Est. 2026 · Price: FreeEditor-at-large: The Hedgehog

Stationery Times

Best Stamps for Journals and Planners: 28 Picks

By · Published · 8 min read

Compiled from 28 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research

Quick answer

On published specs, the Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp is the best date stamp for journals, with its ink pad inside. Kodomo no Kao's Pochitto6 packs six tiny planner icons in one stick, Sanby's eric stamps decorate, King Jim's Kori Jirushi is clear so you aim by eye, and VersaFine Onyx Black is the pad to start with.

On this page11 sections
Nine stamps and a Delicata S ink pad standing side by side to scale, from the 104 mm Midori rotating date stamp to the 14 mm Pochitto Pick! stamp
Ten of the picks, front view, widths and heights to scale (1 mm = 1.7 px); the stamps range from 12 mm to 104 mm tall. Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.

Products compared

  1. Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp set to 10·20, beside its ink pad and a page with two colored date printsNo. 1Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp, Flower$$$Read the guide →
  2. Shachihata connecting calendar stamp assembled from seven columns of pieces, beside a printed monthNo. 2Shachihata connecting number stamp, perpetual calendar, English$$$Read the guide →
  3. Three Sanby eric date stamp bodies drawn to scale: S 103 mm, M 127 mm and L 147 mm tallNo. 3Sanby eric Date Stamp, S$$$Read the guide →
  4. Midori Paintable Stamp Habit Tracker beside a sticky note stamped with a 31-day grid colored in mintNo. 4Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker$$Read the guide →
  5. Midori Paintable Stamp Half Size beside a page stamped with its Time Tracker design and colored inNo. 5Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Half Size$$Read the guide →
  6. isshoni. Point Stamp Flat, 30 × 30 × 13 mm, and Stick, 86 × 19 × 16 mm, drawn to scale with an 11 mm imprint close-upNo. 6isshoni. Point Stamp Flat, To Do$$Read the guide →
  7. Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6 push-button stamp stick beside a planner strip stamped with six small iconsNo. 7Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6 push-button stamp$$Read the guide →
  8. Kodomo no Kao Pochitto Pick! frame with six button stamps beside a planner strip stamped with colored iconsNo. 8Kodomo no Kao Pochitto Pick! push-button stamp$$Read the guide →
  9. Pink Pilot FriXion Stamp drawn to scale at 55 mm, beside a planner scrap with pink cat prints, one rubbed awayNo. 9Pilot FriXion Stamp, cat / pink$Read the guide →
  10. Iconic Meow Diary Stamp drawn to scale at 27 × 57 mm beside a planner page with three black cat-face impressionsNo. 10Iconic Meow Diary Stamp$$Read the guide →
  11. Two Sanby ANZ stamp blocks drawn to scale: S at 23 mm and L at 33 mmNo. 11Sanby ANZ Stamp, S$$Read the guide →
  12. A Sanby eric absorbent stamp drawn to scale, 35 by 38 mm, beside nine design slotsNo. 12Sanby eric Absorbent Stamp, nine designs$Read the guide →
  13. A Sanby eric acrylic stand stamp, 35 by 38 mm, beside the 111 by 78 mm eric stamp pad, drawn to scaleNo. 13Sanby eric Acrylic Stand Stamp, eight designs$$Read the guide →
  14. A Sanby ob1 stand stamp, 30 by 48.5 mm, with its 21 mm square face and 32 by 50 mm caseNo. 14Sanby ob1 Acrylic Stand Character Stamp, five designs$$Read the guide →
  15. The five parts of a Sanby sealing wax set laid out: handle, spoon, candle, 25 mm stamp and wax pillsNo. 15Sanby Sealing Wax Set, eric$$$Read the guide →
  16. Kodomo no Kao #Techo Hanko-bu wooden stamp drawn to scale at 30 mm beside a planner page with a stamped weather boxNo. 16Kodomo no Kao N #Techo Hanko-bu rubber stamp, Weekly Weather$$$Read the guide →
  17. King Jim Kori Jirushi clear stamps drawn to scale: small 22 mm, large 33 mm and long 66 mm squares, a six-piece box and a stamp padNo. 17King Jim Kori Jirushi transparent stamp, 6-piece Cat set$$Read the guide →
  18. Full-size VersaFine Onyx Black pigment ink pad with the lid open, beside a crisp stamped leaf sprigNo. 18VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad, Onyx Black$$Read the guide →
  19. A VersaFine Clair pad, 97 by 57 mm with a 76 by 35 mm inking face, beside a 66 mm re-inker bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 19Tsukineko VersaFine Clair Ink Pad$Read the guide →
  20. Two Shachihata Iromoyo ink pads, 80 × 58.8 mm, and four Iromoyo Warabe mini pads, 34.6 mm square, drawn to scale with an inset of the fine pad clothNo. 20Shachihata Iromoyo ink pad, Beni-iro red$$Read the guide →
  21. Full-size Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad with the lid lifted, beside a stamped star colored with a markerNo. 21Memento Dye Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black$$Read the guide →
  22. A Delicata S pad and an L pad, 34 by 34 mm and 99 by 68 mm, beside a re-inker bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 22Tsukineko Delicata S$$Read the guide →
