Glossary and Terms

Pre-Inked Rubber Stamps: A pre-inked rubber stamp holds ink within its own ink-saturated die, eliminating the need for an ink pad. Simply press the pre-inked rubber stamp against the paper to make a clean impression.

Laser Engraved Rubber Stamps:  : Laser engravers can create detailed graphics, replicate intricate logos, and engrave at various depths for a more textured finished product. All Xstamper® rubber stamps are laser engraved using the latest laser technology. This process is by far the most convenient and offers the best quality impression.

Gel Rubber Stamps: Gel pre-inked rubber stamps have been made for the past 30 years and are known for starting out with a clean and clear impression that does not feather (bleed). Gel rubber stamps are frequently inconsistent in quality resulting in warped dies or leaking stamps. Because gel rubber stamps are not very durable and the production process is very messy and time consuming most manufacturers are abandoning them.

Flash Rubber Stamps: Introduced in 1996, this process is much quicker than gel or laser processes allowing the manufacturer to offer “same day” service. Flash rubber stamps are made with a stencil process that results in the rubber being covered in a thin plastic film. Most users feel they are temporary use products because the film develops cracks or small tears with repeated use. While development of this process continues, they make good impressions and can be re-inked.

Self-Inking Rubber Stamps: Self-inking rubber stamps are sold by almost every independent stamp manufacturer. In ClassiX® by Xstamper®, the self-inking stamp has a special mount that has a built-in ink pad and spring mechanism that automatically re-inks the die between impressions.

Metal Stamps: With heavy-duty construction and precision components, these stamps ensure a smooth, quiet action. They are best used for rugged environments or where high-volume stamping occurs.

Plastic Stamps: Economical with a lightweight yet very durable construction, these stamps are perfect for everyday use. They have been well-engineered for both ease and frequency of use.

Traditional Rubber Stamps: Popular in large part due to their reasonable price and their quick delivery time; however, the ink pad that is necessary is messy and inconvenient. Most of these rubber stamps are made with a photopolymer die. The dies are made of rubber if they will be used with non-porous (fast dry) inks. Our Artline® ink pads are heavily pigmented and produce a darker, bolder impression than competitive products.

Photopolymer Stamps: Dies made from liquid photopolymer are quickest and least expensive for one of a kind dies. Hard sheet clear photopolymer is used as a master when the same design will be mass produced.


Ribtype: Also known as ribbed rubber type, this stamp has a ribbed impression area that allows interchangeability for messages, stock type sets and custom logos. They can contain a wide range of sizes and type styles.

Rocker Mount: Traditional stamp used for large impression areas, the rocker mount’s impression plate is curved allowing maximum image coverage from middle to sides. With traditional stamps, no message is too long or too short making them very accommodating.

Vulcanized Rubber: Vulcanization is the process of treating crude or synthetic rubber or similar plastic material chemically to give it useful properties such as elasticity, strength, and stability. Vulcanized dies are made with hard sheet polymer, pressed under heat and pressure into a matrix. This matrix is the mold for gum rubber and vulcanized to make the rubber stamp die.

Non-porous inks:  Inks used to make a permanent mark on glass, plastic, metal or glossy paper. Usual drying time of 15 seconds or less.

Engraved Rubber: Engraved rubber is available in many different colors, textures and finishes. Fabrication equipment including the latest in laser and digital technology is used