Managing Stamps

Administrators can upload, configure, and manage stamps for all users within e-PlanREVIEW® (EPR), all while controlling staff access to stamps. Reviewers (and others) can then add stamps to documents right from the EPR Review page.


The Stamps Page

Go to Settings > Configuration > Stamps in the Navigation menu to open the Stamps page. From here, Admin users are able to create and manage two different kinds of stamps: Standard (image-based) stamps and Custom (template-based) stamps.


Standard Stamps

Standard (image-based) stamps allow Admins to upload an image for others to use when stamping documents. These stamps are named for easy identification and can be configured to display date, project number, and/or user name information on the documents automatically along with the image itself.

 

Creating a Standard Stamp

To create a standard stamp:

  1. Click (Add) on the lower right corner of the stamps table.

  2. Click (Upload an image from my computer) to create a standard stamp.

  3. In the new form, either click on to search for a file or drag-and-drop an image into the field on the right.

    1. The name of the uploaded file will be set as the stamp Name automatically.

  4. The Firm field should autofill with the Agency information, though it can be changed if necessary.

  5. The stamp toggle should be set to Active so it can be used by others.

    1. Click on the toggle to switch it to read “This stamp is Not Active,” which means no one will be able to use it.

  6. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Datestamp to automatically show the date and time whenever the stamp is placed on a document.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off datestamp information.

  7. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Project Number to automatically show the project number whenever the stamp is placed on a document.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off project number information.

  8. The stamp toggle should be set to Display User First and Last name to automatically show the first and last name of the user who placed the stamp on a document.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off user first and last name information.

  9. The final two toggles are alternatives to each other and only one can be ‘On’ at a time:

    1. Choose between displaying information below the stamp image (recommended) or displaying it in the center of the stamp image (which usually requires stamps to be designed with this in mind).

  10. Click SAVE to complete the stamp.

Once a stamp has been created it can be assigned to one or more users from their profile’s STAMPS tab.

 

Recommendations for Standard Stamps

Keeping the following in mind for best standard stamp quality:

Recommendation

Reason(s)

Recommendation

Reason(s)

  1. Keep stamp names simple.

The name of the uploaded file will be set as the stamp Name automatically, so change the filename as needed before uploading a stamp.

  1. Use the .PNG file format for stamps.

Although EPR accepts either .PNG or .JPEG image formats, .PNG is strongly encouraged because it can have a transparent background. Transparent backgrounds makes it easier to view document information behind a stamp once placed.

  1. Minimum image dimensions should be 800 x 800 pixels and 300 dpi.

Stamps can be resized while being placed on a document, so starting with a larger stamp is better. A large stamp that needs to be shrunk down retains sharpness, while a small stamp that needs to be stretched larger may look blurry.

  1. Images that clearly indicate Approval, Conditional Approval, Rejection/Resubmittal, or other concise messages are best.

Stamps with graphics and/or few words are ideal to convey clear and easy-to-read information to customers. For stamps that require significant text, consider creating a custom stamp instead.

 

Below are some examples of various kinds of standard (image-based) stamps.

Compliant Stamp (Solid)

Approval Stamp (Transparent)

Label Stamp

Personal Stamp

Rejection Stamp

Compliant Stamp (Solid)

Approval Stamp (Transparent)

Label Stamp

Personal Stamp

Rejection Stamp

1900 x 1600

820 x 800

1280 x 800

800 x 800

2900 x 1200


Custom Stamps

Custom (template-based) stamps allow Admins to select between three pre-existing, text-heavy templates to then customize for use by agency staff. Each template can be used more than once, with Admins able to configure information for each stamp created from a template.

 

Custom Stamp Templates

There are three custom stamp templates:

  1. Reviewer - default, which provides a large blank “Content” field for reviewers to input whatever text they want to include in the center of a standardized stamp format.

  2. Reviewer - preset 1, which provides some pre-written text in the “Content” field that can be modified as needed.

  3. Reviewer - Multi-field preset, which replaces the “Content” text field entirely and instead provides the ability to list between one and twelve custom fields in the center of the stamp.

 

Creating a “Reviewer - Default” or “Preset 1” Stamp

“Reviewer - Default” and “Preset 1” stamps are useful whenever a large text-block needs to be included in a stamp. Unlike standard (imaged-based) stamps, the text size for these stamps will not change even if the stamp is enlarged or shrunk, meaning it will always be readable by the customer.

