December 18, 2025

Types of postage stamps

Did you know that before stamps were introduced, only wealthy people could use postal services?

Sending a letter sometimes cost as much as a worker's daily wage. Rates depended on distance, number of sheets, and even the season. And since recipients paid for postal items, they often refused to accept letters because of the high cost.

In an effort to make rates more affordable and guarantee payment for services, Sir Rowland Hill proposed reforming the postal system and introducing prepaid postage, which would be confirmed by a special sticker. Thus, on May 1, 1840, a one-penny postage stamp appeared in England. The stamp with the profile of Queen Victoria entered the history of philately under the name “Penny Black” because it was printed in black ink.

Postage stamps immediately attracted the interest of collectors, and by 1860, thousands of philatelists were “hunting” for them. But did they realize that their new passion would become a hugely popular hobby, and that some items in their collections would be worth millions?

Today, the “Black Penny” from the first print runs is a real treasure, and the variety of subjects, formats, and types of postage stamps is simply amazing. Post offices around the world issue thematic series, limited editions, and even digital stamps. Famous artists, designers, and illustrators are involved in their creation. Some stamps quickly become objects of interest to collectors and increase in value.

Today we will tell you how to understand the different types of postage stamps. Understanding the intricacies of philately opens up a whole new level of perception — both for collectors and for people who simply appreciate history or aesthetics. It's about being able to see the details hidden in colors, fonts, images, or symbols that are only a centimeter in size. This knowledge will determine whether you can determine the value, rarity, condition, and origin of the stamps in your albums, and whether you can correctly organize your collection by category.

Classification of postage stamps by purpose

With the development of the postal system, new services and types of postal services appeared, and new types of correspondence were added, so it was necessary to mark them with different stamps. To organize the issue and use of postage stamps, they began to be systematized by category and type — a kind of navigation system in philately.

Standard postage stamps

Standard postage stamps for everyday use to pay for shipments are the basis of the postal system. They are printed in large quantities to ensure the continuous operation of the post office, so they are always available for sale. Postal series can be reprinted and remain in circulation for years. For the most part, standard postage stamps are small in size and have a concise design featuring state symbols, architectural monuments, portraits of prominent figures, or national ornaments.

Every five years, Ukrposhta releases a new series of standard postage stamps, such as the series “Coats of Arms of Cities, Towns, and Villages of Ukraine” and the colorful series “Ukrainian Folk Pysanka,” which presents the diversity of the national tradition of pysanka.

Standard postage stamps have a low face value, sufficient to pay for postage, and a simple design, making them easy to recognize. Start your introduction to philately with Ukrposhta's standard stamps.

Art stamps

Art stamps are a completely different story. This type of postage stamp is also called commemorative. These are true miniature works of art, issued in limited editions for important events and holidays, anniversaries, memorable dates, or in honor of prominent personalities. Commemorative stamps may also depict architectural monuments, tourist attractions, museum exhibits, flora, and fauna. Each artistic postal issue has a unique design created by professional artists.

For philatelists, this is a special category due to its aesthetic, historical, and collectible value. These issues are sought after for collections along with first day covers.

Artistic postage stamps include the “Heroic Professions” series, dedicated to Ukraine's Independence Day. Each issue has a new design and theme, but the stamps always convey the spirit of national identity, dignity, and uniqueness.

Special stamps

Special postage stamps are used to distinguish between different types and categories of mail (airmail, official correspondence, etc.) more quickly and conveniently. They are an important tool in the service system, as they reflect the technical and administrative aspects of the postal service.

Some special stamps may perform a social and state function, but do not have postage value — control, permit, and mandatory collection stamps. Special postage stamps are also issued for charity, payment of taxes, excise duties, and additional payment of the difference in the cost of a shipment when tariffs change (or if the sender has affixed a stamp that is cheaper than required).

Ukrposhta regularly issues special postage stamps for charitable initiatives. Part of the proceeds from their sale goes to support social and humanitarian projects, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed by war.

Stamps under the “Personalized stamp” project

A special and interesting type of special stamps are personalized stamps. While the first postage stamps were only allowed to depict monarchs and statesmen, now anyone can order a personalized stamp with their own design and personal photo, company logo, sports club emblem, or even a photo of their favorite rabbit.

The idea of issuing personalized stamps appeared in 1999 among Australian postal workers, and everyone liked it so much that people were willing to stand in line for hours to get a miniature postage stamp with their own photo. Other countries quickly picked up on the personalized stamp initiative.

Ukrposhta issued its first personalized stamps in 2007. Since then, stamps that combine the official status of a postage stamp with uniqueness have become popular as a souvenir or gift format. Postal miniatures under the “Personalized stamp” project are ordered for anniversaries, memorable dates, and holidays, in honor of prominent Ukrainians, and to promote museum exhibits and national symbols.

Types of postage stamps by material and design

Postage stamps are classified not only by purpose, but also by format, material, design, method of production, and theme.

Postage stamps are classified by format as follows:

single or separate (the most common format);
block (two or more stamps with the same theme and different images, connected by perforation);
postal block (one or more stamps with a common theme, frame, or background image);
sheet (sheet with stamps with margins around the perimeter)

At Postmark, you will find classic single stamps, original blocks, and commemorative blocks that will enrich and decorate any collection.

