Omar Khalid
Stamping has a rich history that dates back to the Old Testament, and while there is no exact date for when plastic stamp pads were invented, we know that stamping as a practice was growing into a major art form in Japan, with the Ukiyo-e style of art being accessible to the country's merchant class. In the 19th century, the addition of petroleum distillate shortened the dry time of inks, leading to the invention of colour printing inks. Ink pads, which came in tins with pre-inked pads, were available before the turn of the 20th century. Homemade stamp pads are usually made with upholstery foam, polystyrene, and a hot glue gun, and can be customised in terms of size and pigment.
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What You'll Learn
Self-inking stamps were patented in 1886
The history of stamping dates back to the Old Testament, and the practice evolved into a major art form in Japan. Woodcut printing, which was an essential part of the Ukiyo-e style of Japanese art, sparked a renewed interest in the West during the late 19th century.
In the context of rubber stamps, the story begins in 1736 when French explorer Charles Marie de la Condamine discovered rubber in the Amazon River Basin. Initially, rubber was used to erase pencil marks, but it turned into jelly at higher temperatures, making it ineffective. Charles Goodyear solved this problem by accident in 1839 when he spilled a mixture of sulfur and gum rubber onto a hot stove, thereby curing the rubber. Goodyear named and patented the vulcanization process in 1844.
Henry C. Leland from Massachusetts also claimed to have made the first rubber stamp in 1863. However, this claim is widely viewed with skepticism, as Leland was a salesman selling metal stamps at the time. By 1866, companies were already producing stamps, and in 1886, B.B. Hill patented the self-inking stamp, revolutionizing office automation. This type of stamp had a metal roller with a handle, detachable map faces, and a large ink pad. It allowed users to change the map stamp, roll the stamp onto the ink pad, and then onto a piece of paper. Self-inking stamps were a significant innovation, especially in the classroom, as they were one of the first technological advancements in education. Rubber stamps enabled teachers to create worksheets and teaching materials, especially during the Depression in the 1930s when schools lacked funds for textbooks and workbooks.
The stamping industry continued to evolve, and by 1892, there were at least 4,000 companies manufacturing rubber stamps. In 1911, a trade association was formed, which later became the International Marking and Identification Association. Today, self-inking stamps are widely used in businesses and for personal hobbies, scrapbooking, and shipping needs. They save time, streamline processes, and ensure proper documentation.
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Antique ink pads from the 1950s were made from tin with pre-inked pads
The evolution of stamping as we know it today is due to two important inventions: the printing block and ink. The earliest inks from all civilizations are believed to have been made with lampblack, a kind of soot easily collected as a by-product of fire. In Ancient Egypt, red and black inks were used for writing and drawing on papyrus from at least the 26th century BC. The earliest Chinese inks may date back four millennia ago to the Chinese Neolithic Period and were made from plant, animal, and mineral inks.
In the 19th century, the addition of petroleum distillate (a solvent) shortened the dry time of ink. This discovery played a crucial role in the invention of colour printing inks. Antique ink pads from the 1950s were made from tin with pre-inked pads that soaked up and held ink, similar to modern ink pads. These antique ink pads were used alongside metal rollers with handles, detachable map faces, and rubber stamps to create worksheets for students in classrooms.
The development of the rubber stamp is closely linked to the history of rubber itself. Early commercial rubber production in the early to mid-1800s was centred in Brazil, where the rubber-producing Hevea plant is native. Rubber stamping, also known as stamping, involves applying dye or pigment-based ink to a rubber stamp to create decorative images on various media, typically paper or fabric.
Today, stamping is a popular craft that utilizes different types of stamps, including rubber and photopolymer stamps, and various media such as wood, metal, glass, plastic, and rock. While traditional stamps require a separate ink pad, self-inking stamps have a self-contained die, and pre-inked stamps have a die material impregnated with ink. The evolution of stamping has come a long way, from the antique tin ink pads of the 1950s to the diverse stamping techniques and media used today.
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Ink was revolutionised in the 19th century with the addition of petroleum distillate
The history of stamping and the ink used in the process dates back to the Old Testament. However, the specific reference to the 19th century and the addition of petroleum distillate to ink is an important milestone in this history.
Petroleum distillates, also known as aliphatic hydrocarbons, include substances such as kerosene, mineral spirits, naphtha, and Stoddard solvent. These distillates serve as solvents or a fraction of the solvent in the ink-making process. In this process, the solvent acts as a vehicle to hold and evenly disperse the pigment throughout the film.
