How to Design Your Own Postage Stamps

Have you thought about designing your own postage stamps to make those invitations you are sending out look extra special? Why not place an engagement photo on the wedding invitations and a wedding photo on the wedding thank you notes. Place your child's photo on birthday invitations and on graduation open house invitations. Those receiving mail from you will know immediately what is inside the envelope. In fact, they may want to keep the envelope in their scrapbook as a reminder since it has a special photo on it. How do you design your own postage stamps?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Picture file .jpg .bmp
• Credit Card or PayPal
• Printer
• adhesive printer paper
• Account @ Stamps.com

1. 
    
   Create an account

   Create an account at an United States Postal Service approved stamp supplier such as stamps.com. You will need a user name, unique password, mailing address, and a credit card, PayPal account, or bank account to create your account. You may need to download a small program to your computer to allow you to print your stamps. If you already have an account, simply log in.

2. 
    
   Choose a photo like this birthday picture

   Choose the photo stamp option on the website and click on browse to find one of your own photos to upload and print on your stamps.

3. Select a background for your photo such as balloons for a birthday announcement, wedding bells for wedding invitations. If you do not choose a background, your photo will fill the area on the left side of the stamp.

4. Change the quantity of stamps desired if you need more than 20, otherwise you will receive 20 specialty stamps.

5. 
    
   Pay for your purchase

   Pay for your purchase using a credit card, PayPal, or electronic bank transfer

6. Print your stamps directly on envelopes, onto adhesive paper or label paper, or onto plain paper. Please note, that if you use plain paper you must use glue or other sticky substance to adhere stamps. Stamps with tape over the top will not be accepted as valid postage by the postal service.

Tips & Warnings

• Postage is increasing May 11, 2009, buy forever stamps to avoid the increase, or pay the additional postage of 2-cents per stamp now, or you will need to add a 2-cent stamp beginning May 11, 2009.
• Do NOT tape over the top of stamps or USPS will return your letter, tape invalidates postage.

Resources

• How to Become a USPS Mail Carrier Without Taking Exams
• How to Work as Postmaster Relief at USPS Without Taking Exams
• How to Decorate Your Mailbox for Spring
• How to Decorate Your Mailbox for Birth of New Baby
• How to Get Better Service From Your USPS Mail Carrier
• How to Ship the Cheapest Using USPS, United States Postal Service
• How to Ship Cheap Using First Class Mail USPS
• Hump Day Hippie Recycling and Crafts

[heatherinks]

on 9/11/2009 One these days I am going to make my own stamps - I have enough pictures to do it. LOL 5* God bless.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 6/8/2009 Thanks for the easy to follow steps for creating your own postage stamp. 5*

[justkeepswimmin]

on 5/23/2009 This sounds like a great idea. Thank you for this information.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 5/20/2009 This is a cool idea. What a great publicity stunt too. Makes one want to start using snail mail again lol. Post office is smart too to allow this ability

[sonni57]

on 4/9/2009 Thanks for the directions on how to design postal stamps.