Custom stamps are still in the focus of interest of business owners, people of art and just those who want to add a bit of flair to their personal correspondence. Using your own, unique stamp is an exciting process which differs much from the use of something standard and typical. This guide will lead you through all points of developing an exclusive stamp. You will know about the basics and how to adapt various stamp designs to a certain type and purpose of the device. So, here are the steps to making a perfect impression for your business, personal brand, or even some refinement throughout your everyday handwriting.
Step 1. Consider the Type of the Device
There are three types of hand-held stamps, and their shape, size, and structure will give the basis for further design development. Here are they:
- Traditional rubber stamps. This wood-handled type implies the use of a separate ink pad. Rubber stamps come in many shapes and sizes and are mostly used individually for some crafting and artistic purposes like decorating cards or pictures. You can try some exclusive patterns with it, but avoid too small and complicated details. An artsy design may lead to a blurry and untidy impression.
- Self–inking stamps. This type implies a unique construction which consists of a rotating mechanism, a water-based ink pad, and the rubber stamp which dyes into it each time an impression is carried out. The stamps provide clearer and more precise imprints compared to the traditional rubber items. They can be used for both personal and professional purposes. However, they usually come in rectangular shapes, so you have to adapt the design to it. Also, use less tiny details for it, because they can be blurred if you work fast with it.
- Pre-inked stamps. These items have an ink reservoir which is built right into the rubber dye. Its one-piece construction allows it to make very crisp, clear, and high-quality impressions, and it makes the type a perfect solution for logos. However, these stamps use oil-based ink only and you have to use ink of the same color for refill throughout the use. It means you can’t turn these inking stamps into colorful custom units.
The complexity and diversity of stamp design always depends on the type. Traditional rubber stamps allow you to let your imagination out while self-inking and pre-inked units imply something simpler and stricter or at least more elegant.
Step 2. Think About the Purpose
The look of your stamp also depends on your intentions in terms of using it. You may need the item for professionalizing your business documents, your stationery, return address, for photographs, or for embellishment of your craft projects at home. The purpose defines both the pattern and the content of the stamp. For example, a business seal requires inclusion of logo, company name, or contact details. Craft and creative projects require more sophisticated and decorative stamp design.
Materials for stamping on also matter when you develop the look and content of the device. If you work mostly on rough paper, consider a simpler design. Personal letters and DIY works usually imply elaborate impressions. In general, the imprint has to resonate with the identity of your brand or convey the message and values you want to deliver to your audience.
Step 3. Outline the Content
You should also rely on the type and the purpose of your stamp when it comes to the selection of design elements. The stamp composition usually includes:
- Company name and/or business logo
- Contact information (phone numbers, email and postal addresses, etc.)
- Trading hours
- The key services a company provides
- Business slogan
- Legal information (company registration number, tax number, etc.)
- Decorative elements (borders, ornamental lines, floral elements, graphics, emoji, etc.)
When you choose data for depiction, consider both stamp size and the value of information. If the impression is cluttered or frilly, a customer cannot read it correctly or take it properly.
Some tips on making a stamp that works
Each point matters when you develop the composition of your personalized stamp. Here are some recommendations which can turn its impression into an eye-catching detail:
- Choose legible and clear fonts that are well visible even when reduced.
- Pay more attention to clean and simple graphics and patterns.
- Select elements which look appealing in any single color.
- Try to reach a flawless balance of texts and graphics.
- Bring enough negative space for memorable and striking combination with linked areas.
You may try to develop several layouts to figure out the elements of stamp design that works best for your business or personal brand. In this case, you may see new touches to finalize your idea.
Step 4. Define the Style of Your Stamp
Several ideas may come to mind when you create your unique stamp, but you have to bring it to a consistent style in the end. An appropriate design is usually a reflection of your business, your approach, and even your craftsmanship. There are at least three variants of styles which can be adapted to your personal branding:
- This design is based on serif fonts, strict and elegant borders or emblems, and formal language. It works well with formal correspondence and official documents and is good for various types of businesses.
- The style attracts those who prefer clean and crisp lines, sans-serif fonts, and prevalence of white spaces. If you are trying to develop a design that conveys your contemporary approach and up-to-date drive, this stamp is a point to consider.
- Exclusive and artistic. Whimsical impression is typical for this style, so you can show your creativity. You may decorative fonts, exquisite graphics, and unusual shapes and scripts which align with your brand identity. It is a challenge to find harmony here. However, there are a lot of tools to develop a stamp design that will produce an appropriate impact.
There are other graphic styles but they are rather shifty. Those two mentioned above are the best choice if you want a stamp with more stylistic longevity.
Step 5. Refine Your Design
Your stamp must be perfected and tested before you send it to production. Use user-friendly online tools and software, including CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator, to explore the layout, define the drawbacks, and fix them. Also, you can simply print all variants on paper to see how the stamp will look on documents and improve legibility, size, or spacing. Feel free to test it as long as you need and make as many iterations as you feel necessary. You can keep refining your design until you are pleased with the finalized impression.
Conclusion
Choosing a design for your first custom rubber stamp may be a challenge. You have to consider purpose, content, fonts, decorative elements, and even colors to achieve the composition which meets your requirements. If you are not sure you can do it on your own, search for ideas on social media like LinkedIn or Facebook or benefit from special services for creating pattern and composition, such as MyStampReady.
The service offers a wide range of tools and templates to develop a full-scale customized design based on your ideas. All you need is to choose a model from the set and insert your data or generate your own composition in the MyStampReady seal designer. When your stamp is created, you can upload the file to your computer and use it as you wish. Also, you can order the production of a physical unit from a reliable maker who delivers your order on time. It may become the easiest way to get the stamp which becomes a part of your style or brand identity.