The Post Office requires that postage is paid in advance for mailpieces. First Class, PRSRT STD and Non-Profit mail can be paid for in 1 of 3 different ways. In general, all three are roughly equivalent in postage, but let's look at the differences:
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Precanceled Stamps |
Looks the best Used for fundraising or fancy invitations |
Requires a return address Requires a separate operation Allows non-identical weight pieces |
| Postage Meter | Looks like business mail |
Requires a separate operation Allows non-identical weight pieces |
| Indicias |
Printed when the envelope is printed so no extra operation |
Looks Mass Produced |
The USPS changes what is printed on the precanceled stamps from time to time, but here are some of the current stamps that are available:
Indicias are the most common way of paying for postage because they can be printed at the same time as the card, envelope or newsletter is being printed. Some rules for indicias:
- Generally placed in the upper right hand area of the mailpiece or addressing area
- Printed at 4pts or larger
- must be legible and of a color that contrasts sufficiently with the paper and the indicia’s background for readability. A different color may be used to highlight the background of an indicia
- The box around the words is optional
- No smaller than 0.5"x0.5"
Here are some examples of different indicias using our permit:
Here is an example of using a postage meter:
