A Guide To Rubber Stamps, Seals and Brands for Crafts

Rubber stamps, seals and branding irons are excellent tools for craft enthusiasts, injecting a creative spark into your projects and enabling you to produce intricate designs with ease.

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

You’re a crafter - a crafts person - so you don’t need help with ideas, but you might need help choosing the right stamp, seal or branding iron for your project. This article will do just that: guide you to the perfect way to bring your idea to life (and there are some cool ideas to inspire you as well!)

Jump to the following sections:

• Choosing The Right Type Of Stamp
• Stamp Type
• Customisation
• Size 
• Material
• Ink Type
• Efficiency
• How Many To Buy
• Products
• How To Design, Upload And Order Your Stamp
• Why Use Rubber Stamps, Seals And Branding Irons In Your Crafts

Choosing the right type of stamp

Consider the following when deciding which rubber stamp to choose:  

Stamp type

Choosing the right tool for your craft projects depends on several factors including the material you're working with, the effect you're aiming to achieve, the level of personalisation you desire, and the practical considerations of your project. Here is a guide to help you choose between a wax seal, an embossing seal, a rubber stamp, and a branding iron for your crafts projects: 

When choosing between these options, consider the following questions:

1. What material am I working with? 
• Wax seals and embossing seals work best with paper, rubber stamps can be used on a variety of materials, while branding irons are ideal for wood and leather.
2. What look am I going for? 
• Wax seals create an elegant, vintage effect, embossing seals create a 3D texture, rubber stamps offer great versatility in designs, and branding irons give a rustic, permanent mark.
3. How durable does the design need to be?
• If the item will be handled frequently or needs to last a long time, a rubber stamp or branding iron may be more suitable. For items that will be displayed or handled carefully, a wax seal or embossing seal might be enough.
4. How much time and effort am I willing to put into each mark? 
• Wax seals and branding irons can be a bit more time-consuming and require more setup and clean-up, while rubber stamps and embossing seals are generally quicker and easier to use.

Remember, there's no rule that says you can only use one type of seal or stamp in your crafts. Feel free to experiment with different types to see which ones you like best and which ones work best for your specific projects.

Customisation

Design a stamp that caters to your specific needs or preferences, whether it's a combination of text and images or a specific font style.

Size

Small to medium-sized stamps can be great for most crafts projects. 

Consider whether you want one large stamp or whether you are going to get a smaller stamp that is used multiple times to build up a larger effect - for example, borders or repeating patterns on wrapping paper.

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 craft projects. 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 craft project.

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. 

Why use rubber stamps, seals and branding irons in crafts?

• Versatility
• Rubber stamps can be used on a variety of surfaces including paper, fabric, wood, and clay, making them an extremely versatile tool for crafters. This allows for a wide range of creative possibilities, from card making to scrapbooking to fabric printing and more.
• Consistency
• Rubber stamps can produce the same image or design consistently, which is especially useful when creating multiples of a particular item or when wanting to maintain a certain aesthetic across a project.
• Time-Saving
• Instead of drawing or painting the same design repeatedly, a rubber stamp can produce the design quickly and effortlessly. This can save a considerable amount of time, particularly for large or complex projects.
• Ease of Use
• Rubber stamps are straightforward and easy to use, making them suitable for crafters of all ages and skill levels. They can also be a great way to introduce children to the world of crafts.
• Durability
• Rubber stamps are typically quite durable and can be used repeatedly over a long period of time. As long as they are cleaned and stored properly, they can provide many years of use.
• Cost-Effective
• Once purchased, a rubber stamp can be used countless times, making it a cost-effective tool for crafters. Additionally, the ability to create professional-looking designs and patterns without the need for professional equipment can save crafters a considerable amount of money.
• Creativity Boost
• The use of rubber stamps can inspire creativity and offer a different perspective in crafting. Combining different stamp designs and experimenting with various colours and techniques can open up new possibilities and ideas.

Why use CUSTOM rubber stamps, seals and brands?

