Buying Guide

Dater Stamp vs Non-Dater Stamp: Which One Does Your Business Need?

When you walk into any Kenyan office or government department, you'll see two types of stamps on desks: one with a built-in date display and one without. Both are self-inking — but they serve very different purposes. This guide helps you decide which is right for your business.

What Is a Dater Stamp?

A dater stamp (also called a date stamp or date-time stamp) combines your custom text — company name, "RECEIVED", "APPROVED", "PAID" — with an automatically adjustable date band. You set the day, month, and year by rotating a wheel inside the stamp, and it prints both your message and the date in one impression.

Dater stamps are self-inking, meaning the ink pad is built into the stamp body. They typically come in rectangular shapes (56×33mm being the most common in Kenya) and also in round formats (41mm diameter).

What Is a Non-Dater Stamp?

A non-dater stamp contains only your custom text and/or logo — no date component. It produces the same impression every time you use it. The text could be anything: your company name, address, phone, logo, "CONFIDENTIAL", "COPY", "APPROVED", or a signature block.

Non-dater stamps come in more sizes and shapes and are typically cheaper than dater stamps because they have fewer moving parts.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	Dater Stamp	Non-Dater Stamp
Built-in date	Yes — adjustable	No
Custom text	Yes	Yes
Price (Kenya)	From KSh 1,800	From KSh 1,200
Common sizes	56×33mm, 41mm round	58×21mm, 47×18mm, 69×25mm
Ink replacement	KSh 500	KSh 400–500
Moving parts	Date band wheels	None
Impression lifespan	50,000+ impressions	50,000+ impressions

Which Industries Use Each Stamp in Kenya?

Dater Stamps Are Standard In:

• Banks and SACCOs — stamping deposit slips, loan applications, and correspondence with the received date
• Legal firms — marking when documents were filed or received
• Hospitals and clinics — date-stamping prescriptions, patient records, and delivery notes
• Government ministries and county offices — all incoming correspondence gets a "RECEIVED + date" stamp
• Universities and schools — marking assignments, exam papers, and admission documents

Non-Dater Stamps Are Used For:

• Small and medium businesses — stamping invoices, delivery notes, and receipts with company name and contacts
• Retailers — branding packaging and receipts
• Professionals — signature stamps for doctors, lawyers, and engineers
• Accountants — "PAID", "VERIFIED", "AUDITED" approval stamps

Can I Have Both on the Same Stamp?

No — a dater stamp includes a fixed date band mechanism, and a non-dater stamp has static text. They are fundamentally different physical products. However, many businesses order both: a non-dater stamp for everyday branding and a dater stamp for receiving and approving documents.

Prices in Kenya (2025)

Product	Size	Price (KSh)
Dater Stamp Rectangle	56×33mm	1,800
Dater Stamp Round	41mm	1,800
Non-Dater Stamp Small	58×21mm	1,300
Non-Dater Stamp Medium	47×18mm	1,200
Non-Dater Stamp Large	69×25mm	1,500

All prices include a free design proof. No extra charges for logo inclusion.

Related: Dater Stamp Kenya · Non-Dater Stamp Kenya · Full Price List 2025 · All Articles