Frequently Asked Questions |
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How do I return or exchange postage? |
| Click on the View Your Postage link in the Printer Status Area. Click the Exchange Postage link in the page that comes up and follow the simple steps. |
Is there a limit to how much postage I can exhange in a single transaction? |
| Yes. A total of 30 postage units can be returned in each "exchange". If you need to return more, you will need to do multiple transactions. |
Can I use Stamp Expressions™ postage just as I would a real stamp? |
| Yes, the postage you print with your Stamp Expressions™ Printer is valid USPS® postage and may be placed on any letter or package just like a traditional USPS® stamp. |
What's that funny barcode to the right of my picture? |
| This "two-dimensional" barcode is automatically generated by the Stamp Expressions™ Printer and contains digital data specific to your printer, and the stamp. It is used by the United States Postal Service to verify the authenticity of the postage. |
Where is my postage stored? |
| All postage you purchase must be downloaded directly to the Stamp Expressions™ Printer. The postage resides in the printer, never on your computer. |
Where are my images stored? |
| Unlike postage, images are stored on your computer's hard drive. At any time, two of the images on the hard drive may be transferred to the Stamp Expressions™ Printer to allow you to print postage with images away from your computer. |
How do I Login? |
| To Login, enter the email address you used during the order process along with the password that was provided in the Initial Order Confirmation email. Once you have logged in for the first time you can change your password to something that is easy to remember. |
What happens if I lose my Stamp Expressions™ Printer? |
| Just as with USPS® postage stamps, if you lose your printer you will lose the postage. It is not possible to determine how much postage remained in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer at the time it was lost. |
What if I don't know the cost of mailing a particular package? |
| Clicking on the Get Tools and Tips icon will provide access to the Pitney Bowes Postal Calculator. Just follow the easy instructions on the calculator page to determine the cost of mailing.You can also purchase an optional stand-alone 5 lb. scale that will allow you to weigh the package and calculate the postage accordingly. The scale may be purchased by clicking on the Buy Stamps & Supplies icon. |
What connections are needed in order to use my printer? |
| The printer is not battery operated and must always be connected to a standard outlet using the power adapter. The printer must also be connected to the PC for tasks such as purchasing postage and submitting custom graphics for approval. The printer is connected to the PC using a standard universal serial bus (USB) cable, also supplied with the Stamp Expressions™ Printer. |
What if my Installation CD is broken or I don't have one? Where do I get the software? |
| All the software required is included on the CD-ROM that's part of your Stamp Expressions kit. If you bought the Stamp Expressions™ Printer from a third party without the CD, or have lost or damaged your CD, the latest version of software is always available at the Stamp Expressions web site, www.pbstampexpressions.com. Once at the web site, click the Stamp Expressions™ Printer SUPPORT button, and then select Software Download. |
How do I set-up my Stamp Expressions™ Printer? |
Simply follow the steps provided on the Printer Set-Up Instructions that are in the box with the printer. This is, by far, the quickest and most convenient way to get your Stamp Expressions printer up and running.
If you have lost or misplaced you Printer Set-Up Instructions you can find them on the web at www.pbstampexpressions.com. Go to SUPPORT then click on the USER GUIDES tab and you can access the Printer Set-Up Instructions as well as view an Installation Demo. |
How do I install the software? |
| The software install process is quick and easy. Just follow the steps provided on the Printer Set-Up Instructions. Place the CD in your computer's CD drive and the installation will start automatically. If your system is configured so that a CD will not auto start, just use Windows Explorer to navigate to the CD folder and double click on the setup.exe file. |
Where do I get software upgrades? |
| The latest software will always be available at the Stamp Expressions™ web site, www.pbstampexpressions.com. Click on the Stamp Expressions™ Printer PRODUCT SUPPORT button, and then select Software Download. Additionally, you can check for upgrades by selecting the Help menu on your PC application and selecting, "Check for Updates." |
What happens when USPS postage rates increase? |
If you have already printed your postage, you must use it as is. We suggest you purchase and print postage to cover the cost of the increase, then add it to the envelope or package.
If you have not yet printed the postage, you can exchange it for postage with the new denomination (you pay the difference only). Simply click the Get Tools and Tips
button, and then click the "Exchange Your Postage" link on the right side of the Tools and Tips page. The information there will guide you through exchanging your postage. |
How do I buy postage, library images, or other supplies like additional labels? |
Just click on the Buy Stamps and Supplies icon to start your shopping experience.Your PC must be connected to the Internet to shop. In addition, your Stamp Expressions™ Printer must be connected to your computer if you intend to purchase postage. Stamp Art and Supplies, however, may be purchased without the Stamp Expressions™ Printer being connected.