  23. Tsukineko Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink pad, 99 mm wide with a shimmering gold pad, beside black card stamped with a gold starNo. 23Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, full size, Galaxy Gold$$Read the guide →
  24. A VersaCraft S pad and an L pad, 34 by 34 mm and 96 by 63 mm, beside a re-inker bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 24Tsukineko VersaCraft S (VKS-***) and L (VK-***) fabric ink pads and inker$Read the guide →
  25. Full-size StazOn Jet Black solvent ink pad with the lid lifted, beside a leaf stamped on a glossy swatchNo. 25StazOn Solvent Ink Pad, Jet Black$$Read the guide →
  26. A StazOn Pigment pad, 97 by 57 mm with a 76 by 35 mm face, beside a 72 mm inker bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 26Tsukineko StazOn Pigment Ink Pad$$Read the guide →
  27. A VersaMark L pad, 96 by 63 mm with a 76 by 47 mm face, beside a 66 mm re-inker bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 27Tsukineko VersaMark L (VM-001), VersaMark Dazzle Frost (VMD-002) and Champagne (VMD-003), and re-inkers$$Read the guide →
  28. An Essential Glue Pad set, 138 by 70 mm, beside a 67 mm refill glue bottle, drawn to scaleNo. 28Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad set$$Read the guide →
ProductBrand originMade inPrice range
Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp, Flower (35455006)MidoriJapanChina*Price range: $$$$20–75 per stamp or ink pad
Shachihata connecting number stamp, perpetual calendar, English (GRJ-5ACE)ShachihataJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$$20–75 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby eric Date Stamp, S (eric-date-S01), M (eric-date-M01) and L (eric-date-L01)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$$20–75 per stamp or ink pad
Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006)MidoriJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Half Size (Time Tracker, 35511006)MidoriJapanChina*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
isshoni. Point Stamp Flat, To Do (S2487)DAIGOJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6 push-button stamp (Schedule, 1850-002)Kodomo no KaoJapanChina*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Kodomo no Kao Pochitto Pick! push-button stamp (Notebook Motifs, 1802-009)Kodomo no KaoJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Pilot FriXion Stamp, cat / pink (SPF-12-44P)PilotJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per stamp or ink pad
Iconic Meow Diary StampIconicSouth KoreaChina*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby ANZ Stamp, S (ANZ-SS01 to ANZ-SS14) and L (ANZ-SL01 to ANZ-SL14)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby eric Absorbent Stamp, nine designs (eric-stamp-01 to eric-stamp-09)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby eric Acrylic Stand Stamp, eight designs (eric-ACST-01 to eric-ACST-08), and eric Stamp Pad (SPE-G22, SPE-S22, SPE-N22)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby ob1 Acrylic Stand Character Stamp, five designs (ob1-acp-01 to ob1-acp-05)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Sanby Sealing Wax Set, eric (eric-slg-set01 to 03) and ob1 (ob1-slg-set01 to 03)SanbyJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$$20–75 per stamp or ink pad
Kodomo no Kao N #Techo Hanko-bu rubber stamp, Weekly Weather (0412-001)Kodomo no KaoJapanChina*Price range: $$$$20–75 per stamp or ink pad
King Jim Kori Jirushi transparent stamp, 6-piece Cat set (CLSS-005)King JimJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad, Onyx Black (VF-82; full size)VersaFineJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko VersaFine Clair Ink Pad (VF-CLA-101 to 951) and Clair re-inker (RF-000-101 to 951)TsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per stamp or ink pad
Shachihata Iromoyo ink pad, Beni-iro red (HAC-1-R)ShachihataJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Memento Dye Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black (ME-900; full size)MementoJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko Delicata S (DES-***) and L (DE-***) metallic ink pads and re-inkers (RC-***)TsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, full size, Galaxy Gold (BR-000-091)BrillianceJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko VersaCraft S (VKS-***) and L (VK-***) fabric ink pads and inkerTsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $under $5 per stamp or ink pad
StazOn Solvent Ink Pad, Jet Black (SZ-031; full size and Midi)StazOnJapanJapan*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko StazOn Pigment Ink Pad (SZ-PIG-001 to 091) and inker (RZ-PIG-001 to 091)TsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko VersaMark L (VM-001), VersaMark Dazzle Frost (VMD-002) and Champagne (VMD-003), and re-inkersTsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad set (GP-002) and refill glue (RP-002)TsukinekoJapanNot stated*Price range: $$$5–20 per stamp or ink pad
Notes on these facts
  • Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp, Flower (35455006): Made by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo). Made in China: Midori's Japanese online store gives 原産国 (country of origin) MADE IN CHINA for every design we checked: Flower (35455006), Frame (35454006), Stationery (35456006), Animal Speech Bubble (35457006) and Forest Animal (35453006). Source. Price: example listing. Released: Midori's English site announced the rotating date stamp as a new product on May 25, 2022; the Paintable rotating design stamps came first, in 2020.
  • Shachihata connecting number stamp, perpetual calendar, English (GRJ-5ACE): Made by Shachihata Inc. (Nagoya). Country of manufacture not stated: Shachihata's catalog page lists sizes, weights, JAN and price but not the country of manufacture, and the Amazon US listing doesn't state it either. Price: example listing. Released: Shachihata's February 18, 2026 release says the connecting number stamp launched in 2023 in two types, numbering and perpetual calendar; we didn't find the exact date for the English calendar.
  • Sanby eric Date Stamp, S (eric-date-S01), M (eric-date-M01) and L (eric-date-L01): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006): Made by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Midori's Japanese online store doesn't state a country of origin on the Habit Tracker page (35392006). It gives MADE IN CHINA for several Half Size Paintable Stamps, but that isn't a statement about this stamp, so check the pack. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Designphil's press release dates the launch of the pre-inked Paintable Stamp range, 20 designs including the Habit Tracker, to June 25, 2020.
  • Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Half Size (Time Tracker, 35511006): Made by Designphil Inc. (Tokyo). Made in China: Midori's Japanese online store gives 原産国 (country of origin) MADE IN CHINA for the Time Tracker (35511006), Cat (35504006), Vertical (35512006) and To Do List (35513006) Half Size stamps. Source. Price: example listing.
  • isshoni. Point Stamp Flat, To Do (S2487): Made by Daigo Corporation (Osaka). Made in Japan: bungu.store's listing says made in Japan; Daigo's October 15, 2026 release and Yoseka's listing don't state it. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6 push-button stamp (Schedule, 1850-002): Made by Kodomo no Kao Co., Ltd.. Made in China: Kodomo no Kao's Japanese product pages for the Pochitto6 (1800 series) state 中国製, made in China. The Journal Shop's listing gives Japan instead; we use the maker's statement. We didn't find the country restated on the 1850-series renewal page. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Kodomo no Kao's product page for the first 12 designs is dated November 24, 2021; three more designs followed on June 24, 2022, and the line was later renewed as the 1850 series.
  • Kodomo no Kao Pochitto Pick! push-button stamp (Notebook Motifs, 1802-009): Made by Kodomo no Kao Co., Ltd.. Country of manufacture not stated: Kodomo no Kao's launch page and its own online store (Stamp Ripple) list sizes, materials and print life but not the country of manufacture, and the Amazon US listing doesn't state it either. Kodomo no Kao lists its Pochitto6 as made in China; we don't assume the same for the Pick!. Check the package. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Kodomo no Kao announced the Pochitto Pick! on June 21, 2024 and said the 12 designs would reach stores in turn from mid-July 2024.
  • Pilot FriXion Stamp, cat / pink (SPF-12-44P): Made by Pilot Corporation (Japan). Country of manufacture not stated: Pilot's Japanese web catalog and its 2014 and 2026 press releases give the size, weight and materials but not the country of manufacture. Released: Japanese launch date in Pilot's press release of December 1, 2014. The cat design is a later addition; Pilot doesn't date individual designs in its catalog.
  • Iconic Meow Diary Stamp: Made by Iconic Design Co., Ltd. ((주)아이코닉디자인, Seoul). Made in China: Iconic's legally required product notice on 10x10 (read October 22, 2026) lists 제조국 또는 원산지: 중국 OEM, meaning made in China for Iconic under contract. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Sanby ANZ Stamp, S (ANZ-SS01 to ANZ-SS14) and L (ANZ-SL01 to ANZ-SL14): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Sanby eric Absorbent Stamp, nine designs (eric-stamp-01 to eric-stamp-09): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Sanby eric Acrylic Stand Stamp, eight designs (eric-ACST-01 to eric-ACST-08), and eric Stamp Pad (SPE-G22, SPE-S22, SPE-N22): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Sanby ob1 Acrylic Stand Character Stamp, five designs (ob1-acp-01 to ob1-acp-05): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Sanby Sealing Wax Set, eric (eric-slg-set01 to 03) and ob1 (ob1-slg-set01 to 03): Made by Sanby Co., Ltd. (Osaka). Country of manufacture not stated: Sanby's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Sanby is an Osaka company with production bases listed in Thailand and Taiwan, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Kodomo no Kao N #Techo Hanko-bu rubber stamp, Weekly Weather (0412-001): Made by Kodomo no Kao Co., Ltd.. Made in China: The Amazon US listing for 0412-001 gives the country of origin as China. Kodomo no Kao's #Techo Hanko-bu page doesn't state the country; the maker lists its Pochitto6 stamps as made in China too. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Kodomo no Kao's February 21, 2024 post announced the renewed #Techo Hanko-bu range, 24 designs, for March 2024.
