| Item # | Stamp Body | Type | Imprint Size | Body Style | Art Quality | Ease of Use | Price | Click to Buy | Comments |
| 112 | UM10 | Pre-Inked | 2-3/8 x 7/8 | Regular Rectangle | Best | Good | $21.50 | Good handle shaepe. | |
| 116 | UM45R/XL535 | Pre-Inked | 1.75 diameter | Regular Round | Better | Fair | $27.00 | Round Stamp | |
| 117 | SlimStamp 2264 | Pre-Inked | 2-3/8 x 7/8 | Travel | Better | Better | $21.50 | Full impression, travel size | |
| 133 | 4914 | Self-Inked | Regular | Good | Best | $18.50 | Easy to use, included in all packages | ||
| 134 | 400R | Self-Inked | 1.6 inch dia. | Regular Round | Good | Best | $23.00 | Round stamp | |
| 163 | 5205 | Self-Inked | Heavy | Good | Best | $42.00 | Large, heavy, impressive. Pad lockable. | ||
| 223 | SuperSlim 2564 | Pre-Inked | 2-1/16 x 5/8 | Travel | Better | Good | $20.50 | Included in signing agent kit. Fits in medium case. | |
| 224 | SuperSlim 2054 | Pre-Inked | 1-7/8 x 9/16 | Travel | Better | Good | $20.50 | Smallest stamp. Included in Basic Package Plus. Fits in small case. | |
| 225 | PSI 1854 | Pre-Inked | 2-1/16 x 5/8 | Regular | Better | Better | $21.50 | Standard stamp with small impression. | |
| 226 | SlimStamp 1854 | Pre-Inked | 2-1/16 x 5/8 | Travel | Better | Better | $20.50 | Good combination of features. Good second stamp for travel. | |
| 227 | PSI 2264 | Pre-Inked | 2-1/16 x 5/8 | Regular | Best | Better | $21.50 | High quality art. Easy to use. | |
| 228 | UM-5 | Pre-Inked | 1-7/8 x 5/8 | Regular | Better | Better | $21.50 | Small impression in a handle stamp. |
GO TO THE NOTARY STORE
Notes from the Editor:
After supplying notary packages for close to a decade and having almost four decades of notary
experience, I felt that I could help those of you who are unsure about the different stamps make a
decision.
First, a little about my experience. I average a little over a thousand notaries a year. Although I used
to do loan signings, all my notary customers now come to me and I notarize the documents on my
premises. However, when I did do loan signings, I did close to a thousand over a multi-year period
and am familiar with what is needed for travelling notaries and signing agents. As I give my
recommendations, I may give different recommendations depending on the type of notarial work
that is expected.
Second, a discussion about the different types of notary stamps. You will see that we divided the
table into several different categories. I will discuss each of these categories:
Germany. The model number is provided so that you can research the stamp more thoroughly.
water based ink like you would see in a traditional stamp pad. The stamp has three main parts: the
stamp body which is the plastic surrounding of the stamp, the ink pad, which has the ink, and the
impression pad, which has the notary information and prints it onto paper. When the stamp is not
being used, the impression pad is facing upward and is resting against the ink pad. When the stamp
is used, you press down on the top and the impression pad is mechanically flipped by the stamp and
pressed into the paper. When you let go, the impression pad returns to the ink pad. This stamp is
very easy to use and makes consistent impressions. However, because the impression pad is laser
cut rubber, the detail is not well defined. You will see this most in the state seal, which will not
have a lot of detail.
The next type of seal is called pre-inked. It uses an oil based ink. The manufacturing process is
totally different from a self-inked stamp. The impression pad is flat. The ink is stored above the
impression pad and is fed through the pad in microscopic amounts. One advantage of this stamp is
that the detail is much greater. However, because it has a flat impression pad, it needs to be used
on a flat surface and the notary needs to make sure that it quickly impressed on all four side to
guarantee a top quality impression. A second advantage is that this stamp technology adapts easily
for small travel stamps.
