How to take a fingerprint &
send it to us

Items required:

  • A blank piece of white A4 copy paper.
  • A black stamp pad used in normal rubber stamp printing or art stamp.
  • A clean dry finger.
  • A little patience.

Seven Steps for the perfect fingerprint:

  1. Layout a blank page of  A4 copy paper at the edge of a table in a landscape  format.
  2. Place the finger to be fingerprinted onto the stamp pad starting at the side  of the finger.
  3. Roll the finger over the pad from one side to the other and lift straight off  the pad.
  4. Using the same motion and a firm but light pressure, place the side of the  finger onto the edge of the paper, roll from one side to the other side and  lift the finger off the paper.
  5. Without using the stamp pad again place the finger back onto the paper    and roll the finger from side to side and lift off.
  6. Continue this along the edge of the sheet until the fingerprint image  becomes light in colour.  This should be between 6 to 10 images.
  7. The ideal print is generally obtained about mid point along the range.

Sending the fingerprints to us:

  • Write your name on the sheet. If you are sending more than one sheet, clearly mark the name of the person whose fingerprint you have taken.
  • Post the sheets to us. Remember to keep the page flat.
  • Bring the sheet into our offices.
  • Scan the sheet and send it to us. Minimum 600 DPI. Scan image as greyscale.
  • Do NOT compress the files or send as low resolution as we will not be able to use the images.

Things to avoid when taking prints:

  • Brushing the finger over the paper causing smudging.
  • Using a freshly inked stamp pad or ‘wet’ stamp pad.
  • Pressing the finger heavily onto the paper.
  • Rolling the finger more than once over the paper in one position.
  • Hand filling any missing lines with a writing instrument.
  • Folding the paper before the ink has had sufficient time to dry.