Leading quality and reliable impressions.
Trodat is well known for its Printy-style self-inking stamps. They are compact, easy to use, refillable, and come with a built-in ink pad. The 491x series is a range of rectangular text stamps with increasing impression sizes, giving users options from very small labels up to moderately large business stamps.
Each model has a maximum text plate area and a suggested number of lines or characters. When choosing which size to use, you generally balance:
- how many text lines or characters you need
- how much space the stamp will occupy on envelopes, forms, or packaging
- readability
- usage such as address stamp, return stamp, or status stamp
Below is a breakdown of each 491x size and its typical use cases.
Sizes and Use Cases
| Model | Impression / Plate Size* | Suggested Lines / Usage | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trodat 4910 | ~3/8″ × 1″ (≈ 9.5mm × 25mm) | 1–2 lines max | Very short labels such as PAID, OK, small internal stamps, marking little codes, small return-address stamp on small envelopes or tags |
| Trodat 4911 | ~9/16″ × 1½″ (≈ 14mm × 38mm) | 2–3 lines | Small return-address stamps, contact info stamps, short messages, small logos with text |
| Trodat 4912 | ~3/4″ × 1 ⅞″ (≈ 18mm × 47mm) | 3–4 lines | Moderately sized address stamps, packaging stamps with name and address, small business information stamps |
| Trodat 4913 | ~7/8″ × 2 3/8″ (≈ 22mm × 57mm) | 4–5 (or up to 6) lines | Full return address with several lines, small forms, text with a small logo, shipping package stamps |
| Trodat 4915 | ~1″ × 2 ¾″ (≈ 25mm × 70mm) | 5–7 lines | Larger address or business stamps, “from the desk of” stamps, more text with logo, medium packaging, branding |
*Impression or plate size is the maximum rubber die area that can be engraved. Actual text should leave margins for clarity.
Why Choose One Over Another
- If your message is only one short line such as “Paid,” “Recd,” or “OK,” the 4910 is compact and easy to position.
- If you want a clean-looking address stamp with name, street, and city line, 4911 or 4912 are often ideal.
- If you want to include phone, email, web, or a small logo, moving up to 4913 or 4915 gives you more space.
- Consider the item you are stamping. On small envelopes or tags, too large a stamp may look crowded or force awkward placement.
Tips for Using These Stamps
- Keep clarity by avoiding too many lines or too-small fonts in a single stamp.
- Leave margins around your text so the edges do not smear.
- These are self-inking stamps with built-in pads that can produce thousands of impressions before re-inking.
- Many Trodat models include clear bottom edges so you can align your impression accurately.
- Water-based inks may smear on glossy or coated paper. Choose quick-dry or specialty ink if needed.
- If using a logo, make sure the stamp size matches the complexity of the design and avoid cramming details into a small area.