Printing Stamps: Your Guide to Postage Freedom (Without Breaking the Law)
Tired of licking stamps? Or walking to the post office? In this digital age, you may wonder if you can just hit ‘print’ and get postage from your computer. We will dive into printed postage. We’ll separate fact from fiction and keep you on the right side of the postal police.
Printing Official USPS Postage: Yes, You Can (But There’s a Catch)
Good news for home office heroes! USPS lets you print official postage from your computer. You can turn your home into a mini post office. How? Let’s explore:
Stamps.com: Your Digital Postage Pal
Stamps.com is your friend who always has stamps when needed. Install their software and you are set. You can buy and print USPS-approved postage for any class and amount. It’s like having a postage vending machine inside your home.
Pitney Bowes: The OG of Postage Printing
Pitney Bowes is known for postage meters. They let you print postage from your computer. Check out Pitney Bowes’ blog for the lowdown on online postage printing services.
Printing from Home: Postcards to Packages, No Problem
Sending postcards to grandma? Or shipping artisanal cheeses? No problem. Services like Stamps.com let you do it all from home. No more lines at the post office! Visit Stamps.com to learn how to skip those trips.
What to Print On: Paper or Not?
Can you print stamps on any paper? Not so fast! USPS has standards. You can use plain paper, envelopes, or labels. Stamps.com offers
NetStamps: The Stamp-Alike Labels
NetStamps are print-at-home stamp stickers. You can print on various materials, including these labels. They are USPS-approved for your postage needs.
Printer Compatibility: Inkjet, Laser, Thermal – Take Your Pick
Worried about printer compatibility? Don’t be. Stamps.com works with all types of printers: inkjet, laser, thermal. Dust off that office printer; it’s ready to handle postage.
Digital Stamps: Stamps in the Cloud?
Meet the
Legality Check: Don’t Become a Postage Pirate
Creating postage stamps that look like real ones to use is a big no-no. This act leads to serious consequences. Think twice before printing your own “stamps” to save money. Avoid legal issues.
Counterfeiting is a Felony (and Bad for Your Mail)
Creating fake postage stamps is counterfeiting, a federal crime. Using fake stamps is fraud. “Making a copy of a stamp to defraud the post office is mail fraud!” Don’t go down this path.
Approved Vendors: The Legal Stamp Dispensers
The USPS allows custom postage stamps through approved vendors only. These vendors are the legal passage for custom postage. You can design and buy stamps from PhotoStamps, PictureItPostage, and Zazzle. They are legal channels for personalized postage.
Custom Stamps: Personalize Your Post (Legally)
Want a personal touch to your mail? Custom stamps do that. Let’s differentiate between crafting decorative stamps and creating official custom postage.
Personal Use Stamps: Get Crafty
You can create your own rubber stamps for personal use. Carve designs into rubber blocks with ink pads. Get creative with hot glue or sponges. These stamps add flair to stationery but cannot replace official postage.
Purchasing from Approved Vendors: For Legitimate Personalized Postage
If you seek real postage with personal flair, stick to USPS-approved vendors. Mentioned vendors allow uploads of photos or graphics to create valid personalized postage stamps. You can pick sizes, values, or stock images.
Custom Stamp Services: Time-Savers and Message Makers
Custom stamps save time for businesses and personal use. They offer unique messages on packages. Think return addresses or logos, all easily done with stamps from The Portland Stamp Company.
Creating Your Stamp (The Craft Kind)
Creating a stamp is simple. Use a stamp maker tool or software. Select “New Stamp” and choose a shape and size like 38mm for stamping. This is for imprinting physical stamps, not for postage.
USPS Custom Postage Program: A Blast from the Past (Almost)
The USPS had a customized postage program that Stamps.com participated in. This program ended in June 2020 due to declining sales and legal issues. While custom vendors exist, the landscape has changed.
Cost and Savings: Printing Postage vs. Post Office Queues
Does printing postage save money? Let’s review the numbers.
Cheaper Than the Post Office Counter? Often, Yes.
Printing postage online is often cheaper than buying at the post office counter. Stamps.com claims you can save up to 80 percent compared to leasing a postage meter. That’s significant savings.
Stamps.com Subscription: The Price of Convenience
Stamps.com uses a subscription model. You pay monthly for postage printing and shipping label access. This includes features like label printing and shipment tracking. It’s cost-effective compared to postage meters at around $20.99 monthly + taxes, with a 30-day free trial available.
First-Class Mail Stamp Cost: Online vs. In-Person
A one-ounce First-Class Mail stamp costs $0.73 at the Post Office right now. When printed online via Stamps.com, it might be around $0.69. Every cent matters if you mail often!
Stamp Validity and Usage: Rules of the Postage Road
Stamps are contracts with the postal service. Here are key rules for smooth mail movement:
Reuse of Stamps: A Postal Sin
Reusing stamps is illegal in many countries, including the U.S. It’s considered mail fraud. “It is illegal to reuse a stamp.” Don’t peel off any used stamp; postal inspectors are vigilant (at least figuratively).
