Leimasin

Leimasin is the Finnish term for a device used to imprint a design, text, or mark onto a surface by applying ink or other medium to a raised image and pressing it onto the target material. In English the word corresponds to stamp or seal. Leimasin are used in offices, schools, and by crafters to reproduce repetitive marks or decorative motifs.

Most common types are rubber hand stamps, featuring a raised image mounted on a handle and used with an ink pad. Self-inking stamps enclose an integrated ink pad that re-inks the image after each impression. Traditional stamps require a separate pad, for example a separate ink pad or re-inking after use. For sealing, a different class, often metal or wood, creates a seal impression by pressing into wax, clay, or another soft medium.

Materials vary: the image is usually made of rubber or photopolymer; the mounting materials include wood, plastic, or metal; ink can be oil-based, water-based, or pigment-based depending on surface and purpose. In addition to labeling and authentication, leimasin are widely used in arts and crafts, card making, scrapbooking, and packaging.

Stamps have ancient roots in authentication and branding. Modern rubber stamps appeared in the 19th century, enabling inexpensive mass production of imprinted marks. Self-inking variants became common in the late 20th century, further increasing convenience for repetitive stamping tasks.

Care and maintenance are straightforward: keep ink pads clean and replace them when dried; clean stamp surfaces with mild soap and water and avoid solvents that can degrade rubber or photopolymer; store stamps flat or upright, protected from dust and direct sunlight to preserve the image.