing try to inspect your die again.

Cleaning the Pad Is Different From Refilling It

Your pad should never be cleaned with water. If you add water to your pad you can wash out the color and have your stamp imprint incorrectly. You may need to add ink to your stamp or replace your pad altogether.

Add refill ink to your stamp that corresponds with the ink color of your stamp. You can always add a few drops at a time and make sure your pad absorbs the ink before using your stamp. If you put too much ink on your stamp your impression will look blotchy.

You can also replace your pad if it is old, dirty, damaged or if you want to change ink colors. Having a replacement pad will ensure your stamp looks crisp and your ink will imprint on paper correctly.

If you own a trodat or ideal stamp make sure you are using the correct replacement pad for your stamp size.

Problems Cleaning Cannot Fix

If you have tried to clean your stamp and your impression is still looking light. Your stamp may need ink. Or if your stamp is imprinting too dark and smearing it could have too much ink on it. Continue to stamp scrap paper until you feel like your impression looks good.

Your rubber die may be damaged. If your stamp has cracks, missing letters or your design isn't coming through clean you will need a new stamp. We recommend getting a new stamp for your business to make sure it looks professional.

Making sure you are stamping on a flat surface and pressing down evenly can also give you bad impressions. Always make sure you are stamping on a hard surface and using equal force.

Keep Future Cleaning Simple

By keeping these tips in mind you can ensure your stamp stays clean. Make sure your stamp is always stored closed and away from any dust or paper scraps. If you are using your stamp for office purposes test your stamp in the morning to make sure your impression is still looking good.

If you are looking for stamps to imprint messages on your packages or paperwork make sure to have some spare ink and replacement pads on hand. At Creative Rubber Stamps we have been in business for over 25 years and can help you find the right stamp and supplies for you.

Clean your self inking stamp when it's needed. Make sure your pad has enough ink and your die is clean. With these steps you'll never have to worry about your stamp looking dull again!