Hand-Canceling Wedding Invites: Does The Post Office Offer This?

Wedding invitations are a special type of mail that often require extra care and attention. The post office offers a service called hand-canceling, which involves marking or canceling each stamp by hand rather than by machine. This prevents envelopes from being torn or damaged by the machine and ensures that your invitations arrive in pristine condition. While some consider hand-canceling a relic of the past, it can still be a valuable service for couples who have invested time and money into creating elegant and unique wedding invitations. In this discussion, we will explore the pros and cons of hand-canceling wedding invitations and provide tips for navigating the process with your local post office.

What is hand-cancelling?

Hand-cancelling is a process where a postal worker uses a hand stamp to mark or "cancel" each stamp on an envelope, instead of using a machine. This is done to prevent envelopes from being torn by the post office's machine, which can happen if the envelope is uneven or bulky. It also helps to ensure that the envelopes are not damaged, smudged, or bent during processing.

To hand-cancel your envelopes, you must take them to a post office and request the service. Not all post offices offer hand-cancelling, so it is recommended to call ahead to find out which locations provide this service. There may also be an additional fee for hand-cancelling. It is advised to request this service at least two weeks before you plan to mail your envelopes to allow enough time for processing.

It is worth noting that even if your envelopes are hand-cancelled, they may still go through a machine for sorting and distribution. However, hand-cancelling can help ensure that your envelopes are processed separately from machined mail, reducing the risk of damage.

Why hand-cancel wedding invitations?

Wedding invitations are a special type of mail that often feature unique designs, embellishments, and expensive materials. They are also the first impression your guests will have of your big day. So, it's understandable that you'd want to make sure they arrive in pristine condition.

Hand-cancelling is a service offered by some post offices where a postal worker manually marks each stamp on your envelopes instead of them being processed through a machine. This helps to ensure that your envelopes don't get damaged, smudged, or bent during sorting and distribution. It's especially useful if your envelopes are bulky, oddly-shaped, or feature embellishments like wax seals, ribbon, twine, or bows, as these are likely to get caught in the machine and arrive in a battered condition.

To hand-cancel your wedding invitations, it's recommended that you first assemble a mock-up, complete with all inserts and accoutrements, and take it to your local post office to be weighed and checked. They will be able to tell you if your envelope is too bulky to be cancelled by machine and how much postage you'll need. You should also ask about their policy on hand-cancelling, as some post offices charge extra for this service. It's also a good idea to go at a quiet time, as hand-cancelling can be time-consuming.

While some people believe that hand-cancelling is unnecessary, as all mail still goes through a machine for sorting and distribution, others feel it's worth it to ensure their invitations are handled delicately. Ultimately, it's a personal decision that depends on the design of your invitations and how important it is to you that they arrive in perfect condition.

Preparing to hand-cancel wedding invitations

Hand-cancelling is a process where a postal worker stamps your envelope by hand instead of running it through a machine. It's important for wedding invitations because it helps ensure that the envelopes don't get damaged or smudged during processing. It also prevents envelopes from being bent, which can ruin the overall appearance of the invitation.

• Check with your postmaster: Before applying any stamps, assemble a mock-up of your invitation, complete with all the inserts and accoutrements. Bring it to the post office to be weighed and checked by a postmaster or another USPS employee. They will be able to advise if your envelope is too bulky to be cancelled by machine and tell you how much postage you'll need based on weight.
• Purchase the correct postage: Knowing the weight of your invitation and whether it requires hand-cancelling will allow you to purchase the correct combination of stamps or a single custom stamp to meet the required postage. Remember that hand-cancelling usually requires an extra cost, so this amount should be included in the postage.
• Contact your post office: Call ahead or visit your post office to confirm if they offer hand-cancelling services. Not all locations provide this service, and it's best to inquire in advance to avoid disappointment.
• Prepare your invitations: Ensure your invitations are properly assembled and securely sealed before bringing them to the post office. Double-check all the details, including addresses, and proofread for any errors.
• Time your visit: It's best to visit the post office during non-busy hours, such as mid-morning or lunchtime, to avoid crowds and long waits. Ask your postal worker about the calmest times at their branch to plan your visit accordingly.
• Consider printing "Hand Cancel": Printing "Hand Cancel" in the upper left corner of your envelopes (opposite the stamps) can serve as a helpful reminder for postal workers to process your invitations manually.

Who hand-cancels wedding invitations?

Wedding invitations are precious, and couples want them to be in pristine condition when they reach their guests. Hand-cancelling is a way to ensure that the envelopes are not damaged or smudged during processing.

Hand-cancelling is when a postal worker uses a hand stamp to mark each stamp on an envelope, instead of it being done by a machine. Most mail is sorted through a machine, but hand-cancelling is an option if you want to ensure your wedding envelopes are handled delicately.

The post office should be able to hand-cancel for you, but they may be understaffed and prefer to pass the responsibility to the sender. In this case, you can do the stamping yourself, and the postal worker will do a visual check before putting them in the outgoing mail. Some post offices charge extra for hand-cancelling services, and others offer it for free. It's worth calling ahead to check if your local post office offers this service and whether there is a charge.

Some post offices will allow you to hand-cancel the envelopes yourself. You'll have to stamp all the envelopes in the post office, but you'll be able to ensure that everything is handled carefully.

When to go to the post office to hand-cancel wedding invitations?

When you've spent a lot of time and money on wedding invitations, the last thing you want is for them to be damaged in the post. That's where hand-cancelling comes in. Hand-cancelling is when a postal worker uses a hand stamp to mark each stamp on your envelope, instead of this being done by a machine. This prevents stuffed envelopes from being torn by the post office's machine and ensures your invitations arrive in pristine condition.

It's best to visit the post office when the crowd is small, as hand-cancelling takes up quite a lot of time. Mid-morning is usually a quieter time of day, but it may be worth asking your postal worker what time of day is calmest at their particular branch. If you can, avoid the lunchtime rush.

Before you go, assemble a mock-up of your invitation (complete with all the inserts and accoutrements) and bring it to the post office to be weighed and checked by the postmaster or another USPS employee. They will be able to check if your envelope is too bulky to be cancelled by machine, as well as tell you how much postage you'll need based on the weight of your invitations.

You can then purchase the correct postage. Remember that hand-cancelling requires an extra cost, so if your envelopes need to be cancelled by hand, that amount needs to be included in the postage.

Some post offices will allow you to hand-cancel envelopes yourself. You'll have to stamp all the envelopes in the post office, but you'll be able to see that everything is handled carefully. If you'd prefer a postal worker to do it for you, try to head to the post office at an off-peak time so you can talk with them about what you need.

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