Pre-Inked Rubber Stamps Work Smarter

Traditionally people have been using rubber stamps to put a seal on the important documents – marking the company name or other endorsements. These stamps have to be pressed on an inkpad first and then on the surface where the stamp is needed. Recently pre-inked stamps have made their way in the market and are highly preferred because of their neatness and superior print quality.

Pre-inked stamps can be used for marking on any surface. These stamps are fast drying and water-resistant which makes it perfect for identifying personal items, photography, industrial equipment etc. There is no need of separate inkpads because the ink is present within the stamp itself. A clean, crisp impression is obtained every time a pre-inked stamp is used. Some commonly used messages in pre-inked rubber stamps are “WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS”, “THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAYMENT”, “PLEASE VISIT US AGAIN”, “A/C PAYEE ONLY”, “SEASON’S GREETINGS”. This helps to create a favorable impression on the customers about the organization concerned.

A pre-inked rubber stamp has ink within its own ink-saturated rubber die. The ink oozes it's way out through a rubber face of the stamp. They are also available in slightly larger sizes. These also last longer. Usually the quality of the stamp die is much better than both traditional stamps and self-inking stamps. Sometimes these are titled as ‘premium' choice of rubber stamps. The advantages of pre-ink rubber stamps are that they offer a better image quality than self-inking stamps.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,postage stamps,photo stamps

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Self Inking Rubber Stamps

Self-inking stamps are characterized by their separate die and re-inking pad, incorporated into a convenient spring-loaded mount. Pressing down on the top of the mount makes the stamp impression. The stamp die rotates away from the pad and down on to the area to be stamped. Self-ink stamps are mid-priced, and they cost more than conventional stamps, but less than pre-inked stamps.

The number of lines and the mount size determines the prices of self-ink stamps. Usually, 6 self-ink mount sizes are available. Care should be taken to avoid banging or applying excessive pressure on these self-inking stamps. The stamps should be pressed down firmly over the area to be stamped and pressure should be applied evenly. The advent of self-ink stamps has ensured consistent impressions and allows easy alignment to information on brochures, business cards and envelopes. A single ink refill would enable the user to make thousands of impressions.

Self-inking stamps are flexible to use as they can be dismantled easily. This facilitates changing the ink color at will. Self-inkpads are available in small to large sizes varying upon the number of lines. These stamps also do away with the need to carry a separate stamp and inkpad, adding to the convenience factor. The stamps are recyclable, hence when a change of information is required on the stamp, only the rubber die needs to be changed.

Self-ink stamps are made of heavy-duty plastics designed to give years of clear, quality impressions. Other features include non-slip rubber feet, clear label window to show full stamp text, and a secure locking mechanism. The stamp has an easy access pad, which can be re-inked or changed to give you thousands of additional quality impressions.

It is a useful tool used to ease the problems of drying ink in a regular rubber stamp inkpad.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,postage stamps,old stamps

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Personalized Rubber Stamps

In an ever-expanding corporate environment, the need to have an individual identity is a must to stand out from the crowd and get noticed. There are several ways of making this statement such as brand advertising, promotion campaigns and a personalized logo. However, a very subtle yet effective method used to highlight a person or organization’s individuality is the use of personalized rubber stamps.

A personalized rubber stamp allows the users to craft their own design, logo, slogan or signature for the stamp. The engravings in the rubber base are made exactly according to the need of the user, adding to the tailor-made approach. These rubber stamps also make the perfect gift for any occasion.

Personalized rubber stamps come in various shapes and sizes and focus on the minutest of details. Wood handle stamps are one of the most unique personalized stamps. Unlike other commercial stamps, these stamp handles are custom made to match the size of the rubber die. Other variations include personal signatures, images and logos. Since these stamps are made for a specific individual or organization, their size and shape can also be customized.

Personalized rubber stamps are usually made with real red rubber using laser engraver process. This process helps create the finest details in any stamp, may it be text based or an image. Personalized rubber stamps maybe used for a variety of purposes, such as stamping important documents, decorating greeting cards and wallpapers, certifying documents, and creating art tabletops.

Personalized rubber stamps are the best way to create a lasting impression of individuality. The stamps can also be designed as gifs for several occasions, including those designed to represent different zodiac signs for a person’s birthday. Whether representing an organization, an individual or just an abstract thought, these stamps are sure to leave a positive impression.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,postage stamps,photo stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Tips For the Amateur Postage Stamp Collector on Soaking Stamps

Here are tips for the amateur postage stamp collector on soaking the stamps:

1. Before soaking your stamp, separate stamps that are on any colored paper, stamps having colored cancellations, particularly those with purple or red ink, stamps of very dark in color, stamps that are on poor paper quality, or those with unidentified inks that could liquefy in the basin of water and can stain other stamps. Any "unusual" stamps should be separated and handled one by one.

2. Trim the paper of the envelope that surrounds stamp, being extra careful as not to scratch or slice the edges of the stamp.

3. When soaking the stamp, take a shallow container with lukewarm water and float in the stamps having the pictures side facing you. Make certain that there is enough room for the stamps to float not to stick to each other. Avoid soaking too many stamps all at one time.

4. Leave the stamps to float until such time that the adhesive dissolves so that the stamps easily slides off the piece of paper. Paper can rip easily so handle the stamp carefully and just allow the water to work on it.

5. Rinse off gently the stamps back in fresh clean water to so that all the adhesive is taken off.

6. Position the stamps in a manner that they are not touching each other on top of paper towels to dry, or old newspapers.

7. Leave the stamps to dry. When they should curl afterwards, place them in another dry piece of paper and place a heavy book on them.

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Picture Stamps

Picture Stamps, stamp collecting is something that I have dabbled in for the better part of 15 years. Stamps tell a story of all the countries of the world. They represent cultures both past and present and share various animals, artwork, and influential people from their respective countries. Presidents, leaders, to average everyday laymen.

My collection of picture stamps vary and the stamps that intrigue me the most are the foreign stamps. My collection has a very large amount of Chinese stamps, as well as India and Romania. China has always been a country of much culture and intrigue. The Chinese people are fascinating and many of the warriors of old as well as incredible animals are the subjects of their pictured stamps.

Stamps that are used usually are a challenge for any seasoned stamp collector, a good source of international stamps are universities and graduate programs here in the United States. Large amounts of applicants from all of the above mentioned countries apply for residency programs here in the United States and all of them mail their respective applications in. Chinese stamps also have a history of beautiful scenarios and backgrounds. One of the most expensive Chinese stamps of late with a high sale value is the Monkey stamp. This particular stamp sells in the neighborhood of about $280.00 for a fine stamp. Others in better condition command more.

American stamps are famous the world over and collectors buy the sheets and put them away, and like any other collectible the scarcer the stamp the more they are worth. I collect stamps for their beauty and speaking of beauty, who can forget the Marilyn Monroe 1995 Hollywood series.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,picture stamps,postage stamps

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Collecting Stamps, is it Worth It?

Stamp collecting, a secret hobby of many today, is in a way an art form. Many people find stamps they enjoy from envelopes, many just buy online. Then there are the few and the proud that look for collectors stamps. These collectors' stamps are worth money. Not just petty cash at times, but some serious bucks. For example about 6 or 7 years ago the Princess Di collectors' stamps came out. They came with a certificate of authenticity. If you have these stamps after a certain amount of years they could be worth thousands of dollars. But the key is that certificate.

Collectors stamps can be found just about anywhere. You can do a search on eBay, join a "stampers" club where you can purchase a variety of stamps about athletics, animals, people, and much more. Granted when you buy these stamps they aren't immediately worth anything. With time the value will go up.

Many collectors' stamps available are beautiful, very well crafted/painted. However there are a select few even though they are collector's items are so simple you wouldn't think so. I have a stamp myself that is a very simple design of a flag. The original price on the stamp was sold for 6 cents. Due to the original price this stamp is worth quite a bit.

Some people base their collectors' stamps on one solid item. For instance some prefer to only collect stamps about animals. When going through their collection you may see stamps from all over the world that show elephants, tigers, penguins, kolas, pandas, dogs, cats and much more, but no people. It all depends on the individuals theme. There are other people who have a very mismatched selection of stamps. Wide varieties of topics can be seen in these collections.

When going through someone's collection you will find that the collectors stamps are well protected. People use a wide variety of items to keep the stamps safe such as:
- Tins
- Photo Albums
- Plastic sleeves
- Picture frames
- Shoe Boxes
- Display cases

Just to name a few. There are many more places you can store your stamps. Most important is what will keep the stamps dust free and free from any form of condensation which could ruin the quality of the stamp causing the value to decrease with time (which no stamp collector wants to happen). So protection is key for any stamp collection. Let this be a lesson to anyone who wishes to start collecting, the natural elements can be your enemy take care of your stamps with much care they will be worth your while in the long run. Just be patient and happy stamping!

Tag : stamps,photo stamps,old stamps,stamps collcetion

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bushman

Old US Postage Stamps Price Guide

Thousands of people are avid stamp collectors. Even though this hobby may not seem the most interesting to everybody, stamps collecting is a great hobby. Those who are into collecting stamps know it can be a very entertaining hobby that can be quite time consuming. There are many reasons to get into stamp collecting. It can be exciting to find the different stamps that have been issued throughout the years. It can also be a thrill to collect special edition stamps or find stamps that were misprinted. Another reason that stamp collecting can be exciting is because many old stamps can be worth quite a bit of money. However, it can be difficult to know what old stamps are worth. Fortunately, an old US postage stamps price guide can help you know what your stamp collection is worth.

Benefits of Stamp Price Guide

A stamp price guide not only will let you know what the price of stamps are, but it will also offer other benefits as well. An old US postage stamps price guide will let you know all the stamps that are available and what special edition stamps have been issued over the years.

Stamp guides will also have interesting articles about stamps and stamp collections. A lot of great information can be gained from these guides. Many times the articles themselves alone are a reason to purchase the stamp guides.

Where to Find Stamp Price Guides

There are many different places you can find stamp guides. Collector stores that specialize in collecting stamps are a great place to start. You may find that your local collector store has several different stamp price guides. You can ask the salespeople at the store which guide they would recommend as well as what the differences between the guides are.

Stamp price guides are not as common in retail stores, but you may find some that carry them. Your favorite bookstore will have stamp price guides available as well. If you are part of a stamp collectors club, the other members may know a good place to find stamp guides.

The Internet is a great place to find stamp guides. There are several special collectors sites that sell stamp price guides. As well, there are hundreds of stamp collecting discussion forums on the Internet. These sites will help you find a place to purchase a stamp price guide.

An Essential Tool

An old US postage stamps price guide is an essential tool for any stamp collector. The information found inside this guide can help you learn more about collecting stamps and learn how much your collection is worth. Check out the places discussed above and see if you can find an old US postage stamps price guide so that you can get even more out of your stamp collection today.

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Unleash Your Creative Side With Custom Rubber Stamps

Custom rubber stamps are a craze and are being used for all purposes and not only for official ones. Custom rubber stamps have developed into an art form and are used by those who are not professionals as they are very convenient to handle. You can also find special stamps that are used to decorate an artwork. These custom rubber stamps give you a myriad of variations with the use of dye, pigments and paints.

Very Flexible

You can also use these rubber stamps on your clothes, paper, metal, glass, wood and virtually everything. The icing on the cake is that you can avail ink pads that have been especially made for creating an embossed look. You will never run out of choice for pens used for inking stamp pads with various colors. Using custom rubber stamp designs and with the help of other media such as the computer you can create beautiful pieces of artwork. These artworks can be used as corporate trademarks as well. Custom rubber stamps have become popular with creating of scrapbooks.

Uses of Custom Rubber Stamps

The overwhelming response to custom rubber stamps has taken shape as a favorite pastime and a form of art where you can work with these items on any surface. The stamps which are decorative are known as art stamps and prevalent for craft work done at home. These art stamps not only help you to create beautiful designs but are long lasting as well. You can use the art stamps to decorate your photo albums and make attractive scrapbooks. You can use them on letters, cards, banners and flyers. You can decorate your notebooks and wrapping paper by using these art stamps. You can even use two or more designs simultaneously to adorn your paper.

You can create decorative borders on your clothes with these art stamps by using fabric paint. If you use these paints on your household items like your napkins and tablecloths it gives a personalized look to the object. You can even use the custom rubber stamps to decorate your wooden jewelry box or your metallic trinkets and it also complements your picture frames very well.

The uses of custom rubber stamps will never cease to surprise you as they can be used to decorate your child's room and can also make you a designer by helping you to make designs on your walls and ceilings,

Ensure the Correct Size for a Particular Work

You should choose small sized custom rubber stamps for decorating your clothes, wrapping paper or stationery and go in for the large ones when decorating the ceilings and the walls. You should use either paint pens and brush or the usual stamp pads to apply the paints on the custom rubber stamps and rinse them properly after using it.

Tag : stamps,postage stamps,rubber stamps,picture stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=April_Kerr

Share Your Photos In A Unique Way With Photo Stamps

Photo stamps can be a fun and unique way of sharing your favorite photo with family and friends. You can use photo stamps for just about any occasion and purpose, from letters, postcards, invitations to cards and packages.

Photo stamps come in several different rates from thirty nine cents for first class standard to twenty four cents for postcards and photo stamps. Larger postage rates can be made for packages. Photo stamps cost from about $17.99 for a single sheet of twenty thirty nine cent stamps and many photo stamps sites offer a discount when two or more sheets are purchased at one time.

Many people wonder how the United States Postal Service can tell the difference between a photo stamp and a counterfeit photo stamp. The information based indicia is how the United States Postal Service can tell the difference. The information based indicia is a specially designed two dimensional bar code on the printed photo stamps between the border and photos.

The special designed bar code contains information such as the date of the creation of the photo stamps and the software package serial number. A great deal of research has gone into the information based indicia technology and the end result is that photo stamps are completely reliable and trust worthy.

The size of each photo stamp postage measures 1.9 inches in width and 1.4 inches in height and the actual photo area is 1.1 inches in width and 1.1 inches in height. When creating photo stamps the most important thing is the photo you choose for your stamp so keep in mind the actual size of the final image when choosing your photo. You have two choices when choosing your photo for your photo stamps you can either choose to take the photo with the photo stamp in mind or you can choose a photo that has already been taken.

When taking a photo for your photo stamps the composition of your photo is very important. When setting up the shot for you photo stamp, it is important to choose a setting without a lot of background objects, such as trees and buildings. Next, you want to choose a pose that when shrunk down to the actual photo size of 1.1 inches by 1.1 inches you can still clearly see what or who the photos are of.

When using a person as the object of your photo stamp, it is a good idea to just use a close up of the face. When using multiple people, try for a close up head shot getting all the people included in the photo to lean their heads towards one another. When using an inanimate object for your photo stamp make sure that when shrunk down to the actual image size on the stamp that you can still make out what the object is.

When choosing to use a photo that has already been taken, you want to try to use a editing program to shrink the photo down to 1.1 inches by 1.1 inches to make sure you can still see the photo clearly. When choosing your photo make sure to pick a photo with a clutter free background.

You can choose either a color or black and white photo for you photo stamps, you can also use a custom drawing or design. When choosing a photo for your photo stamps close up shots that was focused and sharp work the best. When using a custom drawing or design the most important thing is to make sure the image will be clear and recognizable when shrunken down.

Tag : stamps,photo stamps,old stamps,postage stamps

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Scrapbook Stamps

Scrapbook stamps have been around for nearly 20 years. Nothing makes your pages or cards more personal than stamping and creating your own. Stamping is even easier now days with the new acrylic stamps that are available. Let me tell you about some of the benefits of using the new acrylic stamp sets and blocks.

Stamps have come along way over the years. We have all used those bulky wooden blocks that took up our whole scrapbook rooms to store. Not to mention that when we stamped with them, it was so final, no fixing out mistakes or adding the little accents with a perfect placement. It was all a guessing game and you just closed your eyes and prayed you "hit your mark". Not anymore, with the new clear acrylic stamps, it has taken scrapbook stamping to a whole new level.

The acrylic stamps are stored in a thin envelope and the clear blocks are stored in there own case. Once you have the blocks, you do not have to keep buying them, they are reusable for all the acrylic stamps. The new and improved scrapbook stamps are lightweight and easy to store and transport anywhere. Not to mention that when using the clear stamps, everyone becomes an expert and most importantly they offer you creative control from project to project. With the clear stamps on the clear block, you will be able to see exactly where you are placing each one which makes it easier to add your accents with matching stamps. You can mix and match stamps sets to create your own creative designs, backgrounds, and boarders.

Using the stamps is easy, simply remove the stamp from the clear carrier sheet and place on the appropriate size block. When using alphabet stamps; simply follow the line guide on the block to create a straight line. This is perfect for titles or journaling. Once you have your stamps on the blocks, pick your color of ink and apply with a downward pressure. You will be able to see the coverage through the block, when it is just right, apply to your paper. Continue the process until you have completed the perfect design.

When you are finished, clean your Stamps off with acrylic cleaner or warm soapy water. When the stamps are clean, return them to the stamp carrier sheet for storage. If by chance they do not stick to the carrier, simply wash with warm soapy water and let them air dry. They will not lose their stickiness.

You will be amazed with these stamps; you will be able to create endless layouts and cards with just one stamp set. And, you will be able to have a bigger variety with all the space you will be saving with the sleek envelopes instead of the bulky wooden blocks. Not to mention that the acrylic are half the price of the wooden blocks!

Close To My Heart offers a complete line of Scrapbooking Stamps and Acrylic Blocks to make your Scrapbooking faster, easier and more enjoyable.

Tag : stamps,scrapbooking,rubber stamps,picture stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcy_Larsen

The Current Facts on Postage Stamps

Postage stamps are the proof that the proper fee has been paid to send a piece of correspondence. If a postage stamp is not present on a piece of mail being sent, the recipient becomes responsible for paying the postage due. If the recipient does not wish to pay the postage due, then the item is returned to the original sender.

Postage stamps can be purchased in a variety of ways. They can be purchased individually, in a book (usually 20) or in a larger roll, if a significant amount is needed. Stamps can be found at the local postal office, in a machine, or at certain locations that provide the service of selling stamps. Keep in mind that most of these remote locations, which are not affiliated with the postal service, tend to charge more per stamp. For example, an establishment that cashes checks and provides other similar services charges 50 cents for a stamp that costs only 39 cents if purchased elsewhere.

Postage stamps have come along way since their initial introduction. No advancement is more appreciated than the birth of the self-sticking stamp. Along with this clever, and much appreciated, advancement, there has also been the change in the look of postage stamps.

Postage stamps come in a variety of sizes and shapes now, and they have all sorts of pictures and themes to them. Depending on the season or current holiday, stamps will have themes that match the current time.

Postage stamps have also been made in honor of certain people and places. Additionally, a neat feature of stamps is that they can be purchased for a particular cause and the difference in the proceeds (which is very slight) will go to the cause the stamps were promoting.

The current price of postage stamps is 39 cents a piece, which is a 2 cents increase over the 37 cents amount. Postage prices continue to rise as the general public uses hard-copy mail less and less, due to advancements in technology that allow most common correspondence to be sent electronically.

As the use of the electronic submission grows, the price of individual postage stamps will most likely increase. If the total volume of mail decreases, the difference must be made up by charging more money to send each piece of mail. The likelihood, at this point, is that postage stamps will continue to increase in price, as time goes on.

Tag : stamps,postage stamps,old stamps,stamps collection

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Making Rubber Stamps With Liquid Polymer

If you are interested in making rubber stamps and have investigated other rubber stamp making methods you should seriously consider polymer stamp production as a serious option.

What are Polymers?

Tiny molecules strung in long repeating chains form polymers. Why the chemistry lesson? Well for one thing, your body is made of them. DNA - the genetic blueprint that defines people and other living things - is a polymer. Proteins and starches in the foods we eat, the wheels on our skateboards, and even the tyres on our bikes and cars are polymers. In fact, we are surrounded by polymers every day, everywhere we go. Polymers also form one of our recyclables, which is good for the environment.

Polymer Curing - How stamps are made with chemistry!

In polymer chemistry and process engineering, curing refers to the toughening or hardening of a polymer material by the cross-linking of polymer chains; this is brought about by chemical additives, ultraviolet radiation or heat. Rubber stamp polymer is supplied as a liquid and is cured using ultraviolet radiation. Although natural sunlight can cure polymer, liquid stamp polymer requires precise exposure to UV light to make rubber stamps.

Polymer Stamps - Make your own stamps without any skills whatsoever!

How many times has this been said in the past! Polymer stamp production has always attracted people trying to make a quick dollar out of the process. We have seen salespeople selling briefcase size polymer stamp machines to the unsuspecting stationery store and newsagent owner plus more recently the DIY kits sold over the internet aimed at craft people. If you are serious about stamp production you should be wary of some of the claims made about stamp making using liquid polymer.

Polymer in a bag

The most exciting development of recent is a new innovation where polymer is injected into a flat rectangular sealed bag; this new product does away with backing sheets, foam tape and coverlay film normally required for stamp production. Processing times are reduced by about 50% when using these new bags; this reduced labour cost negates the extra cost of the bagged product. The bags are available in a range of sizes to suit production demand. Polymer in a bag has also eliminated the problem of air bubbles during processing; this common objection to polymer stamp making has now been overcome.

Where the Polymer Rubber Stamp Industry is Heading

You have two distinct markets for rubber stamps. The first is the traditional business stamp market where stamps are affixed to handles and self inking units. The second market that is growing rapidly is the craft industry; these stamps are affixed to wooden or clear acrylic blocks and used for card making and scrapbooking. Craft stamps such as an artist's range of stamps that follow a theme are traditionally made using the vulcanizing process due to it being more suited to mass production of the same stamp. Nowadays card makers want custom designs and clear see through stamps of which polymer is making some significant inroads into this market.
Another problem has arisen where polymer 'jelly' stamps are being sold to the craft industry, these polymer stamps have no structural backing allowing the polymer stamp to adhere to an acrylic block without adhesives. In theory this works well, the problem is that distortion of the stamp can occur as well as the possibility that the stamp can tear.

Thankfully a new clear silicone based product called InstaGrip has solved this problem so a polymer stamp with a sound structural backing can be adhered in the same way, without adhesive.

So where is the industry heading?

Business stamping seems to be just as strong as it always has been, with the introduction of the bagged polymer many more manufacturers will be offering polymer stamps due to the bag's labour saving benefits and the lower entry cost for polymer processing equipment.

