Vintage Postage 101
Everything that you need to know about using vintage postage for your wedding invitations!
Vintage postage stamps are little pieces of art and they are perfect for wedding invitations because they will set your envelope apart. Vintage postage stamps can be curated to reflect your personal style, wedding themes and colors (that’s where I come in -- vintage postage curation is my speciality)! Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of brides on their wedding postage and I have noticed that a couple of recurring questions have come up. Okay so let’s demystify vintage postage stamps and break down everything that you need to know about them!
If you’re interested in vintage stamps, you can shop our extensive collection here! On our site you can even find our curation services where we’ll custom collect a set of vintage postage just for you to tell your unique story!
Are these real stamps that can be used to send out letters or are they just decorative?
All of our postage stamps are real, postage stamps that were originally issued by the United States Postal Services!
This invitation suite was design and printed by the Little Postage House.
Aren’t vintage postage stamps really old? Can I even use them anymore?
Yes! Vintage postage stamps can be really old! I have curated designs for brides that includes postage stamps from the early 1900s. The beauty of postage stamps is that they are like currency and they can be used even if they are really old. Postage stamps never expire, so as long as the postage stamps are unused, you should be all be set and can use them to mail your wedding invitations!
Are they self-stick like modern stamps or do I need to lick each one onto my envelopes?
A handful of our vintage postage stamps (the ones from the late 1990s) are self stick. However, the bulk of vintage postage stamps are not self adhesive. Instead, the stamps have a gum on the back that becomes sticky when it is moist. So you can either lick them, use a moist sponge on them, or just use a glue stick to adhere them! We send instructions with each order to walk you through the different options. We also offer full assembly and mailing services if you want want us to this handle for you!
How many stamps do I need on each envelope? How will I know that I have the right postage amount to mail out my invitation?
The stamps on the envelope (whether they are modern or vintage postage stamps) need to add up to the correct amount of postage to send out your letter. The amount of postage that you need to mail out any letter or wedding invitation will vary based on the weight and the shape of the wedding invitation. For example, a modern forever stamp only has enough postage to send out a standard letter that weighs under 1 ounce. If your letter is square shaped, has a wax seal, or weighs over 1 ounce, you are going to need extra postage!
During the vintage postage curation process, we will discuss your wedding invitation suite and we will estimate the amount of postage that you will need to send out your wedding invitations! Prior to mailing your wedding invitations, I always recommend that clients take a sample of the invitation suite (complete with all of the details -- wax seal and all) to the Post Office. They will measure it, weigh it and let you know exactly how much postage is required!
I really love your vintage postage, but I need to mail out 200 envelopes. Do you have that many stamps? Can I still use vintage postage stamps?
That is not a problem at all! I have worked with brides that have had over 200 invitations to send out! I keep thousands of vintage postage stamps in my collection and would be delighted to work with you!
All of the vintage postage stamps that I have seen are really low denominations (they’re like 5 cents each), how many stamps would need to mail out my invitations? I want don’t want a million stamps on my envelopes.
Vintage postage stamps come in a ton of different denominations! Sure, there are 1 cent and 5 cent vintage stamps. But there are also, 32 cent and even $1 vintage postage stamps. We can put together a vintage postage collection with a handful of postage stamps!
If you have any other questions, just email me (info@littlepostagehouse.com)!
