Frequently Asked Questions

A: Electronic Indicia

A: DYMO Printable Postage has replaced InstaPostage in name and design. If you still have InstaPostage sheets, you can use them with the new Printable Postage software along with the new DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets and DYMO Stamps Postage Label rolls, but you can use the InstaPostage sheets only if you have a paid DYMO Endicia service plan account.

A: One major benefit of upgrading to a paid service plan is the major discount that you can receive on Printable Postage or DYMO Stamps supplies. You will also benefit from the great service plan features including: printing all mail classes and weights available at the retail counter of the Post Office, certain postage discounts, postage logs (see where you are spending money), integrated address verification (no more returned mail), mail customization (print directly on envelopes with your logo) and much more. Many of these additional features that you get with a service plan are in the DAZzle product are not in Printable Postage. Compare the service plans.

A: The program automatically notifies you of updates through a dialog box.

A: You should use the same mail class and amount that you use for postage that you buy directly from the USPS. For more information, see https://www.usps.com/ship/service-chart.htm.

A: Run the Mailpiece Wizard by clicking the Guide Me button.

A: A mailpiece describes the type of item that you are mailing, such as a postcard, a regular letter envelope, a large envelope (commonly called a Flat by the USPS), or a package. Some mailpieces and their sizes include:

• Postcard: Maximum size 4 inches x 6 inches
• Letter Envelope: Maximum size 6 inches x 11 inches
• Large Envelope (Flat): Maximum size 3/4 inches thick, 12 inches tall, or 15 inches long
• Package: Length plus girth (circumference) cannot exceed 108 inches
• Flat Rate Envelope: For Priority Mail or Express Mail Flat Rate packaging
• Medium Flat Rate Box: For Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging
• Large Flat Rate Box: For Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging

A: Yes. Postage rates are determined by mailpiece type, shape, and weight. Failing to select the correct mailpiece and weight may result in your mail being returned, undelivered, or arriving at the sender with "Postage Due".

A: Yes. You should handle postage stamps that you print using Printable Postage by Endicia in the same way you handle any USPS postage that you purchase.

A: Your postage amount is always more accurate with a scale. The rates embedded in the software are always up-to-date and will provide the postage you should use if you know and input the mailpiece type and weight. Refer to the USPS Web site (www.usps.com) for the latest information on postage prices. For more information, see https://www.usps.com/ship/service-chart.htm

A: No, but be aware that postage prices change, and although you can use your any unused, printed postage toward new prices, you cannot use postage you print with old rates in place of new rates. The Printable Postage by Endicia software always has the most up-to-date rates.

A: You set up a postage account through Endicia.com. A valid credit card, debit card, or ACH information is required for setup. From this account, you pay for the postage that you print. When your account is setup, you have the option to deposit money into the account (pre-pay for your postage), or wait until you are ready for your first print. Each time that you print postage, money is deducted from your postage account and your account balance is adjusted to reflect the amount you print, printed, or will print.

A: The software will automatically prompt you to add funds to your postage account. You can also click the Buy Postage icon at any time to add more funds to your account.

Postage cannot be purchased through the Web site, only through the software.

A: Yes. Payment processing transactions use industry standard encryption that is designed to ensure your information is safe.

A: Yes! Effective September 30, 2011, you can obtain refunds for misprinted postage. Please note the following requirements:

• The misprinted stamp must not be used or enter the mailstream: it cannot be postmarked, stamped, or returned by the U.S. Postal Service.
• The refund request must be received online within 60 days of printing.
• The physical label must be received within 90 days of printing.
• The postage must be printed on a genuine DYMO Stamps roll label or DYMO Printable Postage sheet label. (Exception: We will also accept accidental postage printed on blank paper or general DYMO labels.)
• Your account status must be Active.

A: Yes. When you print DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheet labels, your printed postage stamps can be used with regular postage stamps, or individually as regular postage. However, the software will automatically calculate the exact current postage you will need to mail a mailpiece. As a result, you will automatically print the necessary amount onto the postage stamp labels. Postage amounts are determined by the type of mailpiece chosen, the shape, and the weight.

If you would like to input your own amount of postage onto the postage stamp labels, you must upgrade to one of DYMO Endicia's monthly service plans. The upgrade will allow you to create your own postage amounts to print and allow you to print all mail classes available at the retail counter of the Post Office. Compare the service plans.

A: Yes. Certain pieces may require customs forms and therefore, are not directly supported.

However, items that weigh less than 16 ounces and do not have potentially dutiable contents do not require customs forms.

For information about customs forms, see:

https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

For information about APO/FPO forms, see:

http://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/sender_recipient_APO_FPO.jsp

A: Yes. Be sure you complete appropriate customs forms.

For information about customs forms, see:

https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

For information about APO/FPO forms, see:

http://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/sender_recipient_APO_FPO.jsp

A: Yes. However, items that weigh less than 16 ounces and do not have potentially dutiable contents do not require customs forms.

For information about customs forms, see: 

https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/

For information about APO/FPO forms, see:

http://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/sender_recipient_APO_FPO.jsp

A: If you are a current, active InstaPostage customer, you can use your old InstaPostage sheets with the new software only if you have a paid DYMO Endicia service plan account . After you have printed all of your InstaPostage sheets, any new orders or reorders for sheets will be in the new format. Learn about some of the service plan benefits.

A: No. Only DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets have been approved by the USPS. The 24 postage stamp labels on each sheet are coated with special USPS ink that allows the postage item to pass through the USPS mailstream. Using third-party postage stamp labels may result in undelivered or returned mail, and possible legal ramifications.

