Carimbo Stamp

Press Kit

Unique Properties

A stamp to identify its owner and his work and take it everywhere. The inner part represents Igor's confusing and beautiful creative process, while the round frame wraps it up in fluidity and gives it purpose. These two combined build a texture the ink can flow through, providing the perfect support to his personal brand. At last, Minion Pro gracefully writes the contact information.

Dimensions & Packaging

Measuring 38,1 x 38,1 mm (1,5 x 1,5 in), this stamp was made to fit anywhere, from Post-its to envelopes, and yet bear appropriate readability. It's a point to attract the eye and it's a circle to seize space.

Tags

stamp, carimbo, paper, tinta, design, signature, custom made, business card, ink, rubber stamp

Production Technology

Tools used for the completion of the project itself include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Bridge, a MacBook Pro and a Wacom Intuos tablet. Later, Adobe Photoshop, a Nikon D3200 and some Nikkor lenses were additionally used for the presentation construction.

Design Challenge

One of the most challenging aspects was whether a design so intricate could be done. The question was about it being either feasible or just a bleed-prone design. It should produce sufficient clarity, not only to its ornaments but to type these supported. However, the crucial point was the availability of suppliers that could deliver the stamp. Manual etching was not a practical option, so finding a capable rubber-stamp maker was key. Those aspects, once met, proved Carimbo possible.

Project Duration

The project began in about August 2014 in Caruaru. Occasional sketching and research filled the following five to six months leading into 2015. The final design was, then, worked on, tested, its corresponding rubber stamp ordered. Photos were taken, assets were made. A month or so later, Carimbo was published in March 2015.

Operation Flow

You make sure the rubber stamp is clean, as not to yield unwanted artifacts. Dab it on an ink pad a few times, on several spots to get a thorough spread. To remove any excess and so avoid bleeds, do it over briefly right before stamping. Now press it on a clean flat paper surface. Apply even pressure across the mount in a gentle but firm manner. Wait, then pull the stamp up with a swift motion. Tilt the handle with caution towards one direction, if a specific part of the print lacks legibility.

Research

The functioning and visual language behind stamps were under careful observation. It was to understand how they work and their characteristics. Research demonstrated how some designs often aid inherent stamping limitations. By using ornaments perhaps too complex for such a limited medium, they become canvases for misprints. The outcome is a unique textured combination of deliberate features and pure chance. This reasoning informs engraving attributes, e.g. contrast, as it did this project's.

Inspiration

The stamp is a signature. That's the sentence that best summarizes this project. At first, the intention was to find a way of approaching the offline world. Something like a business card, only classier, cheaper and environment friendly. So a stamp (carimbo) was the choice. A stamp to identify its owner and his work and take it everywhere. A signature.

Image Credits

Image #1: Art Director Igor Pinheiro, Last Slide, 2015.
Image #2: Art Director Igor Pinheiro, Paper, 2015.
Image #3: Art Director Igor Pinheiro, Stamp 2, 2015.
Image #4: Art Director Igor Pinheiro, Frame, 2015.
Image #5: Art Director Igor Pinheiro, Stamp, 2015.

Patents

Copyrights belong to Igor Pinheiro, 2015.

Colors of Carimbo Stamp