Creating 

U.S. Postage 

Stamps

Stamps show the depth 

and breadth of American 

culture. They honor our 

heroes, celebrate our 

achievements, and reflect 

our national identity.

The United States Postal Service® 

receives more than 40,000 pieces 

of correspondence about the 

stamp program each year. The 

creation of a stamp, from concept 

to production, involves a variety of 

talents and processes.

Keep reading to learn more about 

how U.S. postage stamps are created 

and how you can be involved.

1
What if I have an idea for 

a stamp subject?

The Postal ServiceTM welcomes suggestions for 

stamp subjects that celebrate the American 

experience. Any proposal that meets the 

established criteria will be considered. If you are 

interested in submitting an idea, please follow 

these four steps:

1. Carefully consider the criteria for 

appropriate stamp subjects. (See “What are 

the selection criteria for stamp subjects?” on 

pages 4–5).

2. Submit your proposal in writing by U.S. 

Mail®. No materials can be returned. No 

in-person appeals, phone calls, or e-mails 

are accepted.

3. Include pertinent historical information and 

important dates associated with the subject 

in your proposal.

4. Mail your suggestion (one idea per letter) to 

the following address:

Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

c/o Stamp Development

U.S. Postal Service

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW Room 3300

Washington DC 20260-3501

2
3

What is the Citizens’ Stamp 

Advisory Committee?

Established in 1957, the Citizens’ Stamp 

Advisory Committee (CSAC) serves the 

Postmaster General of the United States. 

Using their collective expertise in history, 

science, technology, art, education, sports, 

and other areas of public interest, CSAC 

members consider and then recommend 

stamp subjects to the Postmaster General, 

who makes the final selections.

CSAC meets quarterly. Meetings are closed 

and deliberations are confidential.

The Postal Service’s stamp development 

staff handles all administrative matters and 

correspondence for the Committee.

How does the subject 

selection process work?

All suggestions that meet the necessary criteria 

and submission guidelines are presented to the 

Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee at the next 

quarterly meeting. Each proposal is presented 

without attribution and receives the same level 

of consideration.

If the Committee decides not to recommend a 

subject for issuance as a stamp, the proposal 

can be submitted again for reconsideration 

following a three-year interval.

Proponents are not notified and no credit or 

compensation is given for the submission of a 

stamp subject that is selected.
What are the selection 

criteria for stamp subjects?

The U.S. Postal Service and the members of 

the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee have 

set certain basic criteria used to determine the 

eligibility of subjects for commemoration on all 

U.S. stamps and stationery:

1. U.S. postage stamps and stationery will 

primarily feature American or Americanrelated subjects. Other subjects may be 

considered if the subject had significant 

impact on American history, culture, or 

environment.

2. The Postal Service will honor extraordinary 

and enduring contributions to American 

society, history, culture, or environment.

3. U.S. stamp programs are planned and 

developed two to three years in advance. 

In order to be considered, subject matter 

suggestions should be submitted 3 or more 

years in advance of the proposed stamp for 

issuance. 

4. Living people will not be considered at the 

present time. Beginning in 2018, proposals 

for a deceased individual could be 

considered 3 years following his/her death.

5. A memorial stamp will be issued honoring 

U.S. presidents after they are deceased.

6. Events of historical significance will 

be considered for commemoration on 

anniversaries in multiples of 50 years.

7. A balance of stamp subjects that includes 

themes of widespread national appeal 

and significance will be considered 

for commemoration. Official postal 

4
cancellations, which may be arranged 

through the local postmaster, may be 

requested for significant local events or 

commemorations.

8. Commemorative statehood stamps will be 

issued at intervals of 50 years from the date 

of the state’s first entry into the Union.

9. The stamp program commemorates 

positive contributions to American life, 

history, culture, and environment; therefore, 

negative occurrences and disasters will not 

be commemorated on U.S. postage stamps 

or stationery.

10. Due to the limitations placed on annual 

postal programs and the vast number of 

locales, organizations, and institutions 

in existence, it would be difficult to 

single out any one of the following for 

commemoration: government agencies, 

localities, non-profit organizations, 

associations, and similar entities. Stamps or 

stationery items will not be issued to honor 

religious institutions or individuals whose 

principal achievements are associated with 

religious undertakings or beliefs. However, 

these subjects may be recognized with 

commemorative postmarks.

11. Stamps may be issued for the five activeduty branches – Air Force, Army, Coast 

Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. This 

includes Reserve/Guard components of the 

current organizational structure. Stamps 

for the major service academies will be 

considered on a case-by-case basis for 

50-year anniversaries (or multiples thereof). 

5
Who designs the stamps after 

they are approved? 

When CSAC approves a proposed stamp 

subject, Stamp Development is assigned the 

task of developing the stamp design.

Stamp Development has professional art 

directors under contract to oversee the 

creation of stamp designs. The art directors, 

in turn, work with professional designers, 

artists, illustrators, and photographers to 

produce what has become one of the most 

publicly visible forms of art. 

Because extensive verification is performed on 

each detail of a stamp’s design and because 

production procedures are complex, design 

development usually begins several years in 

advance of issuance.

Approximately 25 stamp subjects are assigned 

to artists each year. While only a small 

percentage of artists are new to the Postal 

Service, Stamp Development is continually 

searching for new talent.

6

The Postal Service 

will honor 

extraordinary 

and enduring 

contributions to 

American society, 

history, culture, 

or environment.

SELECTION CRITERION NO. 2
9

7

In order to have your work considered, please 

use the following submission guidelines:

1. Submit a portfolio of samples in print form 

(tear sheets, color copies, etc.) that best 

represent your style of work. Samples are 

not returned; neither original art nor slides 

will be accepted.

2. Do not submit artwork or photographs 

for specific consideration as a stamp. 

Unsolicited stamp designs will not be 

reviewed or considered. Interviews are 

not granted.

3. Mail your portfolio to the following address: 

U.S. Postal Service

Stamp Development

ATTN: Stamp Design

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW Room 3300

Washington DC 20260-3501

When a portfolio meets the requirements 

of stamp design and receives approval from 

Stamp Development, it is placed in a talent file. 

This file is reviewed periodically as new stamp 

subjects are assigned. Stamp Development 

makes artist selections in consultation with 

CSAC and the art directors. If the design staff 

is interested in commissioning a service, it will 

contact the selected photographer, illustrator, 

artist, or designer.

Stamp Development assigns each contract. 

Contracts are a flat fee; there is no 

competitive bid process.
Reproducing stamps

U.S. postage stamp designs are copyrighted 

by the Postal Service. If you wish to reproduce 

stamp designs, you must contact the Postal 

Service. 

For information and permission, visit: about.

usps.com/doing-business/rights-permissions/

stamp-use-information.htm.

8

Conclusion

We hope this brochure addresses all of your 

questions. The U.S. Postal Service strives 

to create a stamp program that reflects the 

diversity of our nation and provides wide 

national appeal. Thank you for your interest.

 To view the information in this brochure 

online, visit: about.usps.com/who-we-are/csac/

welcome.htm.

 To order stamps and stamp products online, 

visit: usps.com/stamps.

 To receive free quarterly copies of USA Philatelic, 

the official source for the complete listing of 

U.S. Postal Service stamps and stamp products, 

call 1-800-782-6724 or visit: usps.com/philatelic.

Publication 226 • 2020

©2020 United States Postal Service®. All Rights Reserved.