The craft stamp industry will see much more polymer in the future for much the same reasons. The demand for custom made stamps through services such as stampsearch.com.au here you select craft artwork online and then have that image made into a stamp will help the polymer stamp industry develop in a positive manner.

Tag : stamps,rubber stamps,postage stamps,photo stamps

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_De_Rooy

Rubber Stamps - Advice to Help Choose the Right Product For You

Many of you may have used rubber stamps before either while crafting or in the office. Rubber stamps are pieces of rubber that can be carved and molded into an image or pattern. The rubber can be mounted onto a stable block and then the ink is coated onto the design and then pressed onto some sort of fabric or paper so the colored image is transferred.

There are three basic types of stamps. These are listed below;

1) Regular Rubber Stamps

These are the basic kind that are used with a separate ink pad. They are easy to get hold of and cheap to buy. However they may be messy if not used properly. This type is ideal for crafters since you can own a variety of designs to decorate almost anything. However, these stamps are also perfect for office workers. The stamp does not need to be replaced only the inkpad when it runs out, which is another advantage.

2) Self-inking Stamps

These are mechanical stampers with an internal stamp pad attached. The stamp hits the internal inkpad using a swivel action between each use. The advantages of this type of stamp is that they are quick and easy to use making multiple stamping a breeze perfect for anyone working in an office where stamps are used on a regular basis. These are re-inkable and very reasonably priced. However, when the inkpad runs out you will need to buy the whole stamp. Brand names that you may have heard of include Ideal, Trodat, or Cosco.

3) Pre-inked Stamps

This type of stamp has dye impregnated onto the design. These pre-inked stamps can be split into three types. These are polymer gel pre-inks, the latest in technology flash stamps, and the laser engraved vulcanized rubber stamps. These types of stamps are a lot more expensive but are ideal for offices that use the same stamp over and over again, since they are durable and long lasting, cheap to re-ink, and made to the highest quality.

Stamping is considered to be a fantastic hobby where people can collect different designs while others enjoy the designs they can make with the stamps. These decorative stamps can be used on letters, greetings cards, banners, and other similar things to add that personalized touch.

The techniques involved in the art of rubberstamping are varied and you can find whole websites devoted to this subject. In fact there are even clubs that you can join so you can get together with others to make things and share techniques and even their stamps!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicky_Whatmore

Top 10 Benefits to Printing Postage Stamps Online

With postage costs rising and very limited time per day, you'll need to find postage alternatives to shipping your mail and packages without having to spend more time and money than you need to at a post office.

With the leverage of the internet, creating your own global business online is now easier than ever and printing postage stamps online is just as easy. All you need to get started are:

1. A computer
2. Internet connection
3. Printer
4. Adhesive printer paper

Now you can print postage stamps instantly from your home without ever having to stand in long lines at the Post Office again.

Go to www.Print-Stamps-Online.com to find out how you can get started with a 4-week risk free trial and also be eligible for an $80 Special Offer which includes: Up to $25 in free postage, a $50 5lb digital scale and $5 in shipping supplies.

Here are the top 10 benefits to printing stamps online with Print-Stamps-Online.com.

1. No More Long Lines and Wait Time at the Post Office
Printing stamps online gives you the ability to print stamps anytime by leveraging the power of the internet. All you need is a computer with an internet connection and a printer and you can begin printing your own custom shipping labels and postage stamps.

2. Save Money with Postage Discounts you can't get Even at the Post Office
Some of the savings that you will see with Stamps.com include: 10% discount off shipping insurance, free Delivery Confirmation, 5%-8% off USPS retail rates, 3% off Express Mail and up to 11% off Priority Mail. With FedEx, save up to 15% on Ground rates and an additional 21% on Express rates.

3. Save up to 80% Compared to Postage Meters
Postage Meters have all sorts of hidden fees that can really cost you. At Print-Stamps-Online.com, there are no hidden fees, no special ink cartridges, no scale rental fees, no reset fees, no annual price increases and absolutely no charges for printing custom logos.

4. Choose from all USPS Services and FedEx Shipping
Choose from all USPS services including First Class, Priority Mail and Express Mail. Also print postage stamps via FedEx Ground and Express and receive even more savings.

5. Easily Manage your Postage Costs and Track your Packages
Managing your postage costs has never been easier and now you can easily keep track of your mailed packages through detailed reports of each postage stamp and shipping label you print.

6. Print Exact Postage Every Time
Get a free digital scale that integrates seamlessly into our exclusive software when you get started with www.Print-Stamps-Online.com. Now you never have to worry about underpaying or overpaying postage again so you print exactly postage every time.

7. Schedule Free Delivery Pick-ups from a Mail Carrier
We all know that you would rather spend your time with other tasks that require your attention instead of waiting in long lines at the Post Office. Schedule a free USPS pick up from a mail carrier to deliver your mail for you!

8. Design Your Own Logos to Use With Your Postage Stamps
Customize your very own personal logos as your postage stamps or put your company logo to look more professional.

9. $80 Free Value with Stamps.com
New customers receive an $80 free value which includes up to $25 in free postage, a $50 5lb digital scale, and $5 in shipping supplies.

10. 4 Week Risk Free Trial
If you are still unsure of whether Print-Stamps-Online.com is for you, then try a 4 week risk free trial.

Say goodbye to long lines at the Post Office and buy your stamps online.

Begin saving time and money by printing your postage stamps online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hann_Wang

Benefits of Studying Stamps Before Purchasing Them

Philately is basically the study of stamps, but a philatelist does not have to collect the stamps they study nor do they have to research the stamps they collect. However, collecting is not the same as philately due to the casual collector enjoys accumulating their stamps without having to worry about the tiny details within a stamp.

Usually, a collectors collection of stamps will tend to be a large collection with the need of philatelic knowledge. Stamp collecting has become a time honored hobby that is enjoyed by collectors all over the world for centuries. The hobby of collecting stamps is an excellent way for individuals to spend their free time and does not have to cost a fortune.

Stamp prices can range from fifteen cents to over half a million dollars. The important thing to remember when starting a collection is to begin slow and learn as much as you can about each type of stamps available. There are various places where any collector can purchase stamps for their collection from, but regardless of where you purchase them from it is vital to know the basics of how to care and store your collection.

Any collector needs a specialized album that is designed for storing your collection of stamps, stamp tongs with a rounded tip for handling your stamps, and a magnifying glass that has the ability to magnify at least ten times for inspecting the details on a stamp. Any magnifying glass with the ability to magnify more than ten times may cause the images to look distorted and is not recommended. Other supplies that a collector may need are glassine envelopes to store or transport individual stamps, a watermark detector to search for hidden watermarks, and a catalog of stamps for identifying various types of stamps. Special pages for your album can be purchased that will reflect the types of stamps you are adding to your collection. Supplies can be purchased at almost business that sells collectible stamps.

The type of stamps a collector decides to collect will depend greatly on the personal preferences of the collector. If you are unsure what types of stamps you would like to focus your collection on, then it may be a good idea to look a variety of stamps in magazines, books, and catalogs. No matter what type of stamps a collector does decide to collect, they will be treasured for their historic value and their beauty.

Theme collections can limit your collection to a particular subject, so it may be important to have a generalized topic. When beginning your collection it may be helpful to purchase a large quantity of used stamps for a reputable dealer, which normally does not cost a whole lot. Often times this proves to all the collector to receive a number of stamps that will cover a variety of topics, plus will allow the new collect a chance to learn how sort stamps based upon countries, landmarks, animals, etc.

Understanding cultures and events within a variety of countries throughout the world enables collectors to gain a higher knowledge of the stamps they add to their collection. Stamp clubs will aid by opening doors for any collector in meeting other collectors to exchanges information surrounding the hobby of stamps. This also gives the collector a chance to exchange stamps with other collectors to create a more interactive hobby.

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Tips For Adding Stamps to Your Collection

Collecting stamps has become a world wide hobby does not need a huge amount of financial backing to begin. In fact, all that is needed is hard work to collect stamps that are inexpensive, but your efforts will be rewarded with a collection that shows your own personality.

The best place to start your own collection is from your own incoming mail and you may be surprised at the variety of stamps you will be able to locate in this way, which do not cost you a thing. Let your friends and relatives know about your decision to start a stamp collection, which will produce even more stamps for your collection that do not cost your a single penny.

Let your neighbors also know about your collection, so that they can tell their own friends and family members to start saving stamps. In no time at all, you could have a huge collection of stamps. By asking your friends, neighbors, and family members to save their empty envelopes you may have letter coming in from all over the country in no time. Now you have developed a kind of lookout support team to help you in your pursuit of stamps.

Another way to collect easily is you or someone you know works in an office, because you can have them save the empty envelopes for you also. Sometimes office mail is scanned and the best stamps are sent from a variety of locations to that work place. Your parents, friends, relatives, and neighbors will be happy to check at their offices for incoming mail. Your stamp support team may also have old letters that are still in their envelopes, and all collectors known that older stamps are better and are more unique.

To remove stamps from their envelopes carefully soak the stamps on the envelopes in water, which will make it easy to remove the stamps. This way adhesive will be lost and then the stamp can be separated from the envelope. Next dry the stamps carefully by minimizing any possible damage that can be caused by them being torn.

Getting help from other collectors is another valuable way to increase your knowledge about this wonderful hobby. Collectors gather together for swap meets to exchange any duplicate stamps that they may have with other collectors. Some times clubs will present stamps as prizes or even make them available cheaper for club members. Another way to meet other collectors is by joining a stamp club if there is one in your local neighborhood. If there is not a stamp club in your area, then start your own club with stamp enthusiasts in your own neighborhood that can meet every weekend or every other weekend to exchange ideas and information on the latest stamps available.

Pen pals are another source for collecting stamps, because letters would have stamps for their own area. Although you both may be from the same country does not mean that your stamps will be the same. Perhaps, your pen pal will start collecting stamps their selves and you can swap stamp through the mail! Collectors can even purchase stamps directly through the mail by ordering them through a variety of magazines and newspapers, but be cautious when purchasing these items by paying close attention to their return policy.

Hopefully, these tips will provide you with great ways for starting your stamp collection. The main purpose is to create a collection by learning about each stamp as you add it to your collection by saving money and having great time while collecting them.

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Rubber Stamps Still Save Time

Rubber Stamps are still used daily in businesses (such as businesses offering Notary services, that use Notary Stamps), homes and classrooms. Rubber stamps are a great way to save time and to get a job completed quickly and easily. Rubber stamps can be purchased in self-inked, pre-inked or they can be used with an ink pad (Inked Stamp).

Pre-inked rubber stamps come in oil based ink, foam die, and industrial ink. Self-inked stamps are often quieter and more consistent than a traditional rubber stamp and ink pad. Inks can come in a variety of colors on any type of rubber stamp. Here are some great ways to use rubber stamps at home, in the classroom and in the office.

Rubber stamps can be used to date paperwork. A great way to organize incoming mail is to open the mail when it arrives and discard unnecessary advertisements or offers and stamp the other mail with the date that it arrived. This will help the bill payer know which bills should be addressed first and it will also help them keep tract of what is arriving in the mail on a daily basis. Another great reason to stamp the mail upon arrival is so that if a discrepancy arises a call can be made and an informed conversation can take place including when the bill arrived.

Rubber stamps are used in many successful classrooms daily. Custom stamps can be created to say from the desk of and include the teachers name and school. Stamps can be created to say sign and return. A rubber stamp with the date can also be used in the classroom. Students must have their homework stamped with the date that they turned in their homework assignment. This will save the teacher the time of having to log each assignment that is turned in late. The teacher can simply look at the date stamped on the assignment to determine if points need to be removed or if a note needs to be sent home to the parent. These papers can then be held until the parent teacher night so that the parent can see the amount of papers that have been turned in tardy.

There are many standard rubber stamps available to choose from. If you can not find the stamp that you are looking for than rubber stamps can created to suite whatever need you may have at home, in business or in the classroom. Excellent quality rubber stamps will last for years and are a handy office, home or classroom tool.

By: Raul Hernandez

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Clear Stamps and Scrapbooking - Clearly a Winning Combination

The unique qualities of clear acrylic stamps make them a perfect choice for scrapbooking. Stamping on scrapbook pages has always been a challenge. Placing the stamp and avoiding excess ink are a few of the concerns that keep most scrapbookers from trying stamping techniques on their page layouts, but now with the availability of clear acrylic stamps, anyone can get fantastic results from stamps on their scrapbooking pages.

Clear acrylic stamps, also called polymer stamps, are different from traditional wood block or foam-backed rubber stamps. They are more economical because they are not pre-mounted. Clear stamps are naturally tacky and stick to an acrylic block. They are easily removed allowing you to reuse the block again and again. You simply purchase unmounted clear stamps from any manufacturer, and these work with any clear acrylic mount. Buy a larger mount first that can be used with both small and large stamps. These stamps are also much easier to store, and because they are acrylic, they are lightweight and easy to transport to scrapbooking crops or classes.

Using clear stamps with scrapbooking couldn't be easier. Choose from words, designs and image clear stamps, and peel and stick them to an acrylic block. Now you're ready to start stamping. Because the block and stamp are transparent, you can see exactly where you want to place the imprint. No more misaligned prints! You will have precise placement every time and no more guesswork or stamping mistakes.

Another unique feature of clear acrylic stamps is the ability to mix and match them. With wood and rubber stamps you have to realign your stamps to use more than one stamp together. It takes at least 2 stamping imprints to achieve the same results with one acrylic block. While you can use your clear art stamps individually, the ability to peel and stick to a large acrylic block makes it easy to stamp entire phrases or scenes with one stamp. Just choose your stamps and arrange them all on one clear mount. They can even be from different stamp manufacturers. It's even possible to cut portions of one stamp apart and arrange them in a different pattern for stamping or use only a part of the stamp. Clear art stamps offer much more versatility and functionality than rubber stamps.

Because new stamps tend to resist ink, many scrapbookers recommend conditioning your clear stamps before you use them the first time. Some use a fine grit sandpaper and others prefer a pink eraser. Simply, scuff the surface of a brand new stamp. This will help it to hold ink more effectively. After stamping with ink, clean it with mild soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Avoid oil-based cleaners, acetone and bleach because these can damage and break down your stamp. Some scrapbookers have difficulty getting a crisp image from clear polymer stamps. To improve the quality of the ink impression, try using a cushioned-surface under your scrapbooking paper. A soft mouse pad works well for this purpose. Using this cushioning effect may take a bit of practice, but the results will be worth it.

Be sure to store your clear stamps in a dark place away from sunlight or indoor lighting. Light can discolor and harden them prematurely. Some inks can stain them, but this won't affect their use. Because they are polymer based, one downside is that they do not last as long as rubber stamps will, but with proper care and storage, you will get years of scrapbooking with quality images from your clear stamps.

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Understanding Rare Stamp Collecting Classifications

Stamps are classified into four separate types. They are Stamp Types, Purpose, Formats and Condition.

Stamp Types generally means the difference between a definitive stamp and a commemorative stamp. A definitive stamp most always showed a portrait of some famous person at present time or in history, although recently these have expanded to include the U.S. flag or the White House. Typically these stamps are relatively small and ordinary looking. They can be purchased at different denominations to pay for the different types of postal mail. These usually get printed in large numbers and remain in effect until the postal rates changes.

