Hi Tony,

Thanks for your inquiry. I'm going to assume that your customers might be sending you Word files, in which they've laid out what they want on their rubber stamp. Or they might be using Word or some other word-processing or page-layout software and converting to PDF before sending the file.

Since you mentioned scanning, one approach would be to print out the file and then scan the print and save as a JPG or TIFF file, making sure the resolution is 300 PPI.

More likely though, you would import these files directly into CorelDraw (File/Import). Importing Word files might cause some problems, though. Oftentimes, clients will use fonts that are not available on your system, and though the type would appear in Corel, the font could be wrong, and that could completely throw off the layout. If you save the Word file as a PDF file (that option is usually available in the Print dialogue box) and then import the PDF into Corel, then you should have no problems with the fonts.

When importing PDFs into CorelDraw, if asked, you do want to Convert to Bitmaps. In the menu bar is a Bitmaps option that allows you to make all kinds of adjustments to your imported file. Make sure Mode (Bitmaps/Mode) is set to either Bitmap (Black and White) or Grayscale. I would expect that most of your stamps are solid black, with no shades of gray in which I would use the Bitmap mode with resolution set to 300 PPI. Use Grayscale for any halftones if that is even possible with rubber stamps, also making sure the resolution is 300 PPI.

Most of any adjustments you would need to make can be done within CorelDraw under Bitmaps in the Menu bar. Try spending some time getting to know those features better, and it should save a lot of time in the long run.

I hope this helps. I wish you the best with your stamp business.