Whether you’re running a small business or you’re planning a wedding, when you have a lot of postage to purchase, you’ll want to save time doing it online.
Well, using the United States Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship feature, you can do just that, and send anything from Priority Mail to Retail Ground. But can you print stamps for USPS? Does USPS’s Click-N-Ship allow for printing out Forever postage? Here’s what you need to know!
Can You Print Stamps for USPS?
The United States Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship tool, which can be used to purchase postage online, does not allow customers to purchase and print stamps in 2024. Those must still be purchased in Post Office locations, though it can be done at the kiosks. As well, some third-party vendors like Stamps.com do allow customers to purchase First-Class postage.
To learn more about where you can buy a stamp and print it, if you can print them on regular paper, if it’s possible to print postage directly onto an envelope, and even how to use USPS kiosks to purchase stamps, keep reading!
Can You Buy a Stamp Online and Print It Out?
If you’re using USPS’s Click-N-Ship tool to purchase postage, then you cannot buy a stamp online and print it out.
Rather, only very specific business customers have the ability to do so.
Instead, you must go and visit your local Post Office location to purchase stamps.
There is a workaround, though, if you’re a small business owner or you’re willing to pay for the ability to print stamps.
Specifically, Stamps.com is an approved licensed vendor of USPS goods and services, including all different kinds of postage.
For $17.99 per month, plus the cost of postage (which you can get for a discount in some cases), you can print even First-Class postage right in your home or office.
As well, you can even print stamps right on the envelope – no Netstamps printer paper needed.
Can You Print Stamps On Printer Paper?
You cannot print stamps on printer paper, as there would be nothing with which to affix the stamp to the envelope.
Tape and glue are poor options because both can fail, leading to your envelope heading back to the return address.
Instead, special sticker paper called Netstamps printer paper is ideally suited for this purpose.
It’s shaped like a stamp, with the ridges, and fluorescent watermarked for security.
As well, it’s peel and stick, so just like regular stamps, it comes with stickiness built-in.
Further, Stamps.com sells Netstamps printer paper in a variety of styles, starting from $5.89 for five sheets (all the way up to $222.49 for 250 sheets).
Can You Print Postage Directly On the Envelope?
If you are using Stamps.com to print postage, then you can print directly onto an envelope.
In the main menu bar running down the left-hand side of the screen, select Envelopes.
From there, you will check to make sure the return address is correct, and you can add in or select a delivery address from your contacts.
Afterward, you can select what kind of envelope you’re sending, enter the weight, and select First-Class Mail.
If your envelope weighs more than one ounce, the total will update automatically.
Next, make sure your envelope is loaded up into the printer correctly and select Print Postage.
For a handy step-by-step video tutorial, check out this YouTube video here.
Can You Make Your Own USPS Stamps?
Until recently, you could make your own stamps, using sites like PhotoStamps.com or Zazzle.com.
Unfortunately, USPS ended its customized postage program, so you’re no longer able to make your own. However, there are still options if you want to individualize your printed stamps.
Stamps.com sells Netstamps in a variety of different styles, including cherry blossoms, turtles, American flags, Lady Liberty, and much more.
(Check out all the different NetStamps styles here.)
What Does a USPS Self-Service Kiosk Do?
There is a terrific alternative to standing in line at the Post Office, while the person in front of you argues with the clerk over the price of Priority Mail.
So, if your Post Office has them, USPS self-service kiosks are a great way to get in and get out, without having to actually interact with anybody.
Self-service kiosks allow you to do the following:
- Purchase postage for First-Class, Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and Retail Ground
- Purchase add-on services, like Signature Confirmation or Delivery Confirmation
- Purchase stamps
- Allows you to pay with debit, credit, or EBT cards.
For instance, say you need to buy stamps (and you don’t have a Stamps.com account, because it just doesn’t make sense for your life or budget).
Well, the self-service kiosks are a nice balance between buying them online (which you can’t do) and heading up to the busy counter.
How Do You Use USPS Self-Service Kiosk for Stamps?
It’s very simple and straightforward to purchase stamps using the USPS self-service kiosk!
Simply go up to the machine and press on the screen to “awaken” it.
“Purchase stamps” is going to be one of the main menu items, so you can press on it.
Next, it’ll ask what kind of stamps you want: 1 oz. First-Class Mail Forever stamps, Other International Letters, or Other Stamp Value.
If you’re opting for First-Class Forever stamps, you can press on that and it will ask you how many you want while showing you your total cost below.
(You can purchase just one, by the way!)
Click Next, and it will show you your shopping cart, giving you the option to add more or check out.
When you’re ready to check out, it’ll ask you for payment. Here, you can use your debit or credit card.
After your payment is authorized, your stamp(s) will appear in the lit-up bin below (that reads labels and postage).
For a full tutorial on how this works, check out this YouTube video!
To learn more, you can also read our posts on USPS stamp types, do USPS stamps expire, and does USPS buy back unused stamps.
Conclusion
While you can’t use USPS Click-N-Ship to purchase stamps, you can get them online and print them out, either onto sheets or onto envelopes, using Stamps.com.
However, USPS has made buying stamps at your local Post Office easier than ever, with Self-Service kiosks, which allow you to purchase stamps without having to wait in line.