Commemorative stamps are larger than the definitive's and are printed in much smaller numbers. They're usually sold for the standard first class postage rate. The pictures usually show images of historical events. Once these stamps run out, they usually are not printed again. In recent years there has been another stamp type called the Special. A good example of these stamps would be the Christmas stamps that are printed out for the holidays. These are larger, decorative stamps that are sold at the standard postal rate for a certain time period until the supply runs out.

Purpose shows what the stamp is for. Most stamps are classified as regular stamps because they are used on your every day basic mail. However, immediately after the postage stamp was distributed came along other stamps showing different purposes. Some show postage due for the mail that had insufficient monies applied to the postage. Other stamps were created to show classified mail, airmail and a variety of other special services.

Stamps are issued in a variety of ways. Format is another classification term used to show how these stamps were originally issued. Whether it was as a sheet, booklet, coil or panes.

Condition of a stamp is very important to many collectors. Mint condition is one that has never been used and is still in the same condition as when it was issued. If one has been in a collection held in an album with a hinge then it is considered an unused one. The reason for the difference is that the one that was in an album has had its "gum" disturbed. One that has been sent through the postal system and been stamped is considered used.

Other classification types are whether they are perforated, what kind of printing is used and whether a watermark was used.

By understanding the different classifications, one can begin their collection based on certain criteria. Many collectors have a certain theme to their collections. There have been billions of stamps that have been issued over the years that it would be literally impossible to have a complete collection. Many people choose a certain topical theme or perhaps stamps from a certain country only. Whatever you decide to create your theme around, it'll be interesting and fun for you to study.

STAMP COLLECTING TIPS

Now that you've decided what type of stamps you want to collect, here are some tips on the best way to keep these stamps in good condition. You may end up with one that is worth a lot of money someday and you'll want it to be in the best possible condition.

• When looking for a stamp album, look for one that has blank, acid-free pages. Don't go for anything that has flimsy pages for these will not be sturdy enough to house your stamps safely. Make sure you have stamp hinges or mounts that are designed for housing stamps. Using glue or tape will damage your stamps.
  

• Do not try to tear or peel a stamp off of an envelope. Cut them carefully from the envelope without touching the perforated edges, this damages the stamp. Once the stamp has been cut off, float it in a small bowl filled with cool water. This dissolves the glue to a point where the paper from the envelope will come off easily. (Be careful with those stamps that have been heavily inked with cancellation stamps or strange looking ink that could potentially damage other stamps.) Rinse the remaining glue with fresh water and spread out to dry. If necessary place them in a book after drying to straighten them out. Always handle them with tongs.
• Think about your collection theme and sort the stamps according to your theme. Whether it's by a topical or country theme or stamp types, it's good to have some kind of order to them. Remove any damaged stamps as the value is most likely not that great. The only time you want to hang on to something that's damaged would be if you had something that was extremely rare or valuable. If you have duplicates then display the best one you have of the set and use the other for trading with other stamp collectors. Sorting is an ongoing process as you pick up more and more stamps.
• Another extremely important thing to think about is having tongs. Seems like such a simple thing, doesn't it. People think they can handle just as well with their fingers but they don't think about how much oil we have on our skin. These oils transfer to the stamps and can damage them in the long run. Tongs are the best way to handle stamps. One may need to practice handling tongs before attempting to pick up stamps with them as some of them, if not handled correctly, could tear or poke holes through the stamps.
  

Once you've made the decision to collect stamps and you've obtained all the essential tools for collecting, you'll probably find getting more and more curious about the history behind some of these stamps. There are thousands of books, literature and papers written on the subject. Many of them explain how and why some of these stamps became so valuable or interesting over the years. Most stamp collectors become so for a lifetime. There are so many different types of stamp collections that one could collect for years and never find themselves getting bored.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for WindPurifier.com, RareStamp.com, and BeeYourself.Com

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Philatelic Museum Bangkok - The History Of Thai Postage Stamps

Philatelic Museum Bangkok records the Thai stamp and postal history from the mid 1800s - the present day, with stamps honoring the reigning monarch of the day and marking significant events in Thai history.

The museum was first established in 1947 when the postal services were under the Post and Telegraph Department. After reorganization of the civil service and several relocations, the Philatelic Museum, currently under Thailand Post Company Ltd, finally found its permanent home in Sam Sen Nai Post Office next to the Saphan Kwai skytrain station on 15 December 2004.

Stamps often tell the story of the history and culture of a society. The Thai stamps in the Philatelic Museum Bangkok have their stories to tell too.

The Thai postal history - the early days

Our story begins in the reign of King Rama IV (1851 - 1868). In those days, before the existence of a postal service in Thailand, people sent letters through messengers or friends who were traveling within or out of the country.

With the signing of the Bowring Treaty in 1855, Thailand opened up for foreign trade. The presence of foreign businesses and consulates in Bangkok necessitated a postal service. This was setup in 1867 by the British Postal Service and run by the British consulate in Bangkok purely for communications between consulates.

As Thailand had no stamps of her own then, she used stamps of British India which were also used in the Straits Settlements, Malacca, Penang and Singapore. Stamps for use in Bangkok were marked with a capital "B". The mail was routed through Singapore and had a Singapore postmark.

In 1875, during the reign of King Rama V (1868 - 1910), Prince Bhanurangsri Sawangwongse, younger brother of the king, published a newspaper "Court" for royalty and high officials. A local stamp was affixed for delivery services. This laid the groundwork for the Thai postal service in the future.

Philatelic Museum - the advent of the postal service

In 1880 some members of the government felt a pressing need for a postal service for the general public and petitioned King Rama V. The king agreed. Fittingly Prince Bhanurangsri was tasked to do this and was appointed the first Director General of the Post Department. The first post office was built in Charoen Krung Road by the Chao Phraya River near the mouth of the Ong-Ang canal.

Thai stamp history - the first stamp issue

With the establishment of the domestic postal service, Thailand issued her first postage stamp on 4 August 1883; 43 years after "Penny Black" the world's first prepaid adhesive postage stamps appeared in England.

The first set of stamps had the portrait of King Rama V, was designed by William Ridgeway and printed by the Waterlow Printing Company of England. The stamps bore no country name and were only for domestic use. The Thais had their own nickname for these stamps, "Solot", after the price of the stamp in the old currency.

Originally stamp denominations were in solot, att, sio, salung, the old Thai currency units. When the currency was changed to baht and satang, new stamps were issued.

On 1 July 1885, Thailand joined the Universal Postal Union, which coordinates the international postal system. In line with international convention, the country name and price in Arabic and Thai numerals were printed on the Thai stamps.

Subsequent commemorative issues in the Philatelic Museum

On 11 November 1908, Thailand celebrated the 40th anniversary of the reign of King Rama V, the longest reigning Thai monarch then, with a new set of postage stamps.

In the reign of King Rama VII (1925 - 1935), special stamps marked 150 years under the reign of the Chakri Kings. The stamp had portraits of King Rama I (1782) and King Rama VII (1932). What was the significance of this 150 year anniversary?

An astrologer had predicted earlier that the Chakri dynasty would come to an end after 150 years. On 1 April 1932, the 150th anniversary of the dynasty, there was a big celebration to prove soothsayer wrong. Though the prediction wasn't completely right, two months later, the absolute monarchy was overthrown in a coup on 24 June 1932.

In the reign of King Rama VIII (1935 - 1946), a special set of stamps were issued in 1943 featuring the Monument to the Expeditionary Force. These stamps weren't meant to commemorate the Thai military effort during World War I. Furthermore, the stamps were priced in "cents".