By manufacturing method: traditional vs. original stamps

The most common material for making traditional postage stamps is, of course, paper of various grades. Most often, traditional stamps are printed using offset printing. Sometimes they may have watermarks, microtext, or special textures to protect against counterfeiting. Traditional postal issues are the basis of postal circulation. They are valued for their authenticity and consistency of form. Original stamps are designed to surprise, impress, stand out, and cause a sensation. From time to time, postal administrations around the world delight philatelists and connoisseurs of unusual stamps with interesting specimens made of wood, artificial leather, scented miniatures, and fragments of embroidery.

Stamps are engraved, embossed, metal inserts and foil are added, and they are coated with special varnishes — postal services use their imagination to show something innovative and unexpected. Original postage stamps are usually issued in limited editions and immediately attract the attention of collectors and the general public.

Ukrposhta also has original postage stamps in its collection: “City of Heroes. Mariupol” with a unique coating of steel particles manufactured at the Azovstal plant; “Glory to Ukraine!” in the shape of a map of Ukraine, printed on adhesive paper. It is worth noting that stamps on adhesive paper are a modern alternative to classic ones. They can be quickly and easily affixed to an envelope, making them convenient for mass use.

In 2020, Ukrposhta presented a unique series of postage stamps called “Garden Flowers,” printed on scented paper. By gently rubbing the unusual round-shaped stamps, you can smell the delicate scent of flowers: jasmine and lavender.

Digital technologies have also influenced philately. Augmented reality stamps, which can be scanned with a phone to see an animated image with voice accompaniment, are no longer a novelty. Another modern option for true geeks is holographic stamps, which shimmer, change shades, and sometimes create a volume effect.

But the effectiveness and unusualness of a postage stamp do not always equal its value. Sometimes even the most inconspicuous traditional stamp can, after some time, cost hundreds of times more than you paid for it.

Thematic stamps

Experienced philatelists collect postage stamps by subject, section, or theme. Some prefer stamps dedicated to historical events, some collect stamps with reproductions of paintings by famous artists, and some are interested in learning about flora and fauna through stamps and collect miniatures with animals, birds, insects, and plants.

The highest level of expertise is collecting stamps on specific narrow topics. For example, collecting not just historical stamps, but those issued in honor of significant historical events, symbols, monuments, or famous personalities.

Such collections allow you to create a true mosaic of history that comes to life in miniature images. Among the issues of Ukrposhta, you will find many stamps dedicated to outstanding Ukrainians: public figures, writers, painters, human rights activists, and scientists. It is worth recalling the postal block "To the 300th anniversary of the birth of Hryhorii Skovoroda. Garden of Divine Songs," created as a tribute to the great philosopher and thinker. In October 2025, the Freedom in the Equation postal issue was presented in honor of talented Ukrainian scientists who could have brought fame to Ukraine far beyond its borders, but whose lives were cut short by repression or war.

Want to see what these series look like? Go to the “Postage Stamps” section and discover the pages of Ukrainian history in postage stamps. Another popular theme among philatelists is flora and fauna.

And there is plenty to choose from, as Ukrposhta regularly issues these thematic series, each with its own artistic style and value.

Postage stamps dedicated to flora and fauna have won awards in prestigious international competitions and are real gems for collectors:

the “Insects of Ukraine” postage issue received the most awards in the history of philately in modern Ukraine;
the stamp “Eastern Nightingale” (2019) won first place in the competition “Best Postage Stamp of Europe — Collector's Choice 2019”;
the unique series “Red Book of Ukraine”;
the postal issue "Birds of Ukraine. Galliformes";
the series “Medicinal and Honey Plants”;
the issue within the EUROPA program “Underwater Fauna and Flora”.

Art is an exquisite and beautiful theme that is in high demand among collectors. Among the most notable postage stamps of Ukrposhta with reproductions of masterpieces by Ukrainian artists are: “M. Prymachenko Blue Bull,” "Suprematist Composition 1, 1916. Kazimir Malevich. 1878-1935,“ ”Mikhail Vrubel. Girl Against a Persian Carpet. 1886,“ and the postal series ”Love Is Life!“ Philatelists love such series not only for their beauty — sometimes they become the ”highlight" that makes a collection unique.

Ukrainian postage stamps: from the first stamps of the Ukrainian

People's Republic to modern miniatures from Ukrposhta The history of Ukrainian stamps spans more than 100 years. It began during the Ukrainian People's Republic — in 1918, the government issued the first postage series, which became a symbol of the revival of statehood. The postage stamps of the UNR period, based on sketches by Heorhii Narbut, Anton Sereda, and Mykola Ivasiuk, had simple but deeply symbolic graphics — the trident, Ukrainian ornaments, and state slogans. Initially printed on ordinary paper and later on cardboard, postage stamps were even used instead of small change.

Until the early 1950s, the government of the Ukrainian People's Republic, while in exile, issued postage stamps abroad. It was only in 1992 that independent Ukraine finally began printing its own postage stamps — as a sign of true statehood.

Contemporary issues of Ukrposhta

Ukrposhta actively continues the philatelic tradition and offers unique types of postage stamps, where each issue is a part of the history, art, and culture of Ukraine. They unite the past and the present, turning small stamps into great symbols of our national memory.

Among the most notable examples from 2022-2025 are the following postal series:

Choose and order these and other postage stamps right now — at Postmark, you will always find something special for your collection or just for your soul.

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