A Guide To Rubber Stamps For Coffee Shops, Restaurants And Takeaways

Custom rubber stamps are not just for craft lovers and office workers, they're also invaluable assets for those in the food and beverage industry. Stamps can add a unique touch to your business, creating a memorable brand experience with ease.

There's a wide array of rubber stamps out there, and choosing the right ones when personalising your own can be a game-changer. 

As a savvy business owner, you have some creative ideas to set your establishment apart - and a cool custom stamp can help you do that. However, you might need some assistance selecting the best type of stamp to realize your vision. This article will provide just that - guiding you towards the ideal tools to manifest your unique brand identity. Plus, you might find some inspiring ideas to fuel your imagination along the way!

Jump to the following sections:

• Choosing The Right Type Of Stamp
• Purpose
• Customisation
• Size
• Material
• Ink Type
• Efficiency
• How Many To Buy
• Products
• How To Design, Upload And Order Your Stamp
• Examples

Choosing the right type of stamp

Consider the following when deciding which rubber stamp to choose:  

Purpose 

What will you be using your stamp for? Bags, cups, loyalty cards or some other item? This will help to define each of the following factors. 

• Loyalty card
• Cup
• Bag
• Box
• Receipt
• Business card
• Other decorations.

See below for more examples of things you can do with stamps in cafes, takeaways and restaurants.

Customisation

While there are many generic stamps available, consider designing your own stamp that caters to your specific needs or preferences, whether it's a combination of text and images or a specific font style.

Size

This will be governed by the item you want to stamp - is it a bag, cup or box? What is the smallest item you need to stamp on? You might choose to have two stamps made - a large one for pizza boxes and bags, and a small one for cups and loyalty cards.

Material

Select durable materials like self-inking or pre-inked stamps, as they can withstand frequent. These stamps eliminate the need for a separate ink pad, ensuring a mess-free and efficient experience.

Ink Type

Water-based inks are suitable for stamping on paper or cardstock for most food and drink packaging. Explore our inks and pads.

Efficiency

Consider the frequency and volume of stamping tasks you'll be performing. Self-inking or pre-inked stamps can save time and effort, as they don't require manual re-inking between impressions.

How many to buy

Stamps Direct offers great discounts for multiple purchases.

Products

Use this table to choose the right stamp for your business.

How to design, upload and order your stamp

When creating a custom stamp with Stamps Direct, choose the type of stamp and the impression size to suit your needs, then upload your text/logos/images via the form on the product page. 

Uses of Rubber Stamps in Coffee Shops, Restaurants And Takeaways

Loyalty Cards

Stamps can be used to mark loyalty or reward cards. Each time a customer makes a purchase, they receive a stamp. After a certain number of stamps, they could earn a free coffee, meal, or a discount.

READ: The Advantages Of Loyalty Cards For Any Size Business

Labeling Takeaway Packaging

Stamps could be used to label takeaway boxes, cups, or bags. For example, they might stamp different types of food containers to indicate vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.

READ: Refresh Packaging & Labelling With Custom Ink Stamps & Sealing Wax

Marking Receipts

Some establishments might use a rubber stamp to mark receipts as paid, or to add other necessary information such as the date, time, or server's name.

Branding

Stamps could be used for branding materials like napkins, menus, placemats, or other promotional items. They might stamp their logo, slogan, or other branding elements.

READ: A Step By Step Guide To Small Business Branding

Documenting Daily Specials

For eateries with rotating menus or daily specials, a rubber stamp could be used to easily update menus or chalkboard signs.

Date Stamping

Stamps can be used for internal purposes like date stamping invoices, deliveries, or other important paperwork.

Training Materials

Stamps could be used on training materials, such as marking off completed sections in a training manual or marking pass/fail on a test or quiz.

Grading Food Safety Checklists

A stamp could be used to indicate completion or pass/fail on food safety checklists or health department inspections.

Organizing Reservations

Stamps could be used to quickly mark reservation slips with specific symbols to indicate special requirements, such as a large party, outside seating, or a birthday celebration.

Marking Gift Cards or Certificates

A stamp can be used to indicate when a gift card or certificate has been redeemed.

Why use rubber stamps in a coffee shop or takeaway?

Brand Visibility

Stamps with your logo or brand name can increase your brand's visibility. Whether it's on takeaway packaging, loyalty cards, or napkins, every stamped item serves as a mini advertisement for your business.

Customer Loyalty

Using stamps on customer loyalty cards can foster repeat business. Customers are often more likely to return knowing they're earning towards a reward.

Efficiency

Stamps can streamline many processes, such as marking paid bills or stamping date/time on paperwork. This can save staff time, reduce errors, and increase the overall efficiency of your operations.

Customization

Rubber stamps can be easily customized to suit your specific needs, such as labelling different food types or indicating allergen information on takeaway containers.

Professionalism

Well-made, consistent stamps can increase the perceived professionalism of your business. They provide a uniformity that handwritten notes may lack.

Cost-Effective Marketing

Compared to other forms of branding, stamps are relatively inexpensive. This makes them a cost-effective method of increasing brand awareness.

READ: How to save money on expensive printing costs for packaging

Versatility

Rubber stamps can be used on a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, wood, and some plastics. This opens up many possibilities for their use within your establishment.

Consistency

Stamps ensure consistent application of your brand or information across different materials and platforms. This can help maintain your brand image and messaging.