To create a custom text-block stamp:

  1. Click (Add) on the lower right corner of the stamps table.

  2. Click (Create a custom stamp template) to create a standard stamp.

  3. Type in a Stamp Name.

  4. The stamp toggle should be set to Active so it can be used by others.

  5. In the Template field, select either “Reviewer - Default” or “Reviewer - Preset 1.”

  6. Type in a Stamp Title that will display at the top of the stamp.

  7. Type in a Status value that will display beneath the Stamp Title.

  8. Depending on which template is selected, either:

    1. Type into the Content field the text that you want to display in the center of the stamp, or

    2. Review the text already supplied in the Content field and modify as needed.

  9. The Firm field should autofill with the Agency information, though it can be changed if necessary.

  10. The Address field should autofill with the Agency information, though it can be changed if necessary.

  11. Click Color to select or change the color used for the stamp frame and status.

  12. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Date to show the date a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off date information.

  13. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Project Number to show the project number when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off project number information.

  14. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Name to show the first and last name of the user who placed a stamp.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off project number information.

  15. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Address to show the Address information when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off user first and last name information.

  16. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Firm to show the Firm information when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off user first and last name information.

  17. Click SAVE to complete the stamp.

Custom Stamp Template (for Text-Block Stamps)

The “Custom Stamp Template” displays a preview image of what a stamp will look like based on the current configuration choices.

 

Creating a “Multi-Field Preset” Stamp

Multi-Field Preset stamps are useful whenever a reviewer has to refer to a list of specific items within a stamp. For example: if a reviewer needs to check off items from a general checklist that they reuse frequently, use this template.

To create a custom multi-field preset stamp:

  1. Click (Add) on the lower right corner of the stamps table.

  2. Click (Create a custom stamp template) to create a standard stamp.

  3. Type in a Stamp Name.

  4. The stamp toggle should be set to Active so it can be used by others.

  5. In the Template field, select “Reviewer - Multi-field Preset.”

  6. Type in a Stamp Title that will display at the top of the stamp.

  7. Type in a Status value that will display beneath the Stamp Title.

  8. The Firm field should autofill with the Agency information, though it can be changed if necessary.

  9. The Address field should autofill with the Agency information, though it can be changed if necessary.

  10. Click Color to select or change the color used for the stamp frame and status.

  11. For Field #1 - Field #12:

    1. Click whether a field should be Visible (fields 1-6 display on the left, fields 7-12 display on the right of the stamp).

    2. Type in a Field Name.

    3. Type in a Field Label.

    4. Choose a Field Type:

      1. Text allows users to write text.

      2. Dropdown allows users to set a “Field Value” and add a list of “Field Options” which can later be selected from the dropdown.

      3. Checkbox allows users to check a box manually (or have it checked by default).

      4. Date allows users to input a date value.

  12. Next, the stamp toggle should be set to Display Date to show the date a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off date information.

  13. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Project Number to show the project number when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off project number information.

  14. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Name to show the first and last name of the user who placed a stamp.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off project number information.

  15. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Address to show the Address information when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off user first and last name information.

  16. The stamp toggle should be set to Display Firm to show the Firm information when a stamp is placed.

    1. Click on the toggle to turn off user first and last name information.

  17. Click SAVE to complete the stamp.

Custom Stamp Template (for Multi-Field Preset Stamps)

 


Assigning Stamps to Users

Once stamps have been created, they are still not automatically accessible by review staff. Instead, Admins will need to assign stamps to users' profiles before those users have access to them. This gives Admins more control over who has access to which stamp(s) and provides additional security when dealing with sensitive or user-specific stamps (such as stamps that include signatures).

To assign one or more stamps to a user:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Security > Users in the navigation panel.

  2. Search for a user account by scrolling through or typing their email address directly into the email column header.

  3. Click on (right-facing arrow) to open the user profile.

  4. Click on the STAMPS tab.

  5. Click (Add) on the bottom right.

  6. Allow the “Select Stamps” pop-up time to load, then select one or more stamps that appear.

  7. Click CONFIRM to add the stamp(s) to the selected user’s profile and close the pop-up.

  8. Click SAVE in the STAMPS tab to confirm.

Stamps Tab

Select Stamps Pop-up

Stamps Tab

Select Stamps Pop-up

To remove an individual user’s ability to keep using a stamp, go to the user’s profile and from the STAMPS subtab, click (Delete) then SAVE. To quickly remove all user’s access to a stamp, see Inactivating or Deleting a Stamp.


Using Stamps

Once a stamp has been added to a user’s profile, it becomes available in the “Select Stamps” window that pops up whenever the user clicks on the Stamp Tool ( ) on the review page. Standard and custom stamps will provide different options to the user once they have been placed on a document, however.

