Fingerprinting at home...kits?

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  • STFU

    Master
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    Sep 30, 2015
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    Hamilton County
    I have been looking for a kit to do my own fingerprints at home.
    I see some "boards" on Amazon and EBay that are ~$100 and it consists of a $10 card holder and a $20 inkpad mounted to a thin board with rubber feet.

    This is just absurd...$100 for $35 in parts. Pfffft.
    I don't mind spending money, I just want it to be "well spent."

    Does anyone have a good recommended setup that they have actual hands on use with?
    I know you LEOs have thoughts on this, please chime in.

    Anything available on Amazon? (I have gift cards burning a hole in my pocket.)
     

    Ggreen

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    49   0   0
    Sep 19, 2016
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    Government printing office. 100 cards for like 10 bucks shipped.

    Inkpad, 9.92 at joanns.

    Nitrile gloves so you don't smudge 1.99
     

    Hop

    Grandmaster
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    16   0   0
    Jan 21, 2008
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    Indy
    I got the cards free from ATF. I need the ink pad myself. I plan to make changes to my trust and add another 22LR form 4 & maybe another form1 item. /sub'd

    :popcorn:
     

    Tactically Fat

    Grandmaster
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    Oct 8, 2014
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    I ordered cards from ATF - SEVERAL days ago - and they've yet to show up. I'm in a spot right now, today, that i NEED cards. I may have to break down and visit the PoPo Dept instead. :-(
     

    Hop

    Grandmaster
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    Jan 21, 2008
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    I ordered cards from ATF - SEVERAL days ago - and they've yet to show up. I'm in a spot right now, today, that i NEED cards. I may have to break down and visit the PoPo Dept instead. :-(

    You can borrow a card from me if you are in a pinch.
     

    STFU

    Master
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    Sep 30, 2015
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    Hamilton County
    So what I am reading is:

    1. Buy a 10 or 25 pack of cards
    2. Buy an inkpad
    3. Take my time and be steady
    4. Skip the "Kit" and save $$$
    That about right?
     

    DanVoils

    Master
    Emeritus
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    43   0   0
    Feb 20, 2010
    3,098
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    .
    So what I am reading is:

    1. Buy a 10 or 25 pack of cards
    2. Buy an inkpad
    3. Take my time and be steady
    4. Skip the "Kit" and save $$$
    That about right?

    100% Back in the 80's if you bought a hand gun and didn't have an LTCH we had to fill out the finger print card (lovingly referred to as a "10 card") and mail it in to the State Police. If we didn't hear anything back in 10 business days they could come pick up the gun. If they had an LTCH they could pick the gun up right away. I go very good at printing people. Even found out that WD-40 does wonders for removing the ink fro your fingers!
     

    KCYM7

    Plinker
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    0   0   0
    Dec 1, 2018
    7
    1
    CARMEL
    FYI, another option is something I just purchased from Amazon. You get five fingerprint cards, five strips of ink and some directions. $12, and showed up three days after I ordered. I suppose if you are in a real hurry you can order them for overnight.

    [h=1]FD-258 Fingerprint Kit: 5 Cards, Ink, and Directions[/h]
    Thanks,

    John
     

    ol' poke

    Sharpshooter
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    7   0   0
    Jan 14, 2010
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    For those who "self-printed" or did them for 'trustees'. How did you fill out the cards, besides the printee's name, etc. Can I fill in my name under "Signature of Official taking fingerprints"?
     

    Ggreen

    Person
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    49   0   0
    Sep 19, 2016
    3,686
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    SouthEast
    I am interested in this as well. I went and had my prints done at the local PD because the ATF says you must do so on FD-258 cards. Link to info https://www.atf.gov/explosives/qa/how-do-i-get-my-fingerprints-taken

    Has anyone successfully received a completed form 4 back while doing your own fingerprints?

    Yes. The only reason they require that form is to prevent them from having to make their own. 3 stamps back this year printing myself. If they required .gov officials to do it you couldn't do it at a kiosk.
     

    Ggreen

    Person
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    49   0   0
    Sep 19, 2016
    3,686
    77
    SouthEast
    For those who "self-printed" or did them for 'trustees'. How did you fill out the cards, besides the printee's name, etc. Can I fill in my name under "Signature of Official taking fingerprints"?

    I left the official blank and only filled in personal info.
     

    Blakec221

    Plinker
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jan 3, 2019
    58
    8
    Rockville
    I left the official blank and only filled in personal info.

    I believe I filled out the official info with my info and all was well. I did mine in the parking lot of the license branch after buying a ink pad from the dollar store. Honestly thought they were gonna send them back but 6 months later I got the call saying all was good
     
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