Written by Acorn Sales Company, manufacturing stamps and seals since 1964 · Reviewed by Holly R, VP of Sales and Marketing at Acorn Sales, against the Acorn Sales stamp pad and stamp ink listings on September 25, 2026 · Updated September 25, 2026
Choose a stamp pad that is larger than your stamp's impression and inked for the surface you are marking. Acorn's cloth stamp pads run from 1-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ at $5.95 to 9-1/4″ x 12-1/4″ at $99.95. The smaller pads come inked in red, blue, black, green or violet, or dry for special inks such as fabric ink and quick drying ink.
Which stamps need a stamp pad?
Stamps without their own ink. Wood handle rubber stamps, Shiny Duo hand stamps and some daters, such as the line date stamps and the Trodat 3450, need a separate pad, and their listings say so.
Self-inking and pre-inked stamps have the ink built in, and their listings say no separate ink pad is required. If yours is one of those, it does not need a stamp pad.
What size stamp pad do you need?
Pick a pad that is longer and wider than the rubber die, so the whole impression inks in one press. A 1-5/8″ square address stamp fits the 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ PAD-0, and a 3/8″ x 3″ signature stamp needs a pad longer than 3″, such as the PAD-0 at 3-1/2″ or the PAD-1 at 4-1/4″.
| Pad | Size | Price | Comes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAD-00 | 1-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ | $5.95 | Inked in 5 standard colors, or dry |
| PAD-0 | 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ | $5.95 | Inked in red, blue, black, green or violet, or dry |
| PAD-1 | 2-3/4″ x 4-1/4″ | $5.95 | Inked in red, blue, black, green or violet, or dry |
| PAD-2 | 3-1/4″ x 6-1/4″ | $9.95 | Inked in red, blue, black, green or violet, or dry |
| PAD-3 | 4-1/2″ x 7-1/4″ | $14.95 | Inked in red, blue or black, or dry |
| PAD-10 | 6″ x 8″ | $79.95 | Dry, ink sold separately |
| PAD-12 | 6″ x 12″ | $89.95 | Dry, ink sold separately |
| PAD-LT | 9-1/4″ x 12-1/4″ | $99.95 | Dry, ink sold separately; made for extra large stamps |
Custom PMS color matching is available on the PAD-0 and PAD-1 at an additional charge.
Which ink works on which surface?
Regular rubber stamp ink covers paper, corrugated, kraft paper and labels. For fabric, film or glossy labels, order a dry pad and the matching special ink, because the listings advise choosing a dry pad when you use special ink.
| Ink | Surfaces | Good to know | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Rubber Stamp Ink | Paper, corrugated, kraft paper and labels | Water soluble; black, blue, green, purple or red; meets USDA guidelines for use on food packaging | $11.95, or $3.95 for 6cc |
| Quick Drying Stamp Ink | Resin-coated photographic paper, Mylar and chrome coated labels | Waterproof; dries in about 10 to 15 seconds; black only; meets USDA guidelines for food packaging | $19.95 |
| Fabric Stamp Ink | Cloth, linen and clothing | Indelible and non-acid based; no heat setting needed; the cloth can be washed right after marking | $19.95, or $7.95 for 6cc |
Quick drying and fabric ink are both meant for a hand rubber stamp on a felt pad, which is why they pair with a dry pad rather than one already inked in a standard color.
How do you mark fabric with a rubber stamp?
Use a wood handle rubber stamp, a dry pad and Fabric Stamp Ink. The listing gives two conditions for a lasting mark:
- Wash out sizing first. The ink "should not be applied on top of sizing," so new cloth with sizing should be washed before marking.
- No heat step. No preparation or hot iron is required, and the item can be washed immediately after marking.
That makes it a simple way to mark clothing and linens with a rubber name stamp.
Stamp pad colors
The PAD-00, PAD-0, PAD-1 and PAD-2 come inked in five standard colors: red, blue, black, green and violet. The PAD-3 comes in red, blue or black.
If a board, agency or client specifies an ink color for your documents, follow that rule first. Our stamp ink color guide covers ink color choices in more detail.
Related guides
- What Is a Company Stamp? The Business Stamps an Office Uses
- Office, Finance and Date Stamps
- Custom Rubber Stamps: How They Are Made and How to Order
Frequently asked questions
What size stamp pad do I need?
One that is longer and wider than your stamp's rubber die. Acorn's pads run from 1-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ to 9-1/4″ x 12-1/4″; a 1-5/8″ square stamp or a 3″ long signature stamp fits the 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ PAD-0.
Do self-inking stamps need a stamp pad?
No. Self-inking and pre-inked stamps have the ink built in. Wood handle rubber stamps, Shiny Duo hand stamps and some daters, such as line date stamps, need a separate pad.
What is a dry stamp pad for?
Special inks. The listings advise a dry pad when you use special ink such as Fabric Stamp Ink or Quick Drying Stamp Ink, and the three industrial pads always ship dry with the ink sold separately.
What ink should I use to stamp fabric?
Fabric Stamp Ink, an indelible, non-acid based ink for cloth, linen and clothing. It needs no hot iron, the cloth can be washed right after marking, and it works best with a hand rubber stamp on a felt pad.
What ink works on glossy or plastic labels?
Quick Drying Stamp Ink. It is a waterproof ink that adheres to resin-coated photographic paper, Mylar and chrome coated labels, and it dries in about 10 to 15 seconds. It is available in black only.
What colors do stamp pads come in?
Red, blue, black, green or violet on the PAD-00 through PAD-2, and red, blue or black on the PAD-3. Custom PMS color matching is available on the PAD-0 and PAD-1 at an additional charge.
Find the right size on our Rubber Stamp Pads page.
