Revised US First-Day Postmark Guidelines

Nothing major, but in the December 27, 2025, issue of the Postal Bulletin, the entry for the 2026 Love stamps has slightly-revised guidelines for obtaining first-day postmarks by mail:
Change of language:

Traditional Black and White Postmarks:

Customers may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope and mail to the above address.

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50.

Customers can also submit collectable paper items or memorabilia of their choice for a black and white cancellation. The request should include packaging large enough to accommodate their cancelled items along with sufficient postage affixed for the return of their postmarked item.

If the cancelled item is not mailable by First-Class, and return packaging with postage is not provided, the order must include a way to contact the customer for payment to return cancelled items. Payment for quantities greater than 50 cancels and/or postage for shipping must be submitted by check, money order, or credit card.

Digital Color Postmarks:

Only select stamp issues offer a digital color postmark. Digital color postmarks can only be affixed to paper products. Customers may submit #6 or #10 envelopes constructed of paper rated as “laser safe.” The Postal Service™ recommends envelopes of 80-pound Accent Opaque, acid-free, 9/16-inch side seams with no glue on the flap. The maximum size of all digital color postmarks is 2 inches (vertically) by 4 inches (horizontally). Allow sufficient space on the envelope to accommodate the postmark. Do not use self-adhesive labels for addresses on the envelope. Two test envelopes must be included. There is a 50-cent charge per postmark at the time of servicing. Customers must submit a check, money order, or credit card for payment.

The Postal Service reserves the right to not accept hand-painted and other cachet envelopes that are not compatible with our digital color postmark equipment. The Postal Service also reserves the right to substitute traditional black rubber postmarks if use of non-specified envelopes results in poor image quality or damage to equipment.

Customers must affix the stamps to the envelopes and address them to themselves or others for return through the mail. Or they may include an additional self-addressed return envelope, large enough to accommodate their canceled items, with sufficient postage affixed for return of their postmarked items.

All first-day postmarks:

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes to the customer by U.S. Mail®.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.