The addition of petroleum distillate to ink in the 19th century was not an isolated innovation. During this period, stamping and ink technology were evolving in various parts of the world. For example, woodcut printing, which became a significant art form in Japan, began to be imported to the West in the late 19th century, influencing Romantic, Impressionist, and Post-Impressionist painters.
The 19th century also witnessed the patenting of the self-inking stamp by B.B. Hill in 1886, a breakthrough in office automation that remains in use today. This invention involved a metal roller with a handle, detachable map faces, and a large ink pad, allowing users to change the map stamp and roll it onto a pad of ink before stamping it onto paper.
In summary, the addition of petroleum distillate to ink in the 19th century revolutionised the drying time and colour printing capabilities of ink, while concurrent innovations in stamping technology, such as the self-inking stamp and the influence of Japanese woodcut printing, contributed to a dynamic evolution in the world of stamping and ink during this period.
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Quick-dry stamp pads are ideal for non-porous surfaces
The use of rubber stamps can be combined with other materials to embellish the image, such as chalks, inks, paints, fibres, and other ephemera. Rubber stamps are used in a variety of applications, including business, education, marking animals, and the food and drinks industry. The specific type of stamp pad that is ideal for a given application depends on various factors, such as the surface being stamped, the desired effect, and the type of stamp being used. Quick-dry stamp pads are ideal for non-porous surfaces, as they are designed to dry quickly and prevent smudging. This is especially useful when stamping on surfaces such as glass, metal, or plastic, where the ink needs to dry rapidly to prevent smearing or smudging.
Quick-dry stamp pads typically use ink formulations that are optimized for fast drying times. These inks may contain solvents or other additives that promote rapid evaporation, ensuring that the ink sets quickly and does not smudge. The fast-drying property of these stamp pads is crucial when working with non-porous materials because these surfaces do not absorb the ink in the same way that porous surfaces, such as paper or fabric, would.
Non-porous surfaces, by their nature, do not allow the ink to penetrate and be absorbed, so it is essential that the ink dries on the surface before it can be disturbed. Quick-dry stamp pads address this challenge by minimizing the drying time required. This feature is advantageous in applications where speed and efficiency are important, such as in business or office settings where large volumes of stamping may be required. Quick-dry stamp pads help to streamline processes and maintain the clarity and legibility of stamped impressions.
Additionally, quick-dry stamp pads can contribute to the overall quality and appearance of the stamped image on non-porous surfaces. By reducing the risk of smudging or smearing, the stamped image remains crisp and clear. This is particularly beneficial when using detailed or intricate stamp designs, ensuring that the final impression accurately represents the intended image.
The versatility of quick-dry stamp pads extends beyond their functionality on non-porous surfaces. They can also be used on porous materials, such as paper or fabric, with similar effectiveness. This versatility allows users to employ a single type of stamp pad for a wide range of applications, reducing the need for multiple types of ink pads. Quick-dry stamp pads, with their optimized ink formulations, have become an indispensable tool for both professionals and enthusiasts in various industries and creative pursuits.
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Classic ink pads are versatile and cost-effective
The history of stamping dates back to the Old Testament, and the practice evolved into a significant art form in Japan, with woodcut printing. In the 19th century, the addition of petroleum distillate to ink-making reduced drying times, leading to the creation of colour printing inks.
The rubber stamp, an image or pattern carved, moulded, laser-engraved, or vulcanised onto rubber, is integral to stamping. Ink, made of dye or pigment, is applied to the rubber stamp to create decorative impressions on various media, such as paper, fabric, wood, metal, and glass.
Classic ink pads are an essential accessory in stamping, transferring ink to the stamp surface to produce clear and legible imprints. They are versatile and cost-effective tools, with various types available, including traditional rubber stamp pads, self-inking stamp pads, and pre-inked stamp pads.
The versatility of classic ink pads is evident in their compatibility with different stamp materials and their ability to accommodate various inks, such as pigment-based or dye-based inks. Pigment-based pads tend to be slow-drying and opaque, making them suitable for fabric applications and heat embossing. In contrast, dye-based pads are typically transparent, fast-drying, and water-based, although they can also be solvent-based.
The cost-effectiveness of classic ink pads is enhanced by their longevity and the option to make them at home. Homemade ink pads offer customisation in size and pigment type while being more affordable than store-bought alternatives. Proper storage and maintenance of ink pads, such as storing them upside down, are crucial to optimise their performance and longevity.
Classic ink pads are indeed versatile and cost-effective tools that play a vital role in the stamping process, enabling clear and vibrant imprints on a diverse range of media.
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