Anyone can submit an idea for a stamp. About 50,000 ideas are submitted each year! See information below about where to submit an idea.

For a long time the Postmaster General decided what should go on stamps. Then in 1957 the Postmaster General created a committee to review the ideas.

1. Citizens submit stamp ideas

   Anyone can submit an idea but you need to follow a few rules (see how to submit and the rules).

2. The ideas are considered

   The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee, a group of 12 to 15 members, considers all ideas submitted (they receive about 50,000 ideas a year!).

3. Recommendations are made

   The Committee then recommends about 35 new subjects for commemorative stamps each year to the Postmaster General.

4. A decision is made

   The Postmaster General makes the final decision.

5. An artist begins officially creating the stamps

   After a stamp subject has been selected, the Committee commissions an artist to undertake the project and the artist begins drawing preliminary designs.

6. Stamps are printed

   Once a drawing is approved, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing or an outside contractor prints the stamp. The stamps are then perforated and inspected for flaws and the finished stamps are sent to post offices and held for date of issue.

7. Stamps go on sale

   Finally, the stamps go on sale at post offices nationwide.