While the postage stamp might be the last thing you include in your mailing, it is most certainly part of the first impression of what’s inside. Most often the tiniest of details, like a stamp, are what make a design stand out or feel thought through and cohesive. So let’s hear it for the postage stamp! Or at least give them the spotlight for once in this blog post by sharing a few things you may not have known about them. You may find something useful for your next stationery mailing or simply impress everyone at trivia night…
1. The first United States official postage stamp came in 1847, with 5 and 10 cent stamps depicting Benjamin Franklin and George Washington (real original, I know).
2. You can buy USPS postage stamps on Etsy! If you’ve been on the hunt for that perfect image to accompany your invites, don’t forget to check out vintage, retired and other on-theme stamp designs on Etsy.
3. USPS offers stamps in denominations from 1¢ additional postage to Priority Mail Express Stamps costing over $30. Additional postage stamps can give your mailing a layered look (like these from Little Postage House) which is often unexpected and unique—making you look like a stamp expert which is definitely a title worth adding to your resume.
4. Since the 1980’s, the mail service’s budget has relied almost entirely on stamp sales rather than taxpayer dollars. Please send some love to the USPS by sending actual birthday cards instead of texts this year!
5. The general public can submit ideas for stamp designs only by…wait for it…mail! Believe it or not, as of right now, proposals are not accepted by email or by phone. Gotta love that old-school way of promoting business.
6. The Postal Service continues its popular Love series with a new stamp in 2021. The stamp art features a lighthearted and colorful digital illustration with the word “LOVE” and three large hearts shown in an unconventional palette of color duos, strikingly set against a dark blue background. Greg Breeding was art director; Bailey Sullivan created the original art and designed the stamp. The less interesting fact is that this series is a Courtney Winet Design favorite.
7. People once had to pay for the postage on the letters they received. AKA: a lot of mail was returned because the recipient didn't want to spend the money. So prepaid postage stamps (the same ones mentioned above in 1847) solved this problem.
8. Are you old enough to remember licking stamps? Because we are…In 1992, pressure-sensitive self-adhesive stamps rolled out nationally. By 2005, 98 percent of all stamps were this type.
9. According to Salt Lake Mailing and Printing, the most popular (in terms of number saved, not sold) commemorative stamp issued by the USPS is the 1993 Elvis stamp. Over 124 million of this colorful 29-cent stamp featuring the famous singer have been saved. Guess that makes him the King of stamps too!
We believe that whatever stamps you choose will be amazing ...as long as you address your invitation correctly! Read our blog post on invitation wording etiquette for more stationery tips.