Called "Four States", these stamps were meant for use in the four Malay states of Kelantan, Perlis, Sara Buri (the state of Kedah today) and Trengganu. These states, which were ceded to Britain in the reign of King Rama V, came temporarily under Thai rule during World War II when Thailand declared war on Britain and the USA.

The story of the stamps in the Philatelic Museum continues into the reign of King Rama IX, the present king. There were several memorable occasions when commemorative stamps were issued.

When the Benjarong (Thai pottery in five primary colors) issue won second prize at the International Stamp Competition in Vienna, Austria in 1981, these stamps secured a place in the Philatelic Museum.

The commemorative issue celebrating the Bangkok Bicentenary (1782 - 1982) provides the centerpiece of the Philatelic Museum. These set of stamps had the nine Chakri kings, Rama I to Rama IX in denominations from 1 baht - 9 baht.

In 1999, Thailand celebrated the 72nd (the 6th cycle) birthday of HM the King with another set of stamps. Firm believers in astrology and the 12 zodiac signs, Thais consider anniversaries in multiples of 12 particularly 60, 72 extremely auspicious.

Besides the displays of prominent issues, the Philatelic Museum preserves hundreds of the old stamps and envelopes in frames filed in chronological order. I was surprised to see old envelopes used by early Chinese immigrants in Bangkok to remit money to China.

There's also a comfortable library well stocked with books, collectors' journals and stamp bulletins and a souvenir shop.

Since 1883, the Thai postal service has made more than 720 stamp issues. The Philatelic Museum Bangkok preserves this postal and stamp history of Thailand and the significant events related to these issues.

Photos of the stamp collection can be viewed at the Philatelic Museum, one of the old treasures discovered in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok. For other Bangkok Museums.

The author Eric Lim lives in Bangkok Thailand and writes for this do-it-yourself historical travel guide for independent travelers.

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Photo Postage Stamps - Great Innovations in Stamps

Photo postage stamps aren't such a new idea; its been around for years! The USPS (United States Postal Service) briefly suspended the use of such a stamp due to security concerns. There are certainly a number of reasons that the USPS would want to abolish all photo stamps, for example in the height of the anthrax scares a stamp with a scull and cross bones plus the word Anthrax caused a sorting office to shut down for several hours. Although custom photo stamps are legitimate, perhaps getting rid of them would put people off trying to get away with counterfeit postage stamps!

The USPS decided that it would allow another phase of a pilot program allowing companies to sell their customers photo postage stamps. The first stage of the trial was a huge success; however the USPS wants to make sure that these custom postage stamps aren't just a fad.

What is a photo postage stamp?

Photo postage stamps allow people to put a photo of pretty much whatever they want to on their stamp. There are however exceptions, you cannot for example put pornographic or disturbing images onto your photo stamp.

Photo stamps are useful for:

-Weddings

-Births

-Anniversaries

-Business Logos

-Any Special Occasion

Internet pranksters - screening photo stamps for validity

Being able to put an image of anything you want onto your stamps is very exciting for most people; however some internet pranksters just take things too far. Some people have tried to order stamps with people like Slobodan Milosevic on them, as these could cause public outrage its important for the organizations that are permitted to produce photo postal stamps to have proper screening processes in place.

Along with controversial figures, the other things that must not be allowed on postage stamps are pornographic images, and also certain religious symbols. Copyright is a tricky subject; technically you should only use material on a stamp that you own the rights to, or have permission to use. Other than this and advertising, the images can be of pretty much anything.

The company that supplies the postage stamps are personally responsible for screening, this is nothing to do with the USPS. The vendors themselves should reject the images that break the strict rules set down by the USPS. The USPS is able to find out which company generated the stamp by looking at the information encoded in the stamps barcode, therefore any company not screening images properly could find themselves losing the rights to print postage.

Where can I get my photo postage stamps?

There are three main custom stamp vendors in America , Stamps.com, which has been a key contender ever since the postal services first trial. Endica are also permitted to produce stamps. Pitney Bowes the popular franking machine manufacturer has realized that photo stamps trespass into their industry, and so they are grabbing hold of this opportunity with both hands and refusing to let go!

Photo stamps are a worldwide phenomenon!

Photo postal stamps arent just popular in America , theyre popular worldwide! England has one of the oldest postal services in the world, but even so the Royal Mail is adopting online photo postage stamps. Currently in England you can only buy the stamps directly from the Royal Mail (the equivalent of the USPS), but only time will tell as to when they will adopt the same personalization.

Visit Discount Online Stamps to view the latest articles and cash back rebates on all photo stampsonline postage stamps and

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Making Rubber Stamps: Learn How To Make Your Own Art Craft Rubber Stamps For Stamping Up Paper Craft

Making stamps at home does not mean producing amateur stamps suitable just for kids' stamping. With a little information and the right rubber stamp making supply, manufacturing rubber stamps is fun and easy!

Classifying Rubber Stamps

For starters, rubber stamps are classified into two categories: business rubber stamps and art rubber stamps or craft stamps.

Business stamps are hand stamps, self inking stamps (pre inked) or dating stamps; the text of which makes them personalized rubber stamps. When using a hand stamp you must stamp it up and down on a stamp pad to load the stamp with ink before making your impression.

Art and craft rubber stamps are a lot more interesting as graphics such as hand drawn artwork, craft clipart along with alphabets and photographs can be used. Used in creating scrapbooks and greeting cards these custom stamps can also be used with embossing powder or ink for embossed rubber stamping. If you have ever tried to locate a Chinese character rubber stamp, you will know they are hard to find, so why not make your own? Stamp art has no limits - all your stamp ideas can be realized once you start making stamps at home so start gathering your rubber stamping ideas!

You will never again need to buy from a Rubber Stamp Manufacturer!

The fantastic thing about making your own stamps is that you will save money and do away with buying stamps from a rubber stamp maker or rubber stamp company. You can get all your rubber stamp making supplies or a rubber stamp kit and make your own personalized stamps, photo stamps, signature stamps and craft stamps within the comfort of your home.

Different Methods of Rubber Stamp Manufacturing

Does it sound impossible? Well it isn't. In fact making rubber stamps can become addictive once you grasp the basics. You must have an understanding of how different methods of rubber stamp manufacturing is carried out, then you can start searching for the relevant rubber stamp supply to start creating your rubber stamping ideas!

• Hand carved - Creating a carved stamp is still practiced in some countries. A simple example of a carved hand stamp is carving on erasers but this is beyond the skill level of most of us and is very time consuming.
• Vulcanizing - You may be familiar with magenta rubber stamps that utilize self cling foam similar to EZMount for sticking to acrylic blocks. These are vulcanized rubber stamps like the ones you buy from Stampin Up. Vulcanized stamps require a matrix mold to be produced for each new design making it an expensive process for small quantities of a single design. The vulcanizing heat press is also quite an expensive stamping machine for home use.
• Laser - Sounds hi-tech and so will your bills be! You can also make your own rubber stamps using a laser engraving machine, however, expenditure is high including its maintenance and operating costs, which are much higher than the vulcanizing process. Lasers are usually used for business style stamps where a custom rubber stamp is required.
• Flash technology - This relatively new stamping technology is not too expensive but the finished stamp has only a single colour, similar to the self inking stamp. This means it's unsuitable for your creative craft stamps. Flash Stamp technology employs a technique where ink flows through a membrane after exposure to a light source. The sections of the membrane containing the artwork remain open from which the ink flows.
• Polymer stamp making - Using a liquid polymer, artwork and a UV light source polymer is the clear choice for making custom rubber stamps at home with its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. You will only need a computer, laser printer and a UV exposure unit and of course the correct polymer for stamp making.

