How to make a Rubber Stamp

In a world full of fakes, phonies, and imitators, it seems like a rubber stamp is the only way to make something official.

Stamps are like fingerprints or snowflakes in that no two are the same supposedly.

A Letterbox - Image courtesy of Atlasobscura.com

I learned this skill while Letterboxing as a wee lad. Letterboxing is an early online community (pre social media) of people who enjoy real-world treasure hunting. On the letterboxing forum, you could look up your area and get clues for the location of a hidden Tupperware box.

Something to the effect of “find the large oak tree and take 50 paces West”.

Inside you would find a notebook (where you would leave your stamp), as well as the stamp of the box’s creator, which you could add to your own log.

A Strawberry stamp from Casey’s

This project was inspired by Casey’s Rubber Stamps, a charming East Village institution no larger than a food truck kitchen. For 43 years, John Casey has made rubber stamps using a complex old-school method that is reserved for the pros.

Inside Casey’s Rubber Stamps at 322 EAST 11TH STREET, NYC 10003

To make your own rubber stamp you’ll need the following items.

Materials:

• A Rubber “Carve Block”

• Transfer Paper

• Tape

• Stamp Ink

• Exacto Knife

• Rubber “Graver Set”

  • Not required, but helpful for a better finish and a quicker process.