  • King Jim Kori Jirushi transparent stamp, 6-piece Cat set (CLSS-005): Made by King Jim Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: King Jim's news release, its two PR TIMES releases and its online store pages give sizes, materials and prices but no country of manufacture. Price: example listing.
  • VersaFine Pigment Ink Pad, Onyx Black (VF-82; full size): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan); sold in the US under its Imagine name. Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product pages don't state a country of manufacture, and the retailer pages we could load for the Onyx Black pad give none. An eBay.de listing cited in an earlier version said Japan, but it no longer loads. For the VersaFine Clair line, The Journal Shop says made in Japan. Tsukineko's company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington, producing since 1994, so check the box. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Tsukineko VersaFine Clair Ink Pad (VF-CLA-101 to 951) and Clair re-inker (RF-000-101 to 951): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing. Released: Tsukineko's company history lists VersaFine Clair and Delicata as announced in 2017.
  • Shachihata Iromoyo ink pad, Beni-iro red (HAC-1-R): Made by Shachihata Inc. (Nagoya). Made in Japan: Circle Tape, a Hong Kong retailer, lists both the Iromoyo and the Iromoyo Warabe as made in Japan. Shachihata's catalog pages list sizes, weights, JAN codes and prices but not the country of manufacture. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Shachihata's catalog gives February 4, 2020 for the launch colors, October 1, 2021 for five added colors and November 7, 2022 for the Warabe mini; a PR TIMES release dates five more colors to February 20, 2024.
  • Memento Dye Ink Pad, Tuxedo Black (ME-900; full size): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan); sold in the US under its Imagine name. Made in Japan: Rittagraf, a European retailer, lists the Memento ink pad with a 7.7 × 4.7 cm inking surface (the full-size pad) as made in Japan. Tsukineko's product pages don't state a country of manufacture; its Japanese company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary, Tsukineko, Inc., producing in Redmond, Washington, since 1994, so check the box. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Tsukineko Delicata S (DES-***) and L (DE-***) metallic ink pads and re-inkers (RC-***): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing. Released: Tsukineko's company history lists Delicata as announced in 2017.
  • Tsukineko Brilliance pigment ink pad, full size, Galaxy Gold (BR-000-091): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan); sold in the US under its Imagine name. Made in Japan: The Amazon US listing for the Galaxy Gold full-size pad says "This product is manufactured in japan". Tsukineko's own product pages don't state a country; its company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama, and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington, so check the package. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Tsukineko VersaCraft S (VKS-***) and L (VK-***) fabric ink pads and inker: Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • StazOn Solvent Ink Pad, Jet Black (SZ-031; full size and Midi): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Japan). Made in Japan: Officeworks (Australia) lists Japan as the country of manufacture for a StazOn pad in Pumpkin (No. 92); we found no listing stating it for Jet Black specifically. Tsukineko's product pages don't state a country of manufacture. Its Japanese company history lists factories in Yoshikawa, Saitama (1986 and 1998), and a US subsidiary, TSUKINEKO, INC. of Redmond, Washington, that began production in 1994, so check the packaging. Source. Price: example listing.
  • Tsukineko StazOn Pigment Ink Pad (SZ-PIG-001 to 091) and inker (RZ-PIG-001 to 091): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing. Released: Tsukineko's company history lists StazOn Pigment as announced in 2019.
  • Tsukineko VersaMark L (VM-001), VersaMark Dazzle Frost (VMD-002) and Champagne (VMD-003), and re-inkers: Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad set (GP-002) and refill glue (RP-002): Made by Tsukineko Co., Ltd. (Tokyo). Country of manufacture not stated: Tsukineko's product page lists sizes, part numbers and prices but no country of manufacture. Its company history lists a factory in Yoshikawa, Saitama (built 1986) and a US subsidiary in Redmond, Washington that began production in 1994, so check the label on your copy. Price: example listing.
  • How we test and disclose samples: How we test stationery.
  • Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).

