How to use the online timer
Stay beside the stamp while its gummed surface rests against the damp sponge, rather than leaving it soaking and returning to a soggy patch. Twenty-eight seconds gives the moisture time to spread across dry gum without turning the stamp into wet paper. Keep one finger near an edge so you can lift it promptly, check that the gum looks evenly damp, and place it on the envelope while it still feels slightly tacky.
While you watch the stamp, the phone may dim or lock before the countdown finishes. That does not usually stop the running timer, so avoid repeatedly waking the screen with damp fingers. Leave the handset face up within sight, then use the changing display only as a guide while you monitor whether the sponge has transferred enough moisture to the gum.
As the stamp sits on the sponge, nearby conversation, a kettle or traffic through an open window can mask the finishing sound. Keeping the phone close to the envelope makes a quiet alert easier to catch without raising its volume across the room. If the surroundings are particularly noisy, watch the final part of the display and lift the stamp as soon as the alert appears.
Common questions
What could make the stamp need less than the set time on the sponge?
A freshly wetted sponge or a small stamp may damp the gum sooner. Lift one corner early if the paper starts looking glossy or feels soft.
What if the stamp is still dry when the set time has finished?
An older gummed stamp or a sponge that is barely moist may need a little longer. Return only the dry area to the sponge briefly, keeping the printed face clear of water.
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