U. S. stamp design is a multi-stage program involving subject selection, historical and visual research, art direction, production, review, printing and release—not a single artist submitting finished postage.

From a subject idea to an issued stamp

Members of the public may submit written subject suggestions through the current Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee route. USPS recommends sending ideas well in advance because review and development take time; the current address and lead-time guidance should be checked on the CSAC page before submission.

A subject proposal is not an art commission. USPS does not review unsolicited finished stamp artwork sent with an idea. Professional illustrators, designers and photographers should follow the portfolio route stated by USPS rather than attaching work to a subject suggestion. Final art and reproduction rights are handled through the authorized stamp-development process. This is separate from discontinued customized-photo postage and from rubber-stamp design.

From idea to issued stamp

  1. Public proposals: Ideas can be submitted under the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee’s criteria and lead-time rules.
  2. Program selection: The committee evaluates subjects and recommends a program; the Postmaster General makes final decisions.
  3. Research and art direction: USPS assigns an art director, defines the issue and checks names, dates, objects and rights.
  4. Artwork: An artist, illustrator, designer or photographer develops imagery. The art director turns it into a stamp-scale composition.
  5. Typography and production: Service wording, denomination indicators, colors, separations, tagging, die cuts or perforations and sheet format are resolved.
  6. Review and manufacturing: Proofs are checked before secure printing and distribution.
  7. Announcement and issue: USPS publishes official details, a first-day location/date and availability information.

Artist, designer and art director are different credits

The artist may create the source image; the designer composes the final stamp; the art director guides the issue across research, image selection and production. One person can hold more than one role, but credits should be copied from an official issue record rather than guessed from style.

What changes between sketch and stamp

A stamp must remain legible at very small size and survive printing constraints. Cropping, contrast, simplified detail, lettering, color separations and format can all change. The printed pane also needs selvage, plate or position information and production marks that are not part of the central artwork.

How to research a design

  • Start with the USPS newsroom issue page or Postal Bulletin.
  • Record the artist, designer, art director and photographer as separate fields.
  • Distinguish announcement date from issue date.
  • Use museum collections for production material and essays.
  • Respect image licensing; owning a stamp does not transfer artwork copyright.

Browse our stamp release archive to separate announced, scheduled and issued items.

Subject ideas and professional portfolios use different routes

A public subject suggestion is one topic in one mailed letter to Stamp Development, Attn: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300, Washington, DC 20260-3501. Submit it at least three years before the proposed issue year. USPS does not accept subject proposals by email, telephone or an in-person appointment, and unsolicited finished stamp artwork sent with a proposal is not reviewed.

A professional portfolio goes to Stamp Development, Attn: Stamp Design, at the same street address. Send printed samples such as tear sheets or color copies, not original art or slides; submissions are not returned. An accepted portfolio only enters the talent file. It does not promise a commission, and commissioned work uses a flat-fee contract rather than competitive bidding.

Reproduction and custom-design boundary

USPS holds copyright in its stamp designs. Reproduction or reuse must follow the applicable USPS rights and permissions process. A subject proposal, a professional portfolio, custom digital postage and a rubber-stamp design are separate tasks; none of the first two lets a customer create self-approved USPS postage.

Source: USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee and portfolio instructions.

Sources and review note

Reviewed August 31, 2026. Postal products, prices and rules can change; verify current USPS guidance before mailing or buying.

Primary sources