Things You'll Need
Paper
Sponge
Baby wipes
Paper towel
Self-inking stamps have built-in ink pads. The rubber stamp rolls up to be in contact with the pad then flips back around when the stamp is pressed onto a piece of paper, leaving the stamped image behind. If you change the color of the ink pad inside the stamp or if the image is beginning to appear blurry, it is time to clean your stamp. Dirt and dried ink builds up on the stamp over time. Cleaning the stamp without getting the ink pad inside contaminated with the cleaning solution is necessary.
Step 1
Locate the small red or white button on the side of the stamp. With the pad side facing you push the stamp shaft in until the stamp flips to face you. Push in the button to hold in in place so it doesn't flip back once you release it.
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Step 2
Stamp a sheet of paper three to five times. Stamp until the inked image is faint or non-existent to ensure most of the ink is removed from the pad
Step 3
Wipe off the excess ink with a damp sponge. Use a cellulose sponge as it will not leave lint or shredded sponge bits on the stamp.
Step 4
Wipe off any remaining ink with an alcohol-free baby wipe. Wipe any excess liquid from the stamp with a paper towel then release the buttons on the stamp shaft so it flips back inward.
Tip
If your stamp doesn't have buttons wrap a rubber band around it to hold the shaft in and keep the stamp facing out.
Dampen a sponge with water a drop of dish soap if you don't have baby wipes.
Warning
Avoid soaking a stamp. This may weaken the glue that holds the stamp to the shaft.
Do not use oil-based solvents as these will eat away at rubber stamp pads.
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