Custom Stamps at Staples

Staples has, for a long time, created custom stamps in-house or ordered out. Both have a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and can even include logos or designs.

First, the in-house variety.

Here there are severe limits on what can be chosen. There are only five sizes to choose from, one being big enough for one line of text while the others are progressively larger rectangles. Also, while there are different choices of ink color, only their third biggest has all the color chooses, while the others usually have just black or black and red.

Use wise, clarity is alright with these stamps. You can easily see the message without the ink blurring around the letters. If you have a small logo, you can add that to the stamp, and if it is a simple logo it will come out really good. However, don't have a complicated logo, as it will become smudged and impossible to see.

You can get several hundred to thousand stamps out of these stamps, and they are very easy to load new ink into (the new ink is sold behind the CPC counter).

Time wise, this stamp (if the associates are not busy) takes five minutes tops. Unlike their BCIM (Business Cards In Minutes) program, where the M is a lie, these stamps really are made quickly. As usual though, if you are ordering during a busy time of day or year, like a holiday, expect to wait a day or two for your stamp to be made.

Next, their out sources stamps.

Here you can choose much larger sizes, different shapes like circles and ovals, and can have more complicated designs added to them. You can also order notary stamps from them (out of house is the only notary stamp they can do, in-house is against their policy). They also have different types of stamps, one good for a a seldom stamp here and there with great durability, or another one that is great for stamp after stamp, but you can only get about half as many impressions with it.

These stamps take about 7 to 10 business days to come in after ordering.

You may think with the wait and the extra money you will dish out that the clarity would be better than the faster and cheaper in-house stamps. Unfortunately, that isn't true. Usually the clarity is either as good or terrible, with the letters being incomprehensible.

Out sourced also offers signature stamps, but for the above mentioned reason, it would probably be better to get the in-house stamps if this is what you are planning.

So the stamps are OK, with moderate clarity and alright prices, but the best is the quick service with the in-house variety. My suggestion, you can probably find another, better place if clarity is what you're seeking. If you just need a throw away stamp for some envelopes or quick messages, than Staples will do you just fine.