Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Fujifilm Launches Customized Postage Stamps

Fujifilm launched a new service for personalized postage called YourStamps.com, which allows photographers to put their photos on customized stamps for retail pick-up or have the personalized stamps shipped to them.

“YourStamps exemplifies Fujifilm’s commitment to supporting its retailers by providing innovative new ways to increase revenue and drive in-store traffic,” said Fujifilm vice president of Marketing and Strategic Analysis Gael Lundeen. “YourStamps is a very affordable and extremely easy way for retailers to create potential year-round new revenue streams,” said Lundeen.

Americans spend $22 billion on stamps each year, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Research shows that as much of 20 percent of those consumers would buy customized postage, stated a March 14 Fuji company press release. With Fuji’s YourStamps, users can purchase stamps worth 24 cents up to $4.05, including the standard 39 cents for a regular-sized letter. Users can choose not only the image but layout, font, text, and borders. Fuji states on their website that customized postage could be used for wedding invitations, showcasing personal artwork, or even promoting a new business.

Restrictions on the personalized stamps include that consumers must have copyright ownership or authorization for using a photo or logo. Consumers are also prohibited from using obscene or pornographic images. The size of Fuji YourStamps postage is larger than a regular U.S. postage stamp, measuring 1.3 x 2.1 inches with the actual photo measuring 1 x 1.7 inches. One sheet, consisting of 20 x 39 cent stamps will cost $17.99, about 10 dollars over the standard $7.80 that people would pay for regular postage. If there is not a participating retailer in your area, the stamps can be shipped for an additional charge.

This is a perfect promotional tool for photographers who want to display images, company name and website URL on a postage stamp. Place these on your company mailings or give a sheet to clients as part of a photo package. Interested photographers can make their own customized stamps at http://www.yourstamps.com/.

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