Rubber stamps are a simple way to add branding, decoration or personalization to packaging, cards and paperwork. If you’re new to stamping, you may notice something frustrating: extra ink appearing around your design.
This usually happens when the flat rubber around the design (sometimes called the “dead space”) gets inked by mistake. The good news is that this problem is easy to fix once you know the correct way to ink your stamp. We are going to show you how to ink a rubber stamp properly so you get clean, crisp impressions every time.
What Is “Dead Space” on a Rubber Stamp?
“Dead space” refers to the flat rubber area surrounding the raised design of a stamp. For the stamps we make and sell, we always cut away as much of the dead space as possible when mounting our rubber stamps however sometimes it’s not possible in order to keep the integrity of the design. In the example shown below we didn’t remove any dead space just as an example for this blog post. Only the raised portion of the rubber should receive ink. If ink gets on the surrounding flat areas, it can transfer onto the paper and create unwanted ink blotches.
The Correct Way to Ink a Rubber Stamp
The key to a clean impression is inking lightly and evenly.
1. Tap the Stamp Lightly on the Ink Pad
Instead of pressing or rocking the stamp, tap the stamp gently onto the ink pad several times. Light tapping distributes ink evenly across the raised design only.
2. Avoid Pressing Too Hard
Pressing the stamp firmly into the ink pad can cause ink to spread onto the surrounding rubber. This is when the dead space gets inked, which leads to unwanted marks around your design.
3. Check the Stamp Before Stamping
Before making your impression, quickly look at the stamp surface. If you think you need to add more ink, tap on your pad a few more times until you have even coverage. If you see ink on areas outside the design, you can either lightly dab that spot with a paper towel or clean the stamp and start again. (We clean our stamps in between uses by making a microfibre cloth slightly damp and laying out on a table and then drag the stamp across)
4. Press Straight Down When Stamping
Place your paper on a flat surface and press your rubber stamp straight down with even pressure. Avoid rocking or twisting the stamp, which can also create smudges and ‘ghosting’.
Watch the video below to see it in action!
