Using Custom Dynamic PDF Stamps in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader

There is sometimes a misconception about how a custom dynamic stamp works in the PDF environment. Here is a short video that demonstrates how such a stamp gets applied:

As you can see, the custom dialog that collects the data that will be placed as part of the stamp pops up after the stamp is placed. Once all information is entered, and the “OK” button (how that button is labeled is up to the stamp’s implementation) is pressed, that data gets merged into the stamp and the stamp gets displayed. From that point on, that data can no longer be changed. It’s like placing a rubber stamp on a piece of paper. Once it’s there, it can no longer be modified. There are however a few things we can do with a PDF stamp: We can move the stamp, resize and rotate it – as shown in the video.

In the second part of the video, I am demonstrating how to use the “Stamp” tool button on the toolbar. In order to have this button available, you will need to add it to your toolbar. For more information about how to customize the Acrobat user interface, see for example here: http://blogs.adobe.com/acrolaw/2013/03/customizing-the-acrobat-xi-interface/

This article is not supposed to be a “tell all” story about dynamic stamps, I just wanted to demonstrate the basic workflow involved in placing a custom dynamic stamp. If you have questions about these types of stamps, please post in the comments.

This entry was posted in Acrobat, PDF and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

9 Responses to Using Custom Dynamic PDF Stamps in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader

  1. Phoenix says:

    How do I create dynamic stamps with multi entry items and get a pop up box as you did in this video. I’ve created a dynamic stamp but each item is a separate field entry but for some reason the dynamic stamp can not be inserted in to the PDF. Is there a better script. Really need help.

  2. Karl Heinz Kremer says:

    Phoenix, you can create a custom dialog via the Acrobat JavaScript app.execDialog() method. See here for more information: http://help.adobe.com/en_US/acrobat/acrobat_dc_sdk/2015/HTMLHelp/index.html#t=Acro12_MasterBook%2FJS_API_AcroJS%2Fapp_methods.htm%23TOC_execDialogbc-11&rhtocid=_6_1_8_6_1_10

  3. Hans says:

    Dear reader,
    I made a dynamic stamp in Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro. It works perfect. The user needs to fill three fields in a form and the result is added into the stamp.
    I want to use this stamp also in Adobe Reader 11 and it is not working completely, not all the information is added into the stamp.
    I hope you can help me

  4. Karl Heinz Kremer says:

    Hans, the dynamic stamp should also work in Reader. It’s possible that you are using a JavaScript function that is not available in the free Reader. You can setup Reader so that it will bring up the JavaScript console when an error occurs. This settings is in Reader’s Preferences>JavaScript.

  5. Hans says:

    Hello Karl Heinz,
    Thanks, I will try.

  6. Susan Noonan says:

    Sorry,,,
    I need to stamp the .pdf with the date received, not the date I’m viewing and/or placing the stamp. Therefore I need to be able to set the date each time. How do I do that please.

  7. Karl Heinz Kremer says:

    Susan, you need to create a custom dynamic stamp that uses a user interface to collect the data (in this case a date) that needs to be placed on the stamp. Take a look here at this tutorial: https://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/dynamic_stamp_secrets

    If you need help with the actual implementation, that’s a service I offer through my consulting business. Feel free to get in touch with me via email (my email address is on the “About” page).

  8. Cynthia Martinez says:

    Mr. Kremer,

    We are using Adobe Acrobat Pro. My coworker created an exhibit sticker in a pdf document to be imported as a custom stamp in the dynamic stamp. I browse to locate the pdf document, then pull it into dynamic stamp under comment, custom stamps, manage stamps — my stamp ends up rotating 90 degrees and enlarging. My coworker did the very same thing and her stamp stays straight.

    The issue appears to be with my computer/adobe. Previously, I imported other custom stamps like this one and have not come across this issues. I repaired Adobe to see if this would correct the problem, but it does not. Can you help me with this?

  9. Karl Heinz Kremer says:

    Cynthia, unfortunately, without having access to the stamp and both computers, it’s impossible to say what is going on. I assume that this was done with the same document.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *