Rubber Stamp Business Opportunity

Rubber stamps are easy to make but requires moderate craft skill. The business template is simple and is practicable from home or an office environment.

You could focus on designing ready to use stamps or customized stamps. Ready to use stamps are popular with children and also has business applications.

Startup funding requirements are from $400-$1000 depending on a few factors. Working from home is infinitely cheaper, however you need a personal income tax identification number, marketing strategy and training.

Learn the Craft

Rubber stamping is a craft for creative and artistic people. Learn through books, e-books, magazines and websites. Attend art/craft classes or hire a tutor and learn the trade.

• Tutorials
• Books
• E-books
• Magazines
• Websites
• Craft shows

Basic Rubber Stamp Supplies

There are a few basic supplies you need for your business. You could start by purchasing embossed powders, inks and stamp handles.

Others are cleaning agents, scissors, cutting board and craft knife. More essentials are card stock, paints, pens, ink pad and different rubber stamp images. You also need adhesive padding, mounding blocks and latex rubber

• Embossed powders
• Inks
• Stamp handles
• Stamp cleaner
• Scissors
• Cutting board
• Craft knife
• Cardstock
• Paints
• Pens
• Ink pad
• Rubber stamp images.  
• Adhesive padding
•  Mounding blocks
• Latex rubber

Office Equipment

Apart from the essential supplies you need some office equipment to aid the creative process. Buy a laptop or computer and a modem for internet access. Add basic furniture such as chairs, tables and high resolution DeskJet printer.

• Laptop or computer
• Modem
• Chairs
• Tables
• DeskJet printer.

Types of Rubber Stamp Handles and Mounts

You have a wide verity of rubber stamp handles to choose. Specifications include Acrylic mount handle, stamper pre ink, Dura series mounds.

Others are Dura instant stamper, rubber stamp handle, plastic stamp handle and polymer. More include pre-ink, raw stamping, dura mounts, polumerruber handles, transparent  handle and rubber mounds.

• Acrylic mount handle
• Stamper pre ink
• Dura series mounds
• Dura instant stamper
• Rubber stamp handle
• Plastic stamp handle
• Polymer
• Pre-ink
• Raw stamping
• Dura mounts
• Polumerruber handles
• Transparent  handle
• Rubber mounds.

Thing to Create

The stamps can make low cost handmade cards, design scrapbooks pages, customized packaging and gift bags. Others are DIY custom bracelets, rubber stamp jewelry and polymer clay pebbles.

• Low cost handmade cards
• Design scrapbooks pages
• Customized packaging
• Gift bags
• DIY custom bracelets
• Rubber stamp
• Jewelry
• polymer clay pebbles

How Commercial Rubber Stamps are made

Serious stamp makers start by making a design which is transferred to an aluminum plate. The design then gets etched through the application of acid.

The resultant engraved plate is placed on plastic to produce a mold. A vulcanizer produces the negative mold, this is also achieved using polymer.

Skilled craftsmanship and adhesives are then applied in various stages of the process to achieve the finished product.
Printing Business Ideas

Formulate a Business Plan

Rubber Stamp making is relatively easy once you develop the skill. However turning a hobby into a successful business is a different ball game.

The business plan should focus on marketing, customer demography and supplies. Other things to consider include building a targeted website and time management. You need to have a practicable budget and cost analysis.

Marketing Considerations

Finding customers is a big challenge for rubber stamp makers. A good way is to network with printers, bookshops and stationery stores.

Offer them ready made products including customized services. Retailing your products through stationery shops is an effective marketing strategy.

Make sure they refer potential clients by offering them incentives. Advertise your business through local publications, flyers and business cards.

Organize small community events to attract interest in your product. Produce quality products and use top grade materials.

Build a blog or website to highlight your products and use social media engagements. Make sure you spend very small funds on any marketing campaign.

Avoidable Mistakes

The biggest problem to avoid is making spelling errors. Such mistakes will show a negative image and affect your business.

Always check and double check any spelling to avoid this pitfall. Another potential problem is using poor quality material. Poorly made stamps will break or letters fade quickly.

Build a Website

A website would attract more people to your products. Make sure the site has good images, checkout cart and phone number. The site should target your local community or international market.

 Attribution-By Photo: Andreas Praefcke (Own work) [CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons