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DIY: Brass Ink Stamps

Ink stamps are rubber pads engraved with an image or a series of letters or numbers that are housed inside a metal or plastic casing. They are commonly used in office settings to validate documents. Most ink stamp housings are plastic, while more expensive ink stamps are stored in brass or copper casings. Electroplating, the transfer of one metal̵7;s coat onto the surface of another metal or conductive object, allows for users of ink stamps to change the appearance of the ink stamp shell.

Things You'll Need

Brass plating solution
Copper conductive paint
Gloves
Goggles
Beaker
Power supply with alligator clips

Instructions

- 1
  Put on gloves and goggles to prevent incidental contact between the plating solution and the eyes or skin.
- 2
  Add enough plating solution to the beaker to fully immerse the ink stamp. Use a beaker that is large enough to accommodate both the ink stamp and brass piece without either object touching the other. If the ink stamp is plastic, spray an even coat of copper conductive paint over its surface.
- 3
  Attach the brass to the positive charged alligator clip and the ink stamp to the negative charged alligator clip. Set both objects inside the beaker without the alligator clips contacting each other.
- 4
  Plug the power supply into an electrical socket. Allow the plating process to go on until the ink stamp assumes the physical characteristics of the brass piece. You can monitor this process by looking through the beaker or occasionally removing the ink stamp and inspecting it.

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