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How many letters fit, do you think? The answer depends on several factors. With custom-made stamps, the number of letters can vary significantly. Why? Because design software allows us to manipulate the text in many ways. For example; adjusting font size, squashing or stretching the letters, changing the spacing between letters and words, and scaling the entire design. The possibilities are endless.
A common question we receive is whether we charge by the letter. The answer is no. There’s no extra cost for the number of letters you include. Copying and pasting 10 letters takes as much time as copying 100. However, arranging those letters to fit the stamp takes time.
The cost is determined by the engraving time, which is directly related to the stamp’s size. The width and height of the engraving area. The laser head passes over the entire area, whether engraving two letters or a hundred. The overall size of the rubber stamp and the area to be engraved drive the production cost, not the number of characters, so how many letters fit depends on the font.
We often find that a 12-point font is standard, especially for name stamps. For instance, name stamps might have a person’s name on the top line, their job title on the second, and their location on the third. These are commonly used for solicitors and nurses, though nurse stamps typically use only two lines: name on the top, and registration number below.
The choice of font significantly affects the length of the text on each line. Some fonts have regular widths, while others offer condensed or expanded versions, which alter how much text fits across a row.
The rubber stamps’ purpose can also dictate the font size. A stamp used to fill out a form might require a smaller font, while a stamp used for branding will be bigger. For a box or bag, for instance, might need a much larger font.
Our primary question is: “How big or small does the stamp mark need to be?”
Providing exact measurements helps us determine how to fit the text perfectly. The stamp body size gives us the maximum width available, and we then choose the most cost-effective body to fit your design.
Alternatively, you might specify a font size, such as Open Sans 14-point. In that case, we’d type out the text, measure it in our design software, and select the appropriate stamp body for the job.
There are two critical factors that affect the quality of the stamp mark: how small the font can be and how thin the letters are.
While we can engrave fonts as small as 4 points, these tend to be unreliable and difficult to read. In fact, they’re so tiny that I often need a magnifying glass to inspect them. Small letters, especially those with closed loops like ‘o’, ‘d’, or ‘e’, can trap ink bubbles, resulting in blobs on the paper.
The best way to avoid blobs is by using a larger font size. We’ve found that a 6.5-point font, with letters about 1.6 to 1.9mm tall, typically avoids this issue. When the ink pad is new, the risk of blobs is higher because the pad holds more ink. Over time, as the ink pad dries out slightly, this issue improves. Even so, larger fonts are less likely to cause problems.
Another issue to consider is line thickness. Some fonts have varying thicknesses within a single letter. During engraving, if the lines are too thin, the laser may burn away parts of the rubber surrounding the letters, causing small details to disappear. I prefer a minimum thickness of 0.2mm for reliable results.
If a font’s lines are too thin, we can use design software to slightly thicken them. Even a small adjustment, such as 0.05mm, can make a significant difference. This level of detail and care ensures a high-quality stamp, unlike mass-produced stamps processed quickly from online forms.
It’s important to choose a reliable supplier, especially if they are based locally. Many companies with a “.co.nz” domain are actually located overseas, which can make resolving issues difficult. We, however, are based in New Zealand, operating from the North Island, and we ship nationwide with NZ Post.
Make sure to check the supplier’s physical address and phone number. If they aren’t listed, it could be a red flag that you’re dealing with an overseas company. If you end up with a poorly made stamp, we can often help resolve the problem.
We also recommend reviewing a design proof before production and shipping. We provide a custom proof the next working day, and if changes are needed, you can request revisions. Once you’re satisfied, you can approve the design for production.
When you receive your design proof, print it at 100% size from the PDF we send you. This allows you to check whether the stamp will fit your document, and whether the text fits within the lines or boxes where it’s needed.
This is the perfect time to ensure everything is correct. Did you include all necessary details? If not, let us know, and we can make adjustments.
One thing to avoid is vague requests like, “Can it be a bit bigger?” Such requests slow down the process. Instead, give precise measurements like, “Can we increase the size by 2mm?” This makes it easier for us to help you efficiently.
Once all details are finalised and approved, we’ll produce your custom stamp within one working day and ship it to you. Delivery typically takes 1-2 working days via courier.
Customer Testimonials
They were so helpful, gave clear easy instruction which made ordering very quick & easy. All done with such speedy service. Highly recommended. Thank you.
Jenny Adams
Thanks to Antoinette for her wonderful, helpful and friendly assistance, and the designers for quickly producing and editing proof’s as requested. Great service and pricing. Delivery was superfast! 10/10 – thanks team!
Jasmine Milton
Thank you Antionette and Trent for going above and beyond on a last-minute project for me. Great people and great work!
Simone Ward
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