STAMP DESIGN

STAMP COMPONENTS

Country of Origin

Stamp Value

Stamp Subject

STAMP DESIGN ELEMENTSStamps incorporate common design elements:

ColorLineShapeValue U.S. Postal Museum Curriculum Guides: “Design it! Giving Voice to America,” Lesson 3

COLOR

Color is the visual cue that defines a space or line in an image

National-themed stamps are strengthened by use of identifiable color combinations

COLOR

LINE

Lines provide structure and indicate direction in an image

LINE

SHAPE

Shapes are enclosed by lines and offer structure for the stamp design

Types of shapes:Geometric (circle, square, triangle, etc.)Organic (natural, non-geometric)

SHAPE

VALUE

Value is the range of light and dark in colors.

Value creates contrast and depth for a 2-D image and enhances the central image.

VALUE

STAMP DESIGN PRINCIPLESIn addition to considering design elements like color, line, shape and value, designers apply several design principles to stamps:

TypeRhythmUnityProportion

U.S. Postal Museum Curriculum Guides: “Design it! Giving Voice to America,” Lesson 3

TYPE

Font style and placement can provide additional information about an image.

Type comes into play for the ‘country of origin’ and ‘stamp value’ elements.

TYPE

RHYTHM

Rhythm is the repetition of design elements (like color, line, shape, value) to provide a sense of movement and make an image appear dynamic

RHYTHM

UNITY

Unity is a measured arrangement of elements (color, line, shape, value) to best express the whole picture.

The integration of design elements results in a cohesive, balanced image

UNITY

PROPORTION

Designers have to consider how their image will appear on a very small scale.“When designing for a stamp, one must consider several keys to designing ‘small’:A central image is used—usually at the very center of the design Keep intricate details to a minimum Use shape and line to direct the eye Simple use of color and value simply to help make a clear image Limit the use of typography”

U.S. Postal Museum Curriculum Guides: “Design it! Giving Voice to America,” Lesson 3

PROPORTION

SELECTING A SUBJECTThe USPS and the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) have 12 criteria guiding stamp subject selection:

U.S. postage stamps and stationery primarily will feature American or American-related subjects No living person shall be honored by portrayal on U.S. postageStamps honoring individuals may be issued in conjunction with a birthday, date of birth, etc.Events of historical significance shall be considered for commemoration only on anniversaries in multiples of 50 yearsEvents, persons, themes of significance should have widespread, national resonanceStamps should not honor political, charitable, fraternal organizations or promote commercial interestsStamps should not honor towns, counties, primary/secondary schools, hospitals, libraries or similar organizationsHonoring anniversaries of statehood can be considered at 50 year intervals from date of entry into the UnionStamps should not honor religious institutions nor individuals whose main contributions are associated with religious beliefs or endeavorsSemipostal stamps are designed to raise funds for causes determined to be in the national public interest and appropriate.Stamps commemorating higher education institutions will be considered for stamped cards and only in connection with the 200th anniversary of their foundingStamp subjects should not be the same as another issued within 50 years (excluding holidays and national themes)

Proposals should be submitted three years in advance of the proposed date of issue(!)

-USPS, Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (http://www.usps.com/communications/organization/csac.htm)

STAMP HISTORY

THE FIRST POSTAGE STAMP

Introduced in Britain in 1840 Called the "Penny Black Stamp"Designed by Henry Corbould Remained in use for forty years

Finlay, William. An Illustrated History of Stamp Design , 1974.

EARLY STAMPSThe first stamps resembled coins Like coins, there was little variation in the main elements of their designSeen as means to an endEnd product reflected the available printing technology of the time

"Postage Stamps." Oxford Art Online.

FIRST PICTORIAL STAMPS

By the end of the 1840s, stamps expanded to feature pictorial elements beyond portraitsThe first known instance of this is an 1849 commemorative stamp from Australia, recognizing the 100th anniversary of New South Wales

CHANGES IN STAMP DESIGN

By the end of the 19th century, stamp designs began to incorporate:additional colors a variety of shapes more dynamic compositions

STAMP DESIGN PROGRAMSTAMPS

Manager of Stamp Development and Art DirectorsCitizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC)On average, 25-30 new stamp designs debut each year

Carter, Rob. "US Postal Service Stamp Design Program." Graphis . Jan-Feb 2004, p. 126.

STAMP TRENDS

Popular culture Large scale scenesHigh design

DESIGN YOUR OWN STAMP!ZazzlePhotoStampsstampexpressionsPictureItPostage.com

NON-PROFIT MAILING

Indicia / Permit Imprints - markings on a mail piece showing that postage has been paid by the sender

Very strict standards in U.S. Postal Service for design, placement, and content of indicia

EXAMPLES OF INDICIA

SOME MORE EXAMPLES...

AND ONE MORE

INDICIA STANDARDS5.3.1: Production Embossed or unembossed permit imprint indicia may be made by printing press, hand stamp ... or similar device. They may not be typewritten or hand-drawn. 5.3.3: Indicia Legibility and Color

The permit imprint indicia must be legible and of a color that contrasts sufficiently ... for readability. A different color may be used to highlight the background.

INDICIA STANDARDS5.3.4: Indicia Placement on Mailpiece Permit imprint indicia must read in the same direction as the delivery address ... must not encroach on reserved space and can be placed in one of these four positions: a. Upper right corner of the mailpiece. b. Upper right corner of the address area. c. To the right of the address on an address label. d. To the right of the address on an insert appearing through a window envelope.

INDICIA STANDARDS5.3.6&7: ... Format NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

CITY, STATEPERMIT NO. 1234

Optionally, may show the mailing date, amount of postage paid, number of ounces for which postage is paid, and the ZIP Code

INDICIA STANDARDS5.3.11: Optional Indicia Format a) Outlining box is optional b) .5 inch by .5 inch minimum rectangular areac) No excess printingd) Same as c) but worded differentlye) Minimum font size of 4 pointsf) Except as required to enclose the permit information, decorative designs intended to be part of the indicia design must appear below or to the left of the permit information in an area extending no farther than 4-1/2 inches to the left of the right edge, and 1-1/2 inches below the top edge of the mailpiece, address area, or address label, as applicable. Such designs must not resemble or imitate a postage meter imprint, postage stamp, postcard postage, or other postage payment method; and they must not include words, symbols, or designs used by the USPS to identify a class of mail, price of postage, or level of service, unless such elements are correctly used under the applicable standards for the mailpiece on which they appear and the corresponding postage and fees have been paid.

RESOURCES

http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/Carter, Rob. "US Postal Service Stamp Design Program." Graphis . Jan-Feb 2004, p. 126.Finlay, William. An Illustrated History of Stamp Design , 1974.http://www.usps.com/postagesolutions/