Stamping

Hi Everyone: I have a stamp with which I mark my money but I have only been marking the one side. Do you usually mark both sides of the bill?

Definately mark both sides.
Try to find a clear area on the bill so it isn't frowned upon..

Thx. I will definitely be stamping both sides now. I do use an open space but my stamp is quite little so have been thinking of getting a bigger one saying "track this with me at www.cdn-money.com". Right now it only has the website on it with 3 stars underneath.

Both sides for me. A small black one on the front and a larger red one on the back.

I know the Queen's face is off-limits, as are any security spots, ie: the gold maple leafs, the spot where you hold the note up to see the whole picture/holograph, etc.

this is a personal choice but there are things to consider. one is that stamping over security features will likely hasten a note being sent for destruction… it just defeats the purpose. using a large stamp or stamping in a prominent place increases visibility but sometimes to our detriment – a stamp that obliterates either the beauty or function of the banknote may start to "deface" rather than "enhance". some have stamped across faces or foreheads. (being folliclely-challenged, myself, i would never do that to poor Sir Wilfred!) some of us stamp only the back – this is a good choice for when banks and other establishments hassle trackers inappropriately and we just want to avoid the fight. but this certainly hampers the chances of a stamped note being recognised.

as with most things, you do what you are comfortable with and what you feel will work. when notes are removed from circulation because of inappropriate stamping, well… that just doesn't serve anyone. myself… i stamp both sides. i have a fairly small stamp (and no, i do NOT have "stamp-envy" :) ) and i do my best to avoid inappropriate locations. it gets more difficult as they add more security features, but i've found that the metallic strip gives a perfect backing to my stamp on the opposite side of the note (especially on 20s). again, your mileage may vary!

Hi and thanks for advice. I don't stamp over any security stuff and like you said, a bigger stamp may do that though. As for stamping both sides, I have run into a couple of store clerks that happened to spot it on the back and wondered if they were counterfeit, so thats why I was only stamping the back so they were apt not to spot it so easily. Whats with these $5.00 notes, they do not like to be stamped and sometimes make a mess as the ink smears, then I feel BAD!!

The new $5.00 notes are coated to make them last longer. Your best bet is to invest in an ink pad that uses StazOn ink. They run about $13.00. I now that Michael's (Saskatoon/Regina) carries them but not sure of other stores….

Yup, I have the StazOn Ink and it still smears on the 5's. Hope they don't decide to coat the other bills as the 5's drive me crazy trying to stamp them.

I find that StazOn needs a minimum 3 minutes drying time before it can be handled (or turned over to stamp the other side!) (the directions suggest 3-5 minutes) after that, you can't smear it with a garden hose!

I know what you mean…… :o)

Thats why I think I might need a bit bigger stamp as I cannot lift it off the bill right when I stamp it without smearing most of the time. Very frustrating to say the least!

I have also found the 'smearing' problem with the fronts of the new $5's. I purchased a "make your own stamp" kit from Staples and use that with the 'Stazon' ink but lately I have quit marking the fronts of those notes because you have to be very careful when you stamp them cause the stamp will slide on the note and smear it right off the bat!

I getshya! Same on the back of those nasty little 5's. Think I will just start printing and not stamping on the $5 note now because of that problem and I don't like to make a mess on them as sometimes happens with the ink.