Posted by jojo_MN on 1/30/09 9:25am
Msg #275975

Brother 2260 Elite notary stamp Vs. Stingray Stamp

I need to order a new notary stamp and love the fast delivery with Notary Rotary. I have the Stingray stamp for one of my states and like it, but would like input on the Brother one. Any input would be appreciated. TIA

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/30/09 10:23am
Msg #275980

I have the Brother and the Vision, and the difference between the two is very apparent. The Brother stamp is very sharp and clear. It's my primary stamp.

The one thing that I've noticed with the Brother over the rubber stamps is that you need to use it on a very solid, rigid surface... and I mean solid and rigid, or it can cause some blank spots. I've tried it on the hardcover journal (the MoJo) as my stamping surface and still got some blank spots. It's a very different kind of stamp to be sure. So, I wouldn't use the Brother in a place where you're juggling things on your lap or something similar. But on a solid table? It's great and usually only involves a light touch to get a clean, crisp impression.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/30/09 10:32am
Msg #275984

I have the Vision and am not too happy with it. I bought it half-way through my commission when VA went to requiring notary commission # on notarial certificate. I renew in May and will be getting a better quality stamp. I have a lot of trouble with getting some blank spots. I also have to re-ink it almost every week or two now.

Marian, have you ever tried putting a mouse pad underneath the doc you are stamping? Someone on this forum recommended it once for cleaner impressions and it does work. Would you mind trying it out with your Brother stamp and letting me know if that works well with the Brother? I've been considering ordering the Brother for renewal but your comment about the solid and rigid surface has me wondering.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/30/09 11:10am
Msg #275989

It won't work with just any mousepad... it would need to be a very solid one. Like I said, even the hardcover MoJo gave me blank spots. I'll see if I can find one today and test it out.

The brother stamp itself isn't the usual rubber with a little bit of "give" -- the impression surface is pretty solid. I want to say it almost looks ceramic, but I doubt that's what it is. I'm sure it's just a sturdy, porous plastic of some kind... but the rigidity of the stamps is why you need a good solid surface.

Even so... I love it. I just make sure that I find a flat, solid enough surface to use it on. A glass window or table will do the job... I even used it against a steel elevator door once.

Reply by Calnotary on 1/30/09 11:33am
Msg #275994

I have the 2. The brother leaves a print like a laser printer, the other one leaves a print like an inkjet printer.

Reply by Marian_in_CA on 1/30/09 11:42am
Msg #275995

I take back what I said about the surface being rigid... it's not. It's a soft-ish rubber, but the raised portions are not typical. I just tried it on a hard topped mouse pad placed on top of my journal, and it gave a blank spot the first time with a light touch. The second one I wiggled the stamp a bit, and it gave a full impression, but the ink bled a little bit. But it looks fine... it just isn't as sharp or clear as it usually is. With the slight bleeding, it's comparable to other stamps.

Personally? I think the Brother is worth every penny, you just have to practice with it a bit to get the feel for it.

Reply by CopperheadVA on 1/30/09 12:42pm
Msg #275996

Thanks for the info! I will give the Brother a try when it's time to renew.

Reply by HB/CA on 1/30/09 8:55pm
Msg #276018

I have the Brother and the Vision. I can't see having just one. The vision comes in handy when I can't tell if my stamp will fit, but the Brother does give a laser sharp impression.

Reply by Dave_CA on 1/31/09 9:26am
Msg #276043

Get the Brother. I did and I think it make a much better looking impression.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 2/1/09 4:34pm
Msg #276160

I bought mine from an old-timer, one-man shop down the street, where I could pick it up. I bought his best stamp but I don't know what kind it is (it only says M240 - or M40? - on it). It also gives a very clear impression, but I had the opposite experience. I learned that on a very solid, rigid surface, I get blank spots. I get the best impressions when I stamp on a solid surface with just a bit of give in it. (Never thought to try a mouse pad, but I don't normally carry one around with me when I'm doing signings. ) What works well for me (thankfully) is on the pages of the MoJo when I have it open or on top of a neat stack of documents. Too much give, and naturally, I also get an incomplete stamp.

I"m glad to see this thread because I've been wondering about this myself. It's also a good reminder that I should re-ink again, too!