Stamping up with Polymer Rubber

Among the various ways for manufacturing rubber stamps, the polymer stamp making technique is the winner of all available stamp making methods for rubber stamp makers at home. Manufacturing polymer stamps will allow you to get professional quality custom rubber stamps at the lowest price possible!

It might surprise you that polymer stamp making is now the most common method of manufacturing stamps commercially today. The majority of business ink stamps, self inking personalized stamps and increasingly so craft stamps are now more often polymer stamps. Polymer stamps are also known as acrylic polymer, clear stamps, clear rubber stamps and rubber plastic stamps. Interestingly, polymer stamps contain no rubber at all and are still called rubber stamps!

Stamp Making Rules

Before you launch into making your own polymer rubber stamps, you must keep in mind three important factors about polymers. Pay attention to these and you can be assured of a high quality rubber stamp.

• Platemaking Polymers - Used extensively in the printing industry not all photopolymer plates will produce rubber stamps. To make a stamping die a polymer with the durometer reading of 40 is ideal; this is the hardness scale of the cured polymer. InstaPlate is just such a kind of polymer designed to make rubber stamp dies and best suited for home use. It is available as a photopolymer gel in a sachet (commonly known as ‘polymer in a bag'). With InstaPlate, you can be assured of a good quality polymer so request it when you investigate your stamp making supply.

• Polymer Solidification - Some stamp making kits employ other types of polymers that solidify under natural light or a single light bulb. This is not recommended as polymers that solidify under a specific UVA light range are always better. All professional stamp makers use polymers like InstaPlate as it allows control of the UVA light at a specific wavelength to make stamps. So invest in a quality UV exposure unit along with a commercial grade polymer such as InstaPlate to create stamps like the professionals do, this is especially important if you are interested in producing wholesale rubber stamps at home for resale.

• Strength of your Rubber Stamp - We often come across polymer stamps with no structural backing allowing the stamp to naturally stick to a mounting block. While these seem great, they are susceptible to tearing, dirtying and distortion. A strong permanent backing avoids these problems and is becoming very popular now that we have products such as EZMount and InstaGrip. InstaGrip is a new method of affixing rubber stamps to acrylic blocks and is a repositionable mounting system designed for mounting stamps onto acrylic. InstaGrip is basically a clear thin silicone repositional mat that sticks both to the stamp backing and the acrylic block. Since it's transparent, it will allow you to see through the stamp and the block to place your impression, making your stamping process easier than ever before.

The Light Source

You don't need to spend a fortune on a light source for making stamps at home. Commercial stamp machines have built in timers that control the exposure of the polymer and are quite expensive. A better alternative for home stamp making is a smaller craft stamp maker that utilizes an external portable countdown timer. The UVA light output from one of these units will produce the same quality stamp as the larger commercial stamp making systems.

Robert de Rooy has been involved with the stamp making industry for over 12 years and provides technical assistance to stamp makers. He operates two websites about stamp making, one for craft stamp making at home http://www.makingstamps.com.au and another for commercial stamp making http://www.instastamp.com.au

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6 Quick Steps to Stamp Collecting

You get your mail, riffle through, then suddenly you spot that colorful postage stamp and you think, "I should be collecting them."

Or, you're probably awed over that huge collection of stamps featured at the nearby museum. You look at it and say, "That looks like an interesting hobby."

Well then, welcome to the world of postage stamp collecting.

First things first. To start any activity, you have to have your materials and tools. In stamp collecting you'll need:

- Your stamps

- Stamp album or stock book

- A magnifying glass

- A glass vessel, usually 8" by 10" or 10" by 12" in size, to soak your stamps in

- Lots of plain, white, paper towels

- A stamp drying book

- A thermometer

- Heavy books

These can be found at your local post office, DIY store and the internet. You might also want to buy a watermark detector, but if you're just starting out, it isn't really necessary yet.

Now on to the steps:

1. Get

If you're starting from zero, the best way to go is to buy local postage stamps first. A packet of 500 or 1000 assorted worldwide stamps are usually available at your nearest post office. This goes for at least $3 to $6.

Still isn't too varied for you, you could try to buy from dealers who sell "kiloware". Kiloware are stamps on-paper sold by weight (by the pound) for a specific amount. You could also try going to stamp shows where they sell stamps, by the bucket! See http://www.stamps.org for a calendar of the shows.

Now, you can get try getting stamps for free! Here are some quick tips on how to. This will definitely make your stamp hunting more interesting and worthwhile:

- Inform everybody you know that you're collecting stamps. Chances are they'd pull out all that old letters they kept and start giving them to you. Don't forget to say thank you.

- Have relatives in foreign countries? Ask them to send you some (or a lot) of postage stamps available in that country. If that doesn't work, try asking them to send you letters instead.
- Know of anyone who's going on a business trip abroad? A vacation in Asia? Going up north? Ask them to send you post cards form wherever they are. Not only do you get the stamps, you also get to keep track of how they are.

- Get to know your neighbors. Chances are one of them is working in a big company or institution wherein loads of letters pour in everyday. And if you're really lucky, said neighbor might actually be the one in charge of opening all those letters. You get the drift?

- The next time you visit the post office, keep an open eye for stray envelopes that recent visitors have carelessly tossed aside. Many people read and discard their letters at the post office.

- Make friends with fellow collectors. Trading and swapping not only increases your collection, it also allows you to get acquaintances and friends.

- Get your grandma or grandpa to let you see their old letters. There is a high chance that you'll get rare and old stamps that you won't see anywhere ever again.

2. Sort

Have you stamps in one huge box? Now's the time to sort them all out. Sorting is necessary to facilitate the storing process. Most of the stamps you have are on paper because they are cut out from mailing envelopes. You need to sort them out into:

- stamps with white background paper

- stamps with colored background paper

- stamps with rubber stamp ink (especially those in red and purple)

- stamps without rubber stamp ink

3. Trim

Leave about 1-2 cm safety margin when you trim your stamps. Also, try not to cut the perforations, as it will decrease the value of your stamp.

4. Soak

Never try peeling a stamp off the paper, even if it's loose. Peeling like this is a surefire way to ruin your stamp. The way to do it is to soak it in water.

First, fill up your vessel to about half. The water temperature should be around 30-35°C. Water that's too warm or hot will increase the chances of color running. Soak your stamps by batches, around 8 or 10, for around 15 minutes.

Remember: NEVER soak a stamp with white background paper and a stamp with a colored one at the same time. Stamps with a colored background paper and those with rubber stamp inks usually stain the water and might damage your white stamps. This is why you need to sort them all out before starting.

They way to go with these problematic stamps is to soak them individually. Yes, it could be time consuming and tiring but in the end, you'll get great stamps.

After 15 minutes, pick up a stamp with your fingers and try to peel it off the backing. If there is even the slightest of resistance, drop it back into the water and wait for another 10 minutes or so.

5. Dry

After peeling, lay your stamps face up into a waiting paper towel. Put another sheet on top and gently blot the excess moisture. Be extra careful since wet stamps are very fragile.

Afterwards, line them up in the plastic page of your stamp album. Place the blotter sheet atop them, close the book and press. It'd help if you put heavy books on top of the drying book to ensure nice, flat stamps. They should be sufficiently dry after 4-5 hours.

6. Store

If you want to be able to move them around and shuffle them, you' be better off with a stock album. A stock album has plastics sleeves wherein you can keep the stamps and their duplicates.

But if you want to store them for good, you can mount them in a stamp album. It'd be a permanent home for your beloved collection.

Lee Dobbins has been an antique and collectibles enthusiast as well as dealer for 20 years. Visit http://collecting.leisure-webzone.com/ where you can learn more about collecting for fun and profit.

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