Key takeaways

  • Of the 17 stamps, 10 need no separate pad (self-inking, pre-inked or with a pad inside), 6 need one, and the Sanby sealing wax set uses wax instead.
  • The smallest prints are Kodomo no Kao's: Pochitto6 icons are about 5.5 mm and Pochitto Pick! icons about 6 mm, while the Shachihata calendar stamp prints a month at about 47 × 24 mm.
  • Stamp list prices run from ¥154 (about US$1.00) for the Pilot FriXion Stamp to ¥6,160 (about US$38.99) for the Sanby ob1 sealing wax set, as listed by their makers.
  • The 11 ink pads split into water-based dye (Memento), oil-based pigment (VersaFine Onyx Black and Clair, Iromoyo), water-based pigment (Delicata, Brilliance, VersaCraft) and solvent (both StazOn).
  • Midori's pre-inked Paintable stamps use oil-based black ink, so you can color over the print with water-based markers.

What are the best stamps for journals and planners?

Pick by job: Midori’s rotating date stamp for dates, Kodomo no Kao’s Pochitto6 for tiny planner icons, Sanby’s eric stamps for decoration, King Jim’s Kori Jirushi for placing a print by eye, and VersaFine Onyx Black as your first ink pad. Each is one of our guides.

How did we choose these picks?

We ranked only stamps and pads we have already written up, using each maker’s published specs, not hands-on tests. We grouped them by use and noted whether each needs a pad. Prices are Japanese list prices with a US dollar conversion, plus our $ to $$$$ band.

Which date and planner stamps are best?

The Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp is the best single date stamp, and the Shachihata connecting calendar stamp is the best for a whole month. The ten below range from a one-line stamp to a month grid.

Stamp What it prints Ink Band
Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp Date plus 1 of 12 symbols; 104 mm (4.1 in) tall body Pad inside, about 2,000 presses $$$
Shachihata connecting calendar stamp Any month, 47 × 24 mm (1.9 × 0.9 in) Separate pad $$$
Sanby eric Date Stamp Date; faces 18, 24, 36 mm (0.7, 0.9, 1.4 in) Separate pad $$$
Midori Habit Tracker Month grid; 61 mm (2.4 in) square Pre-inked, about 1,000 $$
Midori Half Size Ten designs; 61 × 30.5 mm (2.4 × 1.2 in) Pre-inked, about 1,000 $$
isshoni. Point Stamp Flat 30 mm (1.2 in); Stick 86 mm (3.4 in) Self-inking, 300 or 1,000 $$
Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6 Six icons; 77 mm (3 in) stick Self-inking, about 1,000 each $$
Kodomo no Kao Pochitto Pick! Six removable 14 mm (0.6 in) stamps Self-inking, about 1,000 each $$
Pilot FriXion Stamp Erasable; 55 mm (2.2 in) long Pre-inked $
Iconic Meow Diary Stamp Cat plus a word; 57 mm (2.2 in) long Pre-inked black $$

Midori’s oil-based black ink lets you color over the print with water-based markers. The Pilot FriXion Stamp costs ¥154 (about US$1.00) and its print rubs away with the eraser on the rear end.

The Sanby eric date can be left blank to work as a frame stamp. Pochitto Pick!’s stamps pop out so you can use one alone, which the Pochitto6 doesn’t allow.

Which character and decoration stamps are best?

Choose the Sanby eric absorbent stamp for decoration without a pad, and the Sanby ANZ series for characters you color in. Sanby suggests stamping ANZ in black.

Stamp Designs and size Ink Band
Sanby ANZ 28 characters; blocks 23 or 33 mm (0.9 or 1.3 in) Separate pad $$
Sanby eric absorbent Nine designs; 21 mm (0.8 in) face Self-inked, about 300, black $
Sanby eric acrylic stand Eight designs; 30 mm (1.2 in) face Separate pad $$
Sanby ob1 acrylic stand Five retro designs; 21 mm (0.8 in) face Self-inked, color matched $$
Sanby sealing wax set Three designs per line; 25 mm (1 in) seal Wax, 3 to 4 pills per seal $$$
Kodomo no Kao Hanko-bu 24 wooden stamps; 15 × 15 to 55 × 70 mm (0.6 × 0.6 to 2.2 × 2.8 in) Separate pad, any color $$$

The Hanko-bu band reflects a US import price; its Weekly Weather stamp is ¥605 (about US$3.80) in Japan. The sealing wax sets cost ¥5,830 (about US$36.90) for eric and ¥6,160 (about US$38.99) for ob1.

Is there a clear stamp worth getting?

King Jim’s Kori Jirushi is the one clear stamp here: every part is transparent, so you see the rubber face through the handle and place the print by eye. Sizes are small 22 × 22 mm, large 33 × 33 mm and long 22 × 66 mm (0.9, 1.3 and 2.6 in), all 18 mm (0.7 in) tall.

It went on sale May 24, 2024, with a small stamp at ¥530 (about US$3.40) before tax, and it needs a pad. King Jim sells a 35 × 35 mm pad in 8 colors, and Tsukineko warns that clear stamps may be damaged by StazOn ink, so test first.

Which ink pad is best: dye, pigment or permanent?

Start with VersaFine Onyx Black, an oil-based pigment pad for crisp detail; pick Memento dye to color over prints with alcohol markers, and StazOn for permanent marks on glass, metal or plastic. Tsukineko calls Memento the best choice for alcohol marker coloring.

The 11 ink pads sorted by ink type: one water-based dye, three oil-based pigment, three water-based pigment, two solvent and two special-effect pads
The 11 pads by ink type, as each guide states it (not to scale). Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times.
Pad Ink and use Dries Band
VersaFine Onyx Black Oil-based pigment, fine detail Fast; water-repellent once dry $$
VersaFine Clair Oil-based pigment, 42 colors 3 to 5 seconds $
Shachihata Iromoyo Oil-based pigment, 34 colors About 3 seconds on copy paper $$
Memento Tuxedo Black Water-based dye 3 to 5 seconds on art paper $$
Delicata Metallic pigment, 12 colors, dark paper 10 to 15 minutes $$
Brilliance Pearl and metallic pigment, 34 colors 10 to 15 minutes $$
VersaCraft Fabric pigment, heat-set with an iron Iron-set at 180 to 200 °C $
StazOn Permanent solvent ink 3 seconds to 5 minutes $$
StazOn Pigment Opaque solvent ink, 12 colors 3 seconds to 5 minutes $$
VersaMark Colorless; watermark and emboss 5 to 10 minutes $$
Essential Glue Pad Clear glue for foil and glitter About 15 minutes $$

Which ink pad goes with which stamp?

Use pigment on planner paper, dye if you’ll color over the print, and solvent only on plastic or glossy pages. Our Shachihata calendar and Hanko-bu guides both suggest VersaFine Onyx Black or Memento.

Where are these stamps and pads made?

Of the 28 picks, five say China (Midori’s rotating date and Half Size, Pochitto6, Meow and Hanko-bu), five say Japan (Point Stamp, Iromoyo, Memento, Brilliance, StazOn) and 18 state nothing. Origins are as our guides cite them from makers and retailers; see Notes on these facts.

Frequently asked questions

Which of these stamps need no ink pad?

Ten of the 17: Midori's rotating date stamp (pad inside), Habit Tracker and Half Size, the isshoni. Point Stamp, Pochitto6, Pochitto Pick!, the Pilot FriXion Stamp, the Iconic Meow stamp, and Sanby's eric absorbent and ob1 stamps.

Can you color over a stamped print?

Yes, with the right ink. Midori's oil-based black ink takes water-based markers, VersaFine Clair is water-resistant once dry, and Tsukineko calls Memento the best choice for alcohol markers. Sanby suggests stamping its ANZ characters in black and coloring them in.

What is the smallest print among these stamps?

The Kodomo no Kao Pochitto6, whose six icons are about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) square. The Pochitto Pick! icons are about 6 mm.

Is there a stamp that prints any month?

Yes, the Shachihata connecting calendar stamp (GRJ-5ACE). Its 38 rubber pieces snap together to build a month that prints about 47 × 24 mm (1.9 × 0.9 in), and it needs a separate pad.

Which ink pad works on glass, metal or plastic?

StazOn, a permanent solvent ink from Tsukineko. StazOn Pigment is the opaque version in 12 colors, recommended for glass, vinyl and metal. Both take 3 seconds to 5 minutes to dry.

Which ink pad shows up on dark paper?

Tsukineko's Delicata metallic pigment pad prints crisply on dark paper in 12 colors, and its Brilliance pearl and metallic pigment pad is made to stand out on dark card in 34 colors.

Can you erase a mis-stamped print?

Only with the Pilot FriXion Stamp, whose thermo-sensitive ink rubs away with the eraser on its rear end. Pilot says the ink turns clear at about 65 °C (149 °F).

Which ink is safe on a clear stamp?

King Jim sells an oil-based pigment pad for its Kori Jirushi stamps and describes them as suited to several inks. Tsukineko warns that clear stamps may be damaged by StazOn ink, so test first.

Sources (28)

  1. Midori Paintable Rotating Date Stamp, Flower (35455006) (Midori Japan online store: Flower, date + 12 icons, 104 × 60 × 38 mm, about 2,000 presses, ¥3,520, made in China)
  2. Shachihata connecting number stamp, perpetual calendar, English GRJ-5ACE (Shachihata catalog: code 00059213, JAN 4974052592133, ¥3,100 plus tax, Shachi-iro, sizes and weights, joins up and down or across, upside-down for a blank, no built-in ink; read October 22, 2026)
  3. Sanby: eric Date Stamp (S, M and L sizes, 18, 24 and 36 mm faces, plastic case, stamp pad needed, tax-included prices and part numbers; read October 31, 2026)
  4. Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Habit Tracker (35392006) (Midori Japan online store, "Paintable Stamp, pre-inked, Habit Tracker": H61 × W61 × D19 mm, ABS + polycarbonate, PE face, oil-pigment black ink, about 1,000 prints, fits 70 mm sticky notes, ¥1,078 with tax)
  5. Midori Paintable Stamp Pre-Inked, Half Size, Time Tracker (35511006) (Midori Japan online store: Time Tracker, 30.5 × 61 × 19 mm, about 1,000 prints, stacking, ¥858, made in China)
  6. Daigo (Japanese): press release, isshoni. Point Stamp additions, October 15, 2026 (Flat: 12 designs, ¥900 before tax, 30×30×13 mm, ~300 prints; Stick: 8 types, ¥800 before tax, 86×19×16 mm, ~1,000 prints)
  7. Kodomo no Kao: Pochitto6 push-button self-inking stamp (W15 × D77 × H14 mm, 5.5 mm illustrations, pigment oil-based ink, 1,000 prints, ¥990, 1800-001 to 012, made in China; page read in full)
  8. Kodomo no Kao: Pochitto Pick! new product page (June 21, 2024: removable buttons, patent pending; ¥1,760; package W70 × H144 × D20 mm, case W21 × H97 × D18 mm, stamp W14 × D14 × H12 mm, stored W17 × D93 × H13 mm; 12 designs with JAN codes; stores from mid-July; page read in full)
  9. Pilot Japan web catalog: SPF-12-44P FriXion Stamp, cat / pink (JAN, ¥154, 55 × 14 × 14 mm, 4.2 g, resin; read October 22, 2026)
  10. Iconic (official Korean store): Meow Diary Stamp (₩4,200; designs 11 BYE to 20; 64 reviews; read October 22, 2026)
  11. Sanby: ANZ Stamp, Riceball Island (28 characters, S 23 mm and L 33 mm blocks, stamp pad needed, part numbers, tax-included prices; read October 31, 2026)
  12. Sanby: eric absorbent stamp (nine designs, 21 mm face, 35 × 35 × 38 mm, about 300 impressions, black ink, part numbers, 770 yen with tax; read October 31, 2026)
  13. Sanby: eric acrylic stand stamp (eight designs, 30 mm face, 35 × 35 × 38 mm, use a separate pad, hold the base, part numbers, 1,100 yen with tax; read October 31, 2026)
  14. Sanby: ob1 acrylic stand character stamp (five designs, 21 mm face, 30 × 30 × 48.5 mm, ink built in, clear PET case, part numbers, 1,320 yen with tax; read October 31, 2026)
  15. Sanby: eric sealing wax set and stamps (set contents, three designs, 25 mm faces, single stamps, wax pills, safety notes, part numbers, tax-included prices; read October 31, 2026)
  16. #Techo Hanko-bu relaunch (Kodomo no Kao, February 21, 2024: relaunch March 2024, 24 designs, plastic packaging dropped except 4-piece sets, item numbers, prices and stamp sizes; read in full October 22, 2026)
  17. King Jim (Japanese): news release, Kori Jirushi transparent stamp, April 11, 2024 (all parts transparent, sizes, launch May 24, 2024, prices before tax, target 380,000)
  18. Versa Fine | Oil-Based Pigment Ink (Tsukineko product page, English edition of tsukineko.co.jp, read in full: VF-000-082 99 × 68 × 19 mm, VF-SML-82 34 × 34 × 20 mm, UPCs)
  19. Tsukineko: VersaFine Clair (42 colors, 97 × 57 × 23 mm pad, 76 × 35 mm face, 3 to 5 second drying, uses, cautions, 780 yen before tax, re-inker 15 ml at 580 yen; read October 31, 2026)
  20. Shachihata (Japanese catalog): Iromoyo Beni-iro (HAC-1-R, JAN 4974052660436, ¥800 plus tax, launched February 4, 2020, 80 × 58.8 × 20.3 mm, 46 g, pad face 63 × 40 mm, refillable, 3-second drying, not for coated paper; 34 colors listed; read October 29, 2026)
  21. Tsukineko Japan: Memento water-based dye ink for paper (Dew Drop MD-900 ¥430 + tax, inker ¥540 + tax, acid-free water-based dye, drying time, recommended for alcohol markers)
  22. Tsukineko: Delicata (12 metallic colors, S 34 × 34 × 20 mm and L 99 × 68 × 19 mm pads, faces, uses, drying, cautions, prices before tax; read October 31, 2026)
  23. BRILLIANCE | Water-Based Pigment Ink for Paper (Tsukineko, English edition of tsukineko.co.jp: sizes, colors, item numbers, UPCs, drying time, applications, embossing)
  24. Tsukineko: VersaCraft (S 62 colors and L 36 colors, pad sizes, uses, heat-setting, fabric suitability table, prices before tax; read October 31, 2026)
  25. Tsukineko Japan: StazOn multi-surface fast-drying solvent ink (uses, drying time, cautions, SZ/SZM/SZR item numbers, JAN codes, sizes, prices)
  26. Tsukineko: StazOn Pigment (12 opaque solvent-ink colors, 97 × 57 × 23 mm pad, 76 × 35 mm face, surfaces, drying, cautions, prices before tax, inker 15 ml; read October 31, 2026)
  27. Tsukineko: VersaMark and VersaMark Dazzle (colorless oil ink, 96 × 63 × 20 mm pads, 76 × 47 mm face, drying, embossing, resist, prices before tax, re-inkers; read October 31, 2026)
  28. Tsukineko: Essential Glue Pad (clear water-based glue pad, GP-002 set 138 × 70 × 20 mm, 76 × 47 mm face, RP-002 refill glue, drying, foil steps, cautions, prices before tax; read October 31, 2026)

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