About two months ago, Stamps.com launched Photo NetStamps, an extension of the company's popular NetStamps suite, which allows customers to create customized postage stamps with their own digital photos, business logos, or any other kind of image. What's different about this new service than other PC postage is that the NetStamps aren't tied to an address or date; you can use them whenever you like.
So, of course I had to try out the service! Who did I decide to create photo stamps of? My brother's Whippet, Gigi and PC Mag's Executive Producer Robyn Peterson. And neither knew I was using their photos!
The Photo NetStamps service is simple. Go to http://photo.stamps.com, upload an image, select postage, choose border color, rotate or center the image, and wait for your stamp sheet in the mail!
Choose from postcard postage to 39-cent stamps to 52-cent stamps and more. Each sheet contains 20 photo stamps, and the more sheets you purchase, the better price you'll get. For a regular 1-ounce envelope (39 cents), pricing is as follows: $17.99 (1 sheet), $15.99 (2-9 sheets) and $14.99 (10-24 sheets). Check out the site for 25-sheet and up prices.
My mom really got a kick out of the Gigi photo stamps; now she wants to use them for her christmas cards! View my step-by-step creation process, as well as my photo stamp of Robyn, by clicking over to the next page!
First, upload your photo. Then customize the stamp to your liking. I chose an orange border for Robyn's photo.
Here's a screenshot of the stamp I created for Gigi with a light blue border.
Add the stamps to your cart, depending on which postage you want. I selected 1 sheet of 39- cent stamps.
Before you type in your purchasing info, you'll have to register. But the benefit to this is that the system will remember your uploaded images, in case you want to order more of your creation.
The Order Summary page. And it only took about 4-5 days for the stamps to arrive at the office!
And here's Robyn with his stamps!!
Gigi's PhotoStamps.
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November 7, 2006 10:16 AM
It's really that easy?
For some reason I had thought that making customized stamps was more of a production than that, but that looks really really simple. I might have to give it a try! I've always wanted to try it, and I buy stamps to infrequently that I wouldn't mind using personalized ones when I do have to use them. :)
Also, looks like Gigi is turning into a regular Gearlog mascot. ;) You should find a way to sneak her into the logo!
November 7, 2006 8:34 PM
What you show is PhotoStamps, not Photo NetStamps. Ther's a big difference. PhotoStamps was launched 2 years ago while Photo NetStamps was launched 2 months ago.
November 8, 2006 12:30 PM
Phoenix -- yeah, Gigi is becoming quite famous. She's got the legs to be a pet model, that's for sure! Hehehe. And yes, creating photo stamps was so simple. I was surprised at how quick the process was. No hassle at all.
Otto-- I should have been more clear in my explanation of the service. I updated the post. The company pointed me to photostamps.com, and told me that this is the Photo NetStamps service. You see, Stamps.com took their already popular NetStamps suite to offer customers an easier way to create photo stamps through Photo NetStamps. I hope this explains better what I was trying to say. Notice that I say "Create Your Own Photo Stamps", Not "PhotoStamps."
November 8, 2006 1:25 PM
So people are willing to pay an extra $.51 per stamp to have the picture of their choice? That's nuts.
November 10, 2006 12:48 PM
I agree with Walt, a ridiculous premium to pay. Perhaps if they ever come down to half that price, I may be interested, but I doubt it.
November 10, 2006 6:55 PM
Anyone considering using this service may also want to check out the Pitney Bowles site at www.zazzle.com/stamps, where you can also order custom-made postage stamps. The prices are identical, and the design software is also essentially the same. The advantage is that the image dimensions on zazzle's stamps are superior. At photo.stamps.com the image size is square (1.1" x 1.1") and you can only create horizontal stamps as shown in the article. But at www.zazzle.com/stamps the image size is larger and rectangular (1.2" x 1.7") and you can create either a horizontal or vertical stamp. This makes it much easier to use photographs or designs effectively to create your stamps. Obviously, at nearly three times the cost per stamp (for one sheet when you include tax and shipping) than stamps from the post office, these stamps are not intended for everyday use, but rather to put a smile on the faces of friends and relatives who receive mail from you.
November 15, 2006 8:29 AM
I've been saying for years that the USPS should operate like a business and sell advertising on stamps,for Big $$. But Pepsi or Wheaties isn't going to mess with this,do you think? I think it's cool, wonder how long it will last.
How do you find out what Companies offer this service,they couldn,t tell me anything at the post office.Weird.
March 1, 2007 7:35 PM
i love it