The best round rubber stamps should have a clean, clear image and a tough backing, and be the correct size for the project it will be used for. Round rubber stamps not intended for a specific project can be chosen in a size that will work with most types of projects crafters normally use stamps for. Stamps used for mail art, business purposes, or for scrapbooking need to be small enough to work on these surfaces, while stamps for furniture and home accessory use can be larger. Choosing the best round rubber stamps will add a touch of quality to artwork and correspondence.
Round rubber stamps used for business can be self-inking or require the use of a stamp pad. Self-inking business stamps don't require a separate ink pad, and are a good choice if uniform, single-color images are desired. Business stamps that are not self-inking require a separate stamp pad to use. This type of round rubber stamp allows the user to vary the color and type of ink used with the stamp.
The types of round rubber stamps used for scrapbooking or paper crafting may be mounted on wood blocks or plastic. The best rubber stamps for scrapbooking make clean images and have a design that is useful or artistic in some way. Stamps featuring the alphabet or the numbers from zero to nine are also helpful for paper art. Depending on the type of finished product desired, crafters can purchase stamps at an art supply store or have them custom made at an office supply store.
The best round rubber stamps of any type offer clean images with no uneven or ragged borders. Mounted stamps should be on wood or clear plastic blocks that are slightly larger than the diameter of the stamp. Having a round rubber stamp with an oversized block makes it difficult to accurately place images. It is also a good idea to perform a test stamp if possible to check that the image is as depicted on the label.
The best round rubber stamps will last a lifetime with proper cleaning and care. The rubber used to make the stamp should be flexible, not brittle. All stamps, including round rubber stamps, should be cleaned after use and stored in a flat position. Allowing paint or ink to dry on a stamp will affect the image produced, and may permanently damage the stamp.