Strange and unusual custom stamps by Canada Post and how to personalize your own
Custom and personalized stamps by Canada Post are a real thing even if it's not something a lot of people know about.
Over the years, Canada Post has undoubtedly produced some pretty unusual stamps now that people can personalize them with their own photos.
Using the Picture Postage service, Canadians can pay to have an image of their choice printed on a sheet of stamps. Although somewhat costly ($68 for a sheet of domestic stamps), it has led to some creative outcomes.
Not sure how many of you know this, but you can upload images, in the Canada Post app, to make your own personalized stamps. I’ve done it once before, and thought I’d make stamps of this drawing I made last year. It’s fun! 😁 https://t.co/eNlOjvC1ly pic.twitter.com/VMDShWx36k
— Sarah Bandey (@SBandey) April 14, 2020
One in particular came from a federal government employee named James Bone who had a sheet of official Canada Post stamps made with an image of the detached head of a Sir John A. Macdonald statue that was toppled in Montreal.
The detached head from the racist John A. Macdonald statue in Montreal has been immortalized as a postage stamp! Mischievous government workers got this printed through Canada Post’s Picture Postage program. INFO: https://t.co/1V9zfH0gZh #cdnpoli #MacdonaldMustFall #polmtl pic.twitter.com/U5H6mOzCH2
— No Borders Media (@NoBordersMedia) September 11, 2020
While his tweet with a photo of the stamps was deleted, alongside the image, he wrote, "Please RT if f**k colonialism," adding that he'd send them to anyone for free "if you or your ancestors were f**ked over by Macdonald."
Much to the dismay of many who wanted a sheet for themselves, Canada Post put out a tweet saying that the photo does not meet the terms and conditions of the program.
Please note this submission to the Picture Postage program does not meet the Terms and Conditions of the program and therefore shouldn’t have been processed. We apologize and are reviewing our processes. Our terms and conditions can be found at https://t.co/DaY6Rj0eja.
— Canada Post (@canadapostcorp) September 9, 2020
"Canada Post is currently investigating how this image, submitted online by a customer, cleared the approval process. This process is in place to vet and approve images and text submitted by customers for producing personalized stamps through our Picture Postage program," they said in a written statement to Freshdaily.
As a result of this incident, Canada Post has cracked down on their approval process to make sure it doesn't happen again.
"This image does not meet the terms and conditions of the program and should not have been approved or printed. We apologize and will take measures to ensure our vetting and approval processes are strengthened and closely followed," the statement continued.
“@tomgrundy: Unlike Finland, Canadian post office rejects custom #OccupyHK stamp design via @kiwigummy pic.twitter.com/S2LaDeRv9R” Blame Canada
— Chris Azure (@garunya) November 28, 2014
Since the Picture Postage program was launched, people have used it to create some lighthearted and hilarious designs, like personalized Christmas stamps.
Great Christmas gift from known-associate @the_danimal4 - Canada Post stamps with a personal touch. Bravo. pic.twitter.com/Y5sg8ChP2y
— John Sharkman (@JohnSharkman) December 19, 2013
Others have simply taken the opportunity to upload a photo of themselves.
Personal Stamps by Canada Post. Made a first day cover for the stamps. pic.twitter.com/mvvnSK28a5
— bohdan skrobach (@bohdanskrobach) July 22, 2020
Canadians have even marked special occasions on their stamps like trips and weddings.
Just Pinned to Instagram: Stamps of myself will be travelling to Russia Germany The Netherlands and Finland on #Postcrossing today Custom made with the Picture Postage feature from Canada Post. Its a commemorative stamp unlike any other! #Stamps #P… https://t.co/45R3Je2a52 pic.twitter.com/4TBsqnmViM
— Jamila Mikhail 🇨🇦 (@KeepUrGoodHeart) December 4, 2017
Canadian writer and cartoonist Kevin Sylvester used the program to create adorable stamps featuring his children's book character Gargantua Jr.
Was chatting with @barbreidart and she said you could get personalized stamps from @canadapostcorp
— Kevin Sylvester (@kevinarts) September 25, 2019
SO I DID!!! #GargantuaJr will adorn envelopes of pre-holiday cartoons to booksellers in Canada and the US (let me know if you want some booksellers) @GroundwoodBooks pic.twitter.com/2L6Pd5XJab
Who knew stamps could cause such a commotion.
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