A: Yes, the special DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets by Endicia are uniquely and specifically approved by the USPS.

The 24 postage stamp labels on each printable sheet are coated with special USPS ink that allows the postage item to pass through the USPS mailstream (read by postal scanners). Using other postage stamp labels or even plain paper may result in undelivered or returned mail, and possible legal ramifications.

A: You can buy more of the DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets or DYMO Stamps Postage Label rolls from:

• The software, by clicking the Buy Postage icon.
• Any retailer that carries the DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets or DYMO Stamps Postage Label rolls.
• Your Endicia.com account by logging in to your account and ordering from the Web store.

A: Upgrade to a paid DYMO Endicia service plan.

A: Flat-rate envelopes and boxes are free through the USPS. For convenient links to the USPS order pages, select a link from the Supplies > USPS Shipping Supplies menu in the Printable Postage software.

A: DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets require either a page-oriented laser printer or page-oriented ink-jet printer.

DYMO Stamps Postage Label rolls require a DYMO LabelWriter printer. If you have a DYMO LabelWriter 400 Turbo, 450 Turbo, Twin Turbo, or Duo printer, you may change your application interface and print postage from your LabelWriter as well. For more information on using the DYMO LabelWriter Twin Turbo printer, see the FAQ about using DYMO LabelWriter Twin Turbo printer.

If you have a paid DYMO Endicia service plan account, you can use any DYMO LabelWriter printer for printing postage on special postage stamp rolls, known as DYMO Stamps Postage Labels.

A: The DYMO LabelWriter Twin Turbo printer has two label rolls: the left roll and the right roll. The first time you load postage stamp labels in the Twin Turbo printer, you need to specify in the software which roll contains the postage stamp labels. After the first time you print to the roll, the software remembers which roll contains the postage stamp labels. You must select the roll in the software if you change the side where you have loaded the postage stamp roll.

The following steps assume that you have loaded the roll in the printer and that the printer is connected and ready to print.

Steps

1. Click the Rolls icon.
2. From the Printer list, select DYMO LabelWriter Twin Turbo.
3. From the Label Roll list, select either Right Roll or Left Roll.
4. Perform a test print to verify the printer setup is correct by clicking the Test Print button.

A: The recommended usage for DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets is:

• Use the entire sheet at one time to print postage. You can mix different denominations of postage amounts on one sheet (for example, one row can be $0.44, and another can be $4.80, etc.)
• Use the manual feed tray of your laser or inkjet printer.
• Print all 24 postage stamp labels or one full postage stamp sheet—not partially used or torn sheets.
• Store DYMO Printable Postage Stamp Sheets in a cool, dry place so as not to damage the postage stamp labels and coated ink in any way.
• Follow the feed arrows and feed the paper into your printer correctly so as not to jeopardize your postage printing.
• Important! Perform a test print with the test sheets provided.
• For step-by-step instructions, see Print Postage onto Stamp Sheets.

A: A make-up postage stamp is usually a 1 or 2 cent postage stamp that you may need when postage prices increase.

• Note: This feature is available only if you have a paid DYMO Endicia Service Plan account and are not using the no-fee version of DYMO Printable Postage.

To print a make-up postage stamp:

For Rolls:

1. Click the Rolls icon to ensure that you are in Rolls mode.
2. Select the type of mailpiece.
3. Select the postage value: Make Your Own.

4. In the Custom Postage Amount dialog box, select the Mail Class and enter the amount of each make-up stamp.

   For example, enter .02 for a 2-cent stamp; enter .20 for a 20-cent stamp.

5. Click OK.
6. Select the number of DYMO Endicia postage stamps to print.
7. Review the postage total to print.
8. Click the Print button.

For Stamp Sheets:

1. Click the Sheets icon to ensure that you are in Sheets mode.
2. On the sheet display, select one or more "make-up" stamps that you want to print.
3. Select the type of mailpiece.
4. Select the postage value: Make Your Own.

5. In the Custom Postage Amount dialog box, select the Mail Class and enter the amount of each make-up stamp.

   For example, enter .02 for a 2-cent stamp; enter .20 for a 20-cent stamp.

6. Click OK.
7. Review the postage total to print.
8. Click the Print button.

A: No. If this does happen, try and cut a test sheet into the exact size as your torn sheet. Attempt to configure the printable area and see if the necessary elements (text and barcode) print on the postage stamp labels of the torn sheet. However, this is not a guarantee and we cannot provide refunds for incorrect postage printing, so please be cautious. DYMO Endicia encourages you to wait until all the postage stamp labels on a sheet (24) are printed upon BEFORE you tear along the perforation lines.

A: Printing less than a full sheet is not recommended. Postage stamp sheets that pass through a laser or inkjet printer more than one time are susceptible to tearing and could cause printer jams.

A: You can print Express Mail International labels by upgrading to one of the paid DYMO Endicia service plans. The USPS requires special forms for some classes, such as Express Mail. Also, international mail may require a customs form.

A: You can print full shipping labels by upgrading to one of the paid DYMO Endicia service plans.

A: Verification of Activation Codes helps to ensure that you are using USPS-authorized supplies.

A: The Activation Code is located on the actual (colored) sheet, next to the words "Activation Code".

A: Yes, you can share your sheets, but Activation Codes may only be used one time, so ensure that you have not already used that code before sharing your sheets.