If you've ever walked into a stationery shop in Sungai Petani and asked for "a stamp", you probably got a follow-up question that felt like an exam: "Rubber, self-inking, pre-ink or polymer ah?"
After making custom stamps for Kedah businesses for over 25 years, here's the truth: most offices buy the wrong type — either over-paying for features they'll never use, or under-buying and replacing the stamp every two years. This guide gives you the honest answer.
The 5 stamp types you'll see in Malaysia
1. Traditional rubber stamp (with separate ink pad)
The classic. A rubber die mounted on a wooden or plastic handle. You press it onto an ink pad, then onto paper. Cheap, but the ink pad is a separate purchase and you'll have ink on your fingers within a week.
- Best for: very occasional use (e.g. a "PAID" stamp used once a week)
- Price: RM 15–35
- Lifespan: 5–10 years if stored carefully
2. Self-inking stamp (Shiny, Trodat, COLOP)
The workhorse. The ink pad is built into the body — every time you stamp, the rubber die rolls onto the pad automatically. Clean impressions, no fingers stained, fast for high-volume use.
- Best for: the 90% of offices that need a company stamp, address stamp, or signature stamp used daily
- Price: RM 35–90 depending on size
- Lifespan: 5–10 years; replace the ink pad every 8,000–10,000 impressions (~RM 10)
3. Pre-ink stamp (also called "flash" stamp)
Photo-quality impressions. The "rubber" is actually a porous polymer pre-filled with ink — so the impression is super crisp, perfect for company logos with fine detail. Re-inking is done by injecting ink into the top.
- Best for: companies with intricate logos, or anyone making 20+ impressions in a row (medical clinics, government counters, accountants)
- Price: RM 70–150
- Lifespan: 8–15 years
4. Polymer stamp
Made by exposing a polymer sheet to UV light through a film negative. Produces a fine, durable rubber die. Often used for traditional rubber stamps with detailed artwork.
- Best for: custom artistic stamps, school crests, signature reproductions
- Price: RM 60–120
- Lifespan: 10+ years
5. Dater & numberer stamps
Self-inking stamps with adjustable wheels — change the date/number on the fly. Found at every reception desk in Malaysia.
- Best for: "RECEIVED [date]" stamps, sequential numbering for filing
- Price: RM 50–110
Quick comparison: which one is right for you?
| Your need | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daily company chop for invoices & letters | Self-inking | Cheap, clean, lasts years |
| Stamp with company logo & fine detail | Pre-ink | Crisp impression every time |
| "RECEIVED [today's date]" | Self-inking dater | Adjustable wheels save you from buying new stamps |
| Signature stamp for boss who hates signing things | Pre-ink | Sharper signature reproduction |
| Address stamp used 2× per month | Traditional rubber | No point paying RM 80 for occasional use |
| School crest, sports day prizes | Polymer | Crisp artwork, doesn't wear out |
Common mistake: Buying a giant 60mm pre-ink stamp because "bigger looks more official". A small 35mm self-inking is more durable, easier to carry, and Malaysian SSM has no minimum size requirement for company stamps.
What about Malaysian SSM compliance?
This question comes up a lot. The Companies Act 2016 doesn't actually require a physical company seal anymore — many transactions can be authorised by director signatures alone. But banks, government agencies and traditional partners strongly prefer a clear company chop on documents.
What your stamp should show:
- Full company name as registered with SSM
- Company registration number (e.g. 123456-A or the new 12-digit format)
- Optionally: "Sdn. Bhd." or "Bhd." designation
Most companies use a 40mm × 15mm self-inking stamp for this — costs about RM 40 at our shop and is accepted by every bank, LHDN office and government counter in Kedah we've heard back from.
How long should a stamp last?
Here's what we see in the shop:
- Self-inking: customers come back for new ink pads every 1–3 years (depending on use). Replace the whole stamp every 5–10 years.
- Pre-ink: ink top-up every 2–4 years. Often outlasts the company's branding before it wears out.
- Traditional rubber: depends entirely on storage. If you let it dry out flat against a desk, 1–2 years. Stored upright with the cap on, 8+ years.
Where to buy in Sungai Petani
If you're in Kedah, we make all five types at our shop on Jalan Taman Indah. Same-day for simple stamps (most company chops, address stamps, "PAID" stamps); 1–3 working days for stamps with custom artwork or photo-quality logos.
You can browse our stamp catalog or WhatsApp us your stamp design at 010-451 8088 and we'll quote within the hour.
Need a stamp made?
Send us your design or company name on WhatsApp — same-day service for most stamps.
WhatsApp 010-451 8088Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a rubber stamp and a self-inking stamp?
A traditional rubber stamp needs a separate ink pad — you press the stamp onto the pad, then onto paper. A self-inking stamp has the ink pad built into the body and re-inks the rubber automatically every time you stamp. Self-inking is faster and cleaner for daily use; rubber is cheaper for occasional use.
How long does a self-inking stamp last?
Around 8,000–10,000 clear impressions before the built-in pad needs re-inking. The rubber die itself lasts 5–10 years. Replacement ink pads are RM 8–15.
Are pre-ink stamps better than self-inking?
Pre-ink makes sharper impressions and can do 20,000+ before re-inking, but costs 2–3× more. For most office text stamps, self-inking is better value. Pre-ink wins for company logos with fine detail.
How much does a custom rubber stamp cost in Sungai Petani?
Traditional rubber: from RM 15. Self-inking: RM 35–90. Pre-ink: RM 70–150. Polymer logo stamps: from RM 60. Same-day service available at Seri Jadi for most types.
Read next: 5 office stationery items every SME in Kedah should stock · Bill book printing in Sungai Petani — what to ask before you order