For anyone new to this, postmarking involves leaving an imprint or a stamp on a package or letter, that lets you know when the item was picked up by the post office or courier’s main office. They are used for various things, most importantly canceling posts, knowing the main office first picked up your package and keeping track of when they first got it so your delivery does not run late.
What Does Postmarking Mean for the USPS?
For the USPS, postmarking is mainly a way to let clients know their package was accepted. Then it gets a stamp, either placed by machines or done manually. The stamps show the date and time the package was first accepted and more importantly, which post office got it. They may come in different formats depending on the company. USPS uses its kind of postmarking.
Then there is the cancellation bar that comes with the postmark. Understanding this can be a little confusing, so think of it as a postmark placed on the stamp. The main purpose of the cancellation bar is to make sure that the stamp cannot be used again. Most of the time they show as several jagged lines, but they change depending on the company.
How Does USPS Do Postmarking?
USPS applies postmarks to most standard posts and priority posts when they accept them. Clients can always request for one to be placed on their package, especially if it is for something urgent like bills or tax payments. USPS does postmarks in three processes: automated, mechanical, and manual.
Postmarks did by USPS usually come with the full name of the office, state abbreviation, zip code, and date. Sometimes customers place a lot of importance on how they want their postmarks done. So you can expect most offices to have a postmark available, this remains the case for USPS.
To request one, clients are advised to visit their post office and consult a clerk at one of the counters. The majority of the time, clients do get their postmark. However, you ought to know that if you do get the postmark, it has to be mailed and you cannot get the package back. Then, you ought to be prepared to send the package off when you visit the post office.
Are There Different Types of Postmarks?
There are two main types, standard postmarks and postage validated imprints. Standard postmarks are made by USPS before they send a package for delivery. They only really work based on cancelation and are not used for much else.
Postage validated postmarks are used more by post offices when they receive packages. They show the time and date of acceptance and are generally used for packages that need to be delivered urgently. Generally, only standard deliveries get a postmark, other mail types like, self-service, automated stamps, metered mail do not because they already have dates.
Why Does USPS Postmark Mail?
USPS does it for one of three reasons, the first one being to stop stamps from being reused. That is why they always come with cancelation bars. If someone were to get a hold of the package and try to reuse the stamp, it would not work. The stamp would scan are having been used before. USPS does this to help keep up with profits.
The second one is so USPS keeps up with delivery deadlines. Most stamps come with a date printed on them so couriers know when and how quickly the package needs to be delivered. Different mail types have different priorities for how quickly they need to be delivered. To get an idea, you look at the postmark date.
Third, is that postmarks are to increase the credibility of some posts. Like bills and tax payments. The postmarks, let couriers know these are time-sensitive. Aside from the above, they are a good way of knowing who sent your mail, especially in the event it gets lost.
Conclusion
Postmarks are stamps or imprints placed on packages by post offices. They show the date and time the post office gets the package and they help keep the rack of delivery windows. This is especially the case for packages that have a higher priority. They also show which post office accepted your package and not to be forgotten is the cancelation bars. That way stamps cannot be reused. If your package were ever to get lost, you could trace it back to the post office, although packages getting lost is a rare occurrence.
