How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Digital Color or Traditional Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail^® requirements. Customers may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office^™, by telephone at 800-782-6724, or at The Postal Store^® website at usps.com/shop.

Digital Color Postmarks

Only select stamp issues offer a digital color postmark. 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 inches side seams with no glue on the flap. The maximum size of all digital color postmarks is 2 inches high x 4 inches long. 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 minimum of 10 envelopes at 50 cents per postmark required 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 nonspecified 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. Address customer requests for digital color postmarks to:

FDOI – (Name of Stamp Issue)
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

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

Traditional Postmarks

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. Address customer requests for traditional postmarks to:

FDOI – (Name of Stamp Issue)
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service^™ will return the envelopes to the customer by U.S. Mail. There is no charge for the first 50 postmarks. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. Customers must submit a check, money order, or credit card for payment.

— Stamp Services, Marketing, 3-30-17