Stamps remains available to a user for as long as the stamp and user both remain “Active” in EPR.

 

Using Standard (Image-based) Stamps

To place a standard stamp on a document in the review page:

  1. Navigate to the desired document page/sheet.

  2. Click on the Stamp Tool ( ) in the toolbar.

  3. In the “Select Stamps” window, click on the desired stamp.

  4. Click CONFIRM to go to draw mode.

  5. To place and size the stamp on the document, click once to define an initial endpoint and move your mouse cursor until the stamp is the desired size, then click again.

  6. In the “Stamp Options” pop-up, select where to place the stamp:

    1. On the Current Page, which places it on this page only.

    2. On All Pages, which places the stamp in the same location across every page of the document. (The stamp on each page can then be moved independently if necessary.)

    3. On the Current Page plus Range, which places it on this page along with all page numbers within the supplied range.

  7. Click CONTINUE to finish placing the stamp.

Any information configured to display along with the stamp should appear either beneath or in the center of the stamp.

The stamp event is recorded in the EPR Event Log (“Document – Stamp Insert”) along with the date, time and user who placed the stamp.

 

Using Custom (Template-based) Stamps

To place a custom stamp on a document in the review page:

  1. Navigate to the desired document page/sheet.

  2. Click on the Stamp Tool ( ) in the toolbar.

  3. In the “Select Stamps” window, click on the desired stamp.

  4. Click CONFIRM to open the editable template (unlike standard stamps, custom stamps can be edited in real time).

  5. For text-block stamps (“Reviewer - Default” or “Reviewer - Preset 1”):

    1. Users can modify the User Name, Date, Project Number, Content text block, Transparency (stamp background), as well as each Display toggle.

  6. For multi-field preset stamps:

    1. Users can modify the User Name, Date, Project Number, Transparency (stamp background), Field #1-12 information, as well as each Display toggle.

  7. For either type, click SAVE to confirm.

  8. Next, to place and size the stamp on the document, click once to define an initial endpoint and move your mouse cursor until the stamp is the desired size, then click again.

  9. In the “Stamp Options” pop-up, select where to place the stamp:

    1. On the Current Page, which places it on this page only.

    2. On All Pages, which places the stamp in the same location across every page of the document. (The stamp on each page can then be moved independently if necessary.)

    3. On the Current Page plus Range, which places it on this page along with all page numbers within the supplied range.

  10. Click CONTINUE to finish placing the stamp.

Text-Block Stamp Window

Multi-field Preset Stamp Window

 

 

The custom stamp will then display on the document using whatever information was set to display.


Editing a Stamp

Administrators can edit an existing stamp from the Stamps page whenever necessary. To edit an existing stamp:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Configuration > Stamps in the navigation panel.

  2. Search for the stamp by scrolling through or typing its name directly into the Name column header.

  3. Click on (right-facing arrow) to open the stamp.

  4. Edit the stamp configurations as needed.

  5. Click SAVE.

Once a stamp is updated, all users with access to that stamp will begin using the latest version of the stamp. However, if a previous version has already been placed on a document, that version of the stamp is not changed. This ensures that stamping history remains accurate and does not get overwritten.


Inactivating or Deleting a Stamp

Administrators can either inactivate or delete an existing stamp if they want to remove access to that stamp across all users. If stamp use simply needs to be paused (while the stamp language or configurations are updated, for example), then switching the stamp from “Active” to “Inactive” is recommended since a stamp can be returned to “Active” later. If the Agency determines the stamp will never be used again (or if it was created in error), then that is a good candidate for deleting the stamp instead.

Making a Stamp Inactive

To set an existing stamp to “Inactive”:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Configuration > Stamps in the navigation panel.

  2. Search for the stamp by scrolling through or typing its name directly into the Name column header.

  3. Click on (right-facing arrow) to open the stamp.

  4. Search for the “Active” toggle and click it to switch from pointing right (“Active”) to pointing left (“Inactive”).

  5. Click SAVE.

The stamp becomes “Inactive” and users cannot place it on documents going forward.

Deleting a Stamp

To delete an existing stamp:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Configuration > Stamps in the navigation panel.

  2. Search for the stamp by scrolling through or typing its name directly into the Name column header.

  3. Click on (Delete).

  4. In the “Delete selected record(s)?” pop-up, click DELETE.

Stamps can also be deleted from within the Edit form by clicking the (Delete) icon on the upper right of the form.