## Summer Sunset Stamp: What Collectors And Nonprofits Need To Know

The Postal Service will release the Summer Sunset stamp on June 25, 2026, with the official ceremony set for Edgartown, Massachusetts. It’s a nondenominated stamp sold at the nonprofit organization rate (5 cents) and issued only in pressure-sensitive adhesive coils. Two configurations are available: a 3,000-stamp coil (Item 752300) and a 10,000-stamp coil (Item 763100). These coils will be available nationwide beginning on the June 25 release date and should not be sold or postmarked before that day.

## Design, Art, And Production Notes

### Image And Artistic Credits
The stamp reproduces an oil painting of a vivid sunset viewed from Menemsha, the small fishing hamlet in Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard. The image was supplied by artist Rachael Cassiani and adapted for the stamp under the direction of Derry Noyes, who handled art direction and design.

### How It Was Printed And Built
Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. produced the stamps using offset printing with microprinting details on a Muller A76 press. Colors are standard CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). The adhesive is pressure-sensitive; paper is Nonphosphored Type III. The vertical-format stamp’s image area measures 0.7300 x 0.8400 inches and the overall stamp is 0.8700 x 0.9800 inches.

## Item Numbers, Quantities, And Technical Specs

### 3,000-Stamp Coil (Item 752300)
– Coil length: 3,000 stamps per coil.
– Print run listed: 12,000,000 stamps total.
– Modeler credited: Daryl DeMont.
– Plate details: plate size is 594 stamps per revolution; plate numbers appear as “P” followed by four digits; plate number frequency is every 27th stamp, positioned below the image.

### 10,000-Stamp Coil (Item 763100)
– Coil length: 10,000 stamps per coil.
– Print run listed: 2,000,000,000 stamps total.
– Modeler credited: Joseph Sheeran.
– Plate and coil numbering match the smaller coil: same plate size, plate-number format and frequency.

Other shared production details: orientation is vertical; manufacturing process includes offset and microprint; stamp colors are CMYK.

## Availability For Post Offices And Ordering Procedure

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not push these coils automatically to retail locations. Post offices that expect demand should place orders themselves. Orders can be entered through the SFS Web ordering system (sfsweb.usps.gov) and may be placed before the first-day-of-issue.

## First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks: How To Request One

### Timeline And Mailing Address
A first-day-of-issue (FDOI) postmark marks the date a stamp becomes valid for postage. If you want the official FDOI cancel on your envelopes, you have 120 days from issue to request it by mail. All mail-in requests (Traditional Black-and-White or Digital Color Postmark) must be postmarked no later than October 25, 2026, and sent to:

FDOI – Summer Sunset Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

### Traditional Black-And-White Postmark Process
Buy the new stamps from any Post Office or through USA Philatelic. Affix enough postage for First-Class Mail, address the envelopes (to yourself or others), place those envelopes inside a larger mailing envelope, and mail to the address above. The Postal Service will apply the black-and-white FDOI cancel and return the envelopes by mail.

### Digital Color Postmark Rules And Material Guidelines
Only some stamp issues are offered with a digital color postmark; Summer Sunset is among the select issues that qualify. Digital color postmarks must be applied to paper envelopes only. Submit #6 or #10 envelopes made from laser-safe paper. The Postal Service recommends 80‑pound Accent Opaque, acid-free envelopes with 9/16-inch side seams and no glue on the flap. Do not use self-adhesive address labels.

A few more technical points:
– Maximum postmark imprint size: 2 inches high by 4 inches wide.
– Leave room on the envelope for the mark.
– Include two test envelopes so the equipment can be calibrated.
– There’s a 50-cent fee for each postmark performed. Payment may be by check, money order, or credit card at the time of service.

The Postal Service can refuse envelopes that are hand-painted or otherwise incompatible with its equipment, and it may substitute a traditional black postmark if the chosen envelopes would damage or foul the machinery.

## First-Day Covers And Catalog Ordering

The Postal Service offers official first-day covers postmarked with the FDOI cancellation; these items carry individual catalog numbers and are sold through the USA Philatelic catalog and online at the USPS store. Locally produced or unofficial first-day covers are not permitted—only merchandise authorized and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced. You can request the printed catalog online via the USPS philatelic page.

## Why Collectors And Nonprofit Mailers Might Care

For nonprofits, this is a practical low-cost postage option for qualified bulk mailings. For collectors, the coil format and plate-numbering scheme create opportunities. Plate numbers every 27th stamp mean you can hunt for specific plate-number multiples or strips; the microprint element and offset process can be inspected under magnification for print characteristics. The vastly different print quantities for the two coil formats (12 million versus 2 billion stated) make availability expectations clear: most post offices will have access to plenty of the 10,000-coil product, while the 3,000 coils are still plentiful but relatively smaller in planned output.

If you’re preparing FDOI covers, follow the material specs closely. Poorly made envelopes or the use of labels will get your request rejected or converted to a simple black cancel. Bring a couple of test pieces and the right paper, and you’ll avoid delays.

© 2025 USPS

#### Quick Reference: Key Figures And Formats
– Issue Date & City: June 25, 2026 — Edgartown, MA 02539
– Denomination: Nondenominated (Nonprofit rate, 5 cents)
– Items: 752300 (PSA Coil of 3,000), 763100 (PSA Coil of 10,000)
– Printers/Press: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd., Muller A76
– Paper/Adhesive: Nonphosphored Type III / Pressure-sensitive
– Image Area (W x H): 0.7300 x 0.8400 in; Stamp Size: 0.8700 x 0.9800 in
– Plate Size & Frequency: 594 per revolution; plate number (“P” + 4 digits) every 27th stamp below image

Collectors watching for plate-number varieties or specialty FDOI color cancels should plan ahead. Many dealers and collecotrs will request platestrips or numbered-coil segments early.