How to Make Pictures Into Postage Stamps

You can turn your favorite pictures into postage stamps. This is an ideal way to customize greeting cards, invitations and other correspondence. When sending out wedding invitations, a postage stamp picturing the bride and groom will make that envelope stand out. Custom postage stamps are more expensive than standard stamps, but the price may be worth it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital image

1. 

   Locate an authorized partner of the United States Postal Service that makes custom stamps. Go to the link in References to find a list of legitimate professional partners.

2. 

   Visit each professional partner listed on the United States Postal Service website to determine which company bests suits your needs. Currently there are four listed partners. Some allow you to add text along with a photo.

3. 

   Create a digital image that is 300ppi of the picture you wish to make into a postage stamp. If you have the picture in non-digital format, it can be scanned to create a digital image. If it is a large picture that won't fit into the scanner, use a digital camera to take a digital image of the picture. Take the picture outside, not in shade or direct light but with plenty of lighting. Do not use a flash. JPG format is typically accepted by the professional partners, and some may accept other formats.

4. 

   Go to the website of the professional partner you want to use by clicking on the "Get Started" link (see References).

5. 

   Upload your digital image at the professional partner website, following their instructions on creating a postage stamp. Typically this will involve clicking a "Browse" or "Load Image" link, where a menu pops up showing the files on your computer. Locate the digital image file you wish to use and click on the image to upload.

6. 

   Add any text to the postage stamp, if you desire and if that professional partner offers that option.

7. 

   Format the positioning of the image on the stamp by using the professional partner's editing menu that appears after you upload your image. Typically it will allow you to move, resize, rotate and change the orientation of the image. Choose the postage amount for the stamp.

8. 

   Continue to checkout and choose how many sheets of stamps you wish to order. They normally come in sheets of 20 stamps. Complete the order form and make your payment by credit card. The stamps will be mailed to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Some professional partners may require you to register as a customer before ordering. Check your image resolution using photo-editing software under the image size menu.

References

• United States Postal Service

[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