The old fashioned fingerprinting methodology worked fine, and was a true testament to the pioneers in the field. However, there was always the human element factor in the taking of fingerprints. The ink and its pad were factors in the outcome of the fingerprinting procedure. Either too much ink or too little ink affected the results of the fingerprinting, often with disastrous results which rendered the prints worthless.

Historically, the outcome of the fingerprinting procedure hinged on the technician's ability to apply just the right amount of ink to the pad. There have been tremendous technological improvements in the pad and ink used in fingerprinting today, and the pads that have been developed and are currently in use no longer leave smudges. The newer ink pads consist of a hard porous plastic surface that has the capacity to take over 100 prints per pad of ink. Commonly known as the "inkless pad," the results are an impeccably clear imprint of the fingers. In addition the fact that it does not smear, other advantages of the utilization of the inkless pad are that the ink dries instantly, and there is no ink residue that can be left on the fingers.

Certified fingerprinters, such as Mobile Notaries and Notaries Public, prefer to use the inkless type in which a special kind of chemically treated paper is used. The fingerprints are taken on this paper and, when combined with an inkless solution, produce a dark print in which the ridges are highly visible. Another advantage of the new inkless pad is that it does not dry if the pad is left open for any reason.

While the technique of administration of the fingerprint procedure is not difficult to learn, it is advisable that a person receive training in the proper procedures for taking fingerprints so that the correct technique of rolling fingerprints is observed. Even though the inkless pad is non-toxic, parents should monitor their children during the fingerprint process in order to ensure that they don't put their fingers in their eyes or their mouth after the prints have been taken before they've had an opportunity to wash their hands. The inkless pad is used by notaries public, mobile notaries, banks, mortgage companies, neighborhood convenience stores and any other business that has a relatively low volume of fingerprinting opportunities.