Royal Mail Stamp Swap Out Scheme: UK
Specific
If you’re in the UK and have non-barcoded stamps, Royal Mail offers a
Stamps Without Barcodes: No Longer Valid (in some cases, UK example)
In some postal systems, like Royal Mail in the UK, regular stamps without barcodes may no longer be valid. USPS traditional stamps are still valid. Stay updated with postal announcements to ensure your stamps remain valid.
Mutilated or Defaced Stamps: Handle with Care
Mutilated or defaced stamps are not valid for U.S. mail, either domestic or international. A minor tear in the corner usually does not invalidate a stamp. Be sure to treat your stamps with care.
Taping Over Stamps: Don’t Do It
Affix your stamps securely, but do not tape over them. Taping invalidates the postage. It seems sensible for security, but postal regulations prohibit this action.
Glueing Stamps: Another No-Go
Do not glue stamps down. While it may appear helpful, postal regulations state, “Do not use glue to secure postage stamps to an envelope.” Moisten and stick is the correct way to do it.
Positioning of Stamps: Right Place, Right Mail?
Even if a stamp is in the wrong position, your mail could still reach its destination. However, misplacement may delay the process. The best practice? Place stamps in the upper right corner.
Forever Stamps: Forever (Valid)
Use By Date of Stamps: Barcodes and Beyond
Forever stamps never expire. Regular stamps, however, might have validity periods, especially as systems shift to barcoded types. Old, non-barcoded stamps might be treated as “insufficient postage.” Watch for updates from your postal service about stamp validity.
Christmas Stamps: Festive and Forever Valid (Mostly)
Good news for holiday senders! Christmas and special commemorative stamps often remain valid for postage even after standard deadlines. Festive postage can last through the years!
Types of Stamps: A Stamp Spectrum
Let’s briefly cover the main types of stamps you might find:
“Forever” Stamps: The Timeless Postage
As mentioned, Forever stamps remain valid despite price hikes. In July 2024, the cost of a first-class Forever stamp changed to 73 cents. With rate changes, Forever stamps still cover 1-ounce first-class letters.
Digital Stamps (Again, Decorative Context)
Digital Stamps, or Digi Stamps, focus on digital images of stamps used in crafting or digital design, rather than actual printable postage. They consist of downloadable digital files and are not for mailing.
Personalized Postage Stamps: Your Face on a Stamp (Legally)
You can’t create your own *official postage* stamps, but you can design personalized postage stamps through USPS-approved third-party vendors like PhotoStamps, PictureItPostage, and Zazzle. These options let you feature photos or designs on *real* postage.
Where to Buy Stamps: Beyond the Post Office
Need stamps? You have various options besides visiting the post office:
Post Office: The Classic Stamp Source
Your local post office is typically the most reliable and cost-effective place to buy stamps. Many also feature self-service kiosks (SSKs). These kiosks allow you to purchase stamps and handle 80% of typical transactions. SSKs are available in about 2,300 post offices nationwide.
Online: The Digital Stamp Store
The USPS Postal Store at usps.com offers an extensive variety of stamps online. Explore custom postage options through USPS-approved vendors via their websites.
Other Locations: Stamps in Unexpected Places
Look for the “Buy Stamps Here” sign. You can find stamps at grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, and office supply shops. Some banks and ATMs sell stamps too. Grocery stores and gas stations provide convenient access when you’re already out.
Stamps.com: Your All-in-One Postage Portal
Stamps.com allows you to print postage and also purchase stamps, along with services of a traditional post office. It offers extra features from your computer.
Digital Stamps (App-Based, Specific Example)
For digital stamps (in terms of postage), some services, like An Post (Irish postal service), offer digital stamp purchases through their app. Buy digital stamps through An Post app, available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This service is region-specific and not universally available through USPS.
Alternatives to Postage Stamps: Beyond the Sticker
Stamps are traditional, but there are alternatives for businesses and high-volume mailers:
Permit Imprint: For Bulk Mailers
Businesses sending bulk mail can use a
PC-Based Postage: The Digital Alternative
PC-based postage software offers an alternative to traditional postage meters. Such software allows you to print stamps and shipping labels or even print postage directly on envelopes. This modern approach is often more flexible and cost-effective than older systems.
Restrictions and Regulations: Playing by the Postal Rules
Remember these key restrictions and regulations:
Illegal to Copy Stamps: Counterfeiting is a Crime
“Copying a stamp and using it to defraud the post office is mail fraud and a felony!” Do not copy or create fake postage stamps. This cannot be emphasized enough.
Postal Regulations: They’re There for a Reason
Postal regulations may seem picky, but they ensure smooth mail processing and prevent fraud. Following these guidelines keeps mail flowing and avoids postage issues.
So there you go – your comprehensive guide on printing stamps, legality, and navigating the world of postage beyond standard stamps. Mail smart and legally to avoid any unnecessary trips to the post office.
For further information, refer to official sources like USPS Mailing & Printing Services, as well as resources like Wikipedia’s page on postage stamp reuse.
