Postage Stamps

When the idea of selling personalized US postage stamps hit the United States a few years ago, it was welcomed with open arms. People loved the idea of turning the usually dull stamp to something unique by putting preferred photos, symbols and images. The possibilities seemed endless --- businesses could place their logos on the photo postage stamps and use these to mail out promotional coupons and newsletters, families could celebrate various special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries and birthdays by means of putting special photos on the stamps and even pet lovers can put images of their dogs and cats on stamps. The program meant to celebrate special events, further corporate branding and let people keep simple yet innovative mementos. The program, however, hit a snag a few months after its release.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) put a temporary halt to the personalized US postage stamps program in late 2004 after it needed to review the rules and regulations of the program. Apparently, some pranksters thought it was necessary to try the limitation of the program (or the lack of it) by requesting for images of the recognized Unabomber Ted Kaczynski and Lee Harvey Oswald (the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy).

In fact, one controversial website caused quite a stir after they requested (and received) sheets of picture postage stamps with the photos of Monica Lewinsky's blue dress (the one which was said to be spattered with former US President Bill Clinton's DNA), controversial former Lewinsky confidante Linda Tripp, executed Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, New Jersey Governor James McGreevey along with his alleged homosexual lover Golan Cipel and photos of the high school and college yearbook photos of the Unabomber. One of the sheets got cancelled, though, but still the mere fact that they were able to order controversial images for the stamps was a major wakeup call for the USPS and for its affiliated stamp resellers. Nevertheless, an estimated 100,000 sheets of stamps or roughly 2.4 million pieces were purchased in the initial trial run of the program.

Today, the photo postage stamp service is back. USPS and its approved licensed vendors have beefed up the terms and guidelines on how to order. Apart from banning pornographic and disturbing photos, religious symbols, pictures of controversial figures, the USPS and its accredited vendors will also take extra precaution on giving the seal of approval on materials that the client doesn't actually have the exclusive rights to. In fact, in one approved licensed vendor website alone, a total of 32 million picture postage stamps have already been created and purchased.

With more stringent measures, the photo postage stamp service is seen to be a better and more efficient one this second time around. Customers can now enjoy the many benefits that the program can give.