• Uniqueness
• The key advantage of customised and personalised rubber stamps is the ability to create a design that is uniquely yours. This could be a logo, a signature design, a personal monogram, or any image that holds special meaning. This kind of uniqueness can make your crafts stand out and can also help to establish your personal or business brand.
• Consistency in Branding
• For those running a small business, customised stamps allow for consistent branding across products, packaging, business cards, tags, and more. This helps to make your business look professional and easily recognisable.
• Exclusivity
• With a customised rubber stamp, you have a design that nobody else has. This can make your craft projects feel more special and exclusive.
• Versatility in Design
• Unlike off-the-shelf stamps, customised rubber stamps can be designed to your exact specifications. You can choose the size, shape, and design details, allowing for much greater creative flexibility.
• Practicality for Events
• Personalised rubber stamps can be very practical for events. For instance, if you're planning a wedding, a customised stamp with the couple's initials or the wedding date can be used to create a cohesive look across invitations, place cards, thank you notes, and wedding favours.
• Ideal for Personalised Gifts
• If you're creating crafts as gifts, a personalised stamp can add a thoughtful touch. For example, a stamp with the recipient's name or a design that represents their interests can make the gift feel extra personal and special.
• Suitable for Limited Edition Products
• If you're crafting a limited series of items, a customised stamp can add a touch of exclusivity and create a sense of scarcity, making the items more appealing.
• Efficiency
• For designs you use frequently or if you have a long message to include in your crafts, custom stamps can save time and ensure you get the exact look you want every time, without the need for handwriting or other more time-consuming methods.

Browse our custom stamps

Uses of rubber stamps in crafts

• Scrapbooking
• Card Making - Read How To Use Personalised Stamps In Your Card Making and  6 Fun Ideas For Homemade Easter Cards For Kids
• Gift Wrapping
• Creating Your Own Board Game: Read our how-to guide
• Pottery Decoration
• Fabric Printing
• Envelope Decoration
• Creating Personalized Stationery
• Bookmaking
• Planner Decoration
• Wall Art
• Making Homemade Stickers
• Customizing Photo Albums
• Creating Backgrounds For Painting
• Making Business Cards For Your Crafts
• Customizing Wedding Decor Read 11 Creative Ideas For Personalised Stamps For Your Wedding
• Making Custom Labels
• Crafting Personalized Gifts (From Picture Frames To Wooden Boxes)
• Creating Custom Balloons
• Pixi Stamping. Read What is Pixie Stamping?

Rubber stamps can also be great for teachers.

Uses of seals in crafts

A seal, in the context of arts and crafts, typically refers to a device or tool used to impress a design or emblem onto a surface, usually by means of pressure. This could range from traditional wax seals to embossing seals or rubber stamps.

Traditional wax seals are created by melting a special type of wax onto a surface (often the closure of a letter or envelope), then pressing a metal seal (often a signet ring or specially designed stamp) into the wax before it cools and hardens, leaving an impression of the design.

Embossing seals, on the other hand, work by pressing a paper or light cardboard between two halves of a tool, leaving a raised (embossed) design on the surface.

Rubber stamps can also be considered a type of seal, using ink rather than wax or embossing techniques.

• Invitations
• Letter Sealing
• Certificate Authentication
• Packaging Homemade Goods
• Book Embossing
• Creating Personalized Stationery
• Wedding Decor
• Business Branding
• Homemade Cards
• Sealing Wax Art
• Custom Labels
• Decorating Handmade Candles
• Sealing Homemade Lotions or Cosmetics.

What branding irons can be used for in crafts

A branding iron is a tool traditionally used to mark livestock, wood, or leather with a unique symbol or logo, indicating ownership. The tool typically consists of a metal piece in the shape of the desired mark, attached to a handle. The metal piece is heated, often by fire or an electric heating element, and then pressed against the surface to be marked, creating a permanent brand.

• Leather Crafting
• Branding irons are most commonly used for creating designs or monograms on leather goods, such as belts, wallets, or handbags.
• Woodworking
• Crafters might use branding irons to add a personal touch or signature to their woodworking projects like furniture, wooden signs, or wooden toys.
• Food Decoration
• Personalized branding irons can be used for creating unique marks on food items like cakes, cookies, or barbecue meats.
• Personalizing Clothing
• With careful application, branding irons can be used to create designs on certain types of fabric.
• Ceramic Decoration
• Before firing clay pottery or other ceramic pieces, branding irons can be used to imprint a unique design.
• Candle Making
• Personalized branding irons can be used to mark homemade candles, adding a professional touch.
• Bookmaking
• Branding irons can be used to create unique covers on homemade books or to imprint the book's spine.
• Decorating Furniture
• Branding irons can be used to add a creative design or initial to painted or unpainted furniture.
• Customizing Sports Equipment
• Crafters could use a branding iron to customize wooden or leather sports equipment, like baseball bats or gloves.
• Branding Wooden Kitchen Utensils
• Personalized branding irons can be used to add initials or designs to wooden spoons, cutting boards, or other kitchenware.

Browse our branding irons