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Overview
The United States Postal Service allows you to create your own personalized postage stamps using your own photos, logos or graphics. Accessing the USPS website explains all of the possibilities and provides valuable links for creating and ordering customized postage. Creating your own postage stamps is fun and lets you explore your own creativity. Personalize your stamps the next time you send out a special mailing -- it will likely put a smile on the recipient's face.
Features
Go to the United States Postal Service's website (use the link in the Resources section to go directly to the page for customizing postage stamps). This site provides links to other websites for creating stamps. Personalized postage stamps can be purchased in different quantities depending on where you purchase them, and some allow you to enter text on the stamp. All stamps are usually self-adhesive, feature the personalized photo and text, and include the postage rate and a bar code.
Types
There are a few options available for personalizing stamps. You can include your own photographs, your business logo and some even allow you to create stamps with the logo of your favorite sports team. The USPS's website provides links to four sites where you can customize your stamps: Zazzle, Stamps.com, Pitney Bowes and PictureItPerfect.com. Read the short descriptions on the USPS site to choose which site will work best for you. Click Get Started on this page to access the website of your choice. Some allow for different rates of postage and offer stamps in different sizes.
Function
Personalized postage stamps are a fun way to add a special touch to your mail. Create different stamps for holidays or special occasions. For example, put a picture of the new baby on a stamp for mailing out a birth announcement or create a holiday-themed stamp for Christmas cards. Personalized stamps are also a great way to spread the word about a small business or an upcoming event. They are fun and easy to create. All you have to do is upload your photographs.
Benefits
Customized postage stamps can be used as promotional tools for a business. They can be used to provide a special greeting, or to make a special announcement. Creating your own stamps lets you tap into your own creativity when regular stamps just don't cut it. Because there are so many possibilities with creating your own stamps, they can be customized to fit any occasion or situation. As the USPS's website says, "the sky's the limit."
Warning
A simple Google search will turn up several websites offering personalized postage stamp services. While most of these are probably reputable companies, it is always best to go through the USPS's website to ensure maximum safety. Doing this will ensure that what you are ordering is legal postage from a company endorsed by USPS. This should increase your confidence that your personalized mail will not be returned to sender.
