How to Make Postal Stamps

Print postage stamps with two different companies: Endicia and Stamps.com. This article will talk you through printing postage stamps with the easier of the two, Stamps.com.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Stamps.com account
• SDC-1001 Netstamps labels

1. Go to Stamp web site I linked and sign up for an account. As of the time of this posting you can sign up for a free 4 week trial with them.

2. Download the postage software and install it so you can print stamps with your computer. All of this is made easy for you to do at Stamps web site.

3. 
   Stamps.com Pro Home Screen

   Launch your postage software. You'll need to finish up the set up the stamp printing program walks you through. You need to buy some postage so you can have some to print out. The minimum you can buy is $10. The process is easy. I've attached a screen-cap of the program for you. The bottom blue tab on the left shows you where to click to buy postage. It's pointing to your postage balance. Mine is a mere $4.02 right now.

4. 
   Buy Your Netstamps labels.

   Click the link that says 'buy supplies.' To print postage stamps on Stamps.com you must use the stamp sheets they provide. You'll see there's some options for you to choose from. The least expensive is plain old Netstamps that you can print from your printer.

5. If you want to get fancy you can print stamps with photos on them. If you select Photostamps you'll be able to create your stamp photo right there. You'll be taken to a screen where you can upload what photo you want to have on the postage stamps. After you upload you'll be taken to a window where you can customize how the photo will print on your stamps. Then you can add it to your cart and order it. An actual human is going to look at your photo before you get your stamps. Be sure not to submit anything risque, or that might be the property of someone else.

6. 
   Netstamps Screen

   Netstamps come in the mail fast. Once you have them you can click the stamps link in your program to print out a sheet. You will need to enter the serial number of the postage stamp sheet. Then you can select your mail class, stamp denomination, and how many postage stamps you want to print out.

Tips & Warnings

• Preview your stamp prints before you print real postage, and double check that you're feeding the stamp labels into the printer the right way. If you print an error it often means filing a claim with Stamps.com in order to get your money back.
• Endicia.com is a cheaper alternative than Stamps.com and still lets you print stamps with photos on them if you want. Their software is a lot harder to use though.
• Stamps.com will charge you a minimum service fee of $15.99 a month in addition to the postage you buy once your trial period expires.

Resources

• Stamps.com
• Endicia.com

[jull14]

on 7/19/2009 Excellent article many of us should write article as inspiring as yours. I always love to read article that can help me live better and this is one of this article, thanks so much for sharing. This article is very clear and provided easy steps to follow. Thanks

[djackman]

on 5/16/2009 great tips for making postage stamps 5*

[skyedanzer]

on 5/4/2009 You made this very helpful and easy to do. I thought it would be much more complicated. Thanks!

[novalove]

on 5/2/2009 Great How to. It always seemed so complicated. Thanks. 5*

[Lilfix]

on 4/25/2009 Wow...thanks for the article on how to make postal stamps! I didn't know you could do this...RRRC5*