So, you can see that there is a tradeoff between quality and ease of use. All of our packages offer a
self-inking stamp. Our larger packages offer both a self-inking stamp and a pre-inked stamp. For
our basic and continuing packages, we will upgrade the stamp from self-inking to pre-inked and
charge only $5.00 to make the change.
imprint size, the smaller the space that the stamp can be impressed in. Generally, larger stamps of
a same type make easier to read impressions.
with your hand and push down to make an impression. Regular stamps come in both types of ink
and in both round and rectangle impressions. Travel stamps are shorter but match many of the
regular models in impression size. A travel stamp, because of its smaller size, is usually pushed
down with the finger tips. One last style is our heavy stamp. This stamp has heavy duty medal and
thick plastic parts. It has a heavy clunk when pushed down but is a desk stamp – it is not
convenient to carry.
the lack of detail in the state seal and the notary wording will not be as crisp as other types of
stamps. Better is art work used by a pre-ink stamp. There is more detail and the notary wording is
crisp. However, the wording surrounding the state seal may be slightly difficult to read. Most of
the stamps marked Better are travel stamps. Only the small size limits the quality of the art. Best
art is also the pre-ink stamp type. Usually, all the word can be read in the state seal and other
lettering is always crisp. Stamps with best artwork usually have a full size impression.
practice. Our pre-inked round stamp is like this. Without practice, one of the impression borders
will not imprint. Good means that the stamp, if used on a flat surface and with some practice, will
give a consistent quality. Better means that the stamp handling is fairly easy and consistent. The
regular body pre-inked stamps are usually easier to use that the smaller travel stamps. Best means
that the stamp is easy to use and consistent. These are usually the self-inking stamps. They are
easy to use but the artwork is not as nice
So what do I recommend? Many notaries purchase more than one stamp. I will give
recommendations based on the type of use and the number of stamps being purchased.
If buying one stamp:
For frequent users, I would upgrade the self-inking stamp and get #225 or the #227. These are both
pre-inked stamps with lots of detail. Number 227 has a larger impression area and more detail.
Number 225 has a smaller impression are and will work in tight spaces. Either stamps is a good
choice for frequent users.
For occasional notaries, I would stick with the number 133 which comes in all the packages. It is an
easy to use stamp that does not require special handling – you will be able to use it without any
special pressure techniques.
If buying two stamps:
For a two-stamp purchase, I would definitely recommend that one of the stamps should be a
number 133 because of its ease of use. For the second stamp, I would recommend #225 for a good
balance of ease, size, and artwork. If you travel, I would recommend number 226 which is a travel
version of the #225. It easily fits into a purse or pocket. Our larger basic package plus and signing
agent kits use the SuperSlim stamps, numbers 223 and 224 These stamps are shorter and easier to
carry in the cases that come with the kits.
If buying three stamps:
I do have three stamps and will be renewing my commission in September of 2021. Here is what I
am going to get: Number 134. Having a round stamp is great in narrow spaces. However, I like
using it in most documents because it is a nice variety compared to rectangular stamps. I have a
round stamp currently and use it more than any other stamp. Next, I will get a number 133. This is
the standard rectangle stamp. This will be my alternative to stamp 133 when there is not enough
room on the document for a round stamp or when I have a lot of documents and need to notarize
as quickly as possible. The third stamp that I will take is the number 225. This has a small imprint
for tight spaces. The holder for the ink and impression pad slips out of the stamp body and can be
put into a number 226 stamp body if I start to do mobile notaries again.
Once you get your stamp, here is what you should do:
down hard and see if there is a difference. Push down heavier on the left side or the right side and
see if that makes a difference. Another technique is to push heavier on the bottom of the
impression and then the top of the impression. As you practice, you will get better with your
stamp.
paper under the document you are stamping. Try your stamp both ways and see which method
works better for you. Our signing agent kit and basic package deluxe come with clipboards. The
clipboard surface is usually a good stamping surface.
allowed to stamp more than once on the document. Some notaries do not like to do this because
they think it does not look professional. However, if the customer has to bring the document back
from the county recorder because your impression was rejected, you will definitely not look
professional. When I have gotten a poor impression, I have always just admitted it and told the
customer that I am going to do it again so that their document will not be rejected. Most people
have experience with rubber stamps and correcting the problem before the customer leaves will
add to your professionalism.
document, attach a form jurat or acknowledgment. When you attach a separate form, you have
the advantage of using as many forms as you need in order to get the impression correct.
the scrap paper. This will give you practice right before you need to use the stamp. It will also help
the flow of the ink if you have not used the stamp for awhile.
As bad as this sounds, after a few uses with your new stamp, you will start to feel more comfortable
in your technique. Once you get used to the stamp, it will be easier to use consistently.