The Buy Stamps and Supplies page will have three tabs at the top; one for Postage, one for Stamp Art, and one for Supplies. Select the tab you want and then select the items you need. |
Can I buy any postage denomination I want? |
| Yes, up to a maximum of $99.99. If the denomination you wish to buy is not on the dropdown list on the Postage page, simply select "Other" and type in the denomination, and quantity of that denomination you wish to purchase. |
How often can I exchange unprinted postage? |
| You may exchange postage as often as you wish. However, see the question below regarding the time limitation. |
Is there a time limit on when I can exchange unprinted postage? |
| Yes. The United States Postal Service limits exchanges to within 90 days of purchase. |
Why does my Stamp Expressions™ printer have to be connected to my computer to buy postage? |
| To purchase postage you must be connected to the internet. Once purchased you must download the postage to your printer for secure storage. |
How do I design my own postage? |
| Just click on the Design Stamps icon.Once you are on the Design Stamps page, you will be able to import any graphic file stored on your PC and then edit it using the easy to use tools provided such as zoom and rotate image. Try it, it's fun! |
How can I edit my image? |
| You can use the tools provided on the Design Stamps page to edit your image prior to submission to Pitney Bowes. Once your image has been approved by Pitney Bowes and returned to your computer, it is locked and cannot be edited further. |
What file types and sizes can I use to design and create my own images? |
| Your StampExpressions™ software can accept images from common graphic files such as bmp, gif, jpg, and tiff. Any size file is acceptable to open in the Design Stamps screen, but the graphic will be converted to a 200 X 225 pixel JPEG before it's uploaded. |
How many images can I store in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer? |
| Only two images (your own or library) may be stored in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer at any one time. However, an unlimited number of images may reside on your PC as a part of your library, and you can swap them in and out as often as you would like by following the "Assign Printer Buttons" process. |
Can I print just an image without postage? |
| Yes you can! The Stamp Expressions™ Printer makes an excellent "Sticker Printer" for the kids! On the Print Stamps page, select the picture you want, but don't select any postage.The Print Preview panel will display your image and the postage side of the label will say, "no postage selected." When printing images only, you can only print 1 image at a time by clicking on the PRINT button with no quantity selected. |
Why must my images be approved? What are the guidelines? |
| The United States Postal Service places very specific regulations on what types of images or messages may be placed on the mail. These Terms and Conditions are always available for review by going to the Help menu in your PC application. In general, images and messages that are obscene, offensive, blasphemous, pornographic, sexually suggestive, deceptive, profane, threatening, menacing, abusive, harmful, an invasion of privacy, supportive of unlawful action, patently offensive, defamatory, libelous, vulgar, violent, discriminatory (based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, or physical ability), negatively pertaining to any particular individual or otherwise objectionable, or that advocates any of the aforementioned must be disapproved. |
How long does it take to approve a postage? |
| Pitney Bowes promises to approve all images submitted in 1 business day. |
Can I make changes to my images once they have been approved? |
| No. Once the art is approved by Pitney Bowes it is "digitally signed" so that it may not be altered. |
How can I view my entire collection of images I have purchased? |
| All of the images you have purchased, whether your own digital photos or images from the Stamp Expressions™ Library, reside on your hard drive. You may see the collection by clicking on the "View Your Stamp Art" link in the Printer Status area of the PC application or by selecting PRINT STAMPS from the main menu. |
How much postage can I store in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer? |
| You can store up to 500 individual digital indicia in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer, up to $200.00 in value depending on the denominations. The postage is stored as digital indicia of specific denominations not as a fund to be drawn from. |
How do I print a postage using the Stamp Expressions™ software? |
| Click on the large Print Stamps icon at the top of the screen. From the Print Stamps screen simply follow the 1-2-3 steps of selecting an image (optional), selecting a denomination, and selecting a quantity. You can see a preview of your postage label in the Preview and Print box. After checking the preview, select a quantity to print, make sure your Stamp Expressions™ Printer is connected to your computer and click the green PRINT button. You can also print postage when not connected to your computer (See the next item). |
Does the Stamp Expressions™ Printer have to be attached to my computer to print? |
| No, you may print postage as long as the Stamp Expressions™ Printer is plugged into an outlet and has power. If you are not connected to the PC, you will want to refer to the button map label on the top of your printer. Select one of the three buttons on the top of the printer to select the denomination. Your selection will be indicated by a light on the button you pushed. You may optionally select images by pressing one of the two small buttons on the bottom of the printer. The selected button will be indicated with a green light. If you do not want a graphic, press the selected bottom button to turn it off. When you are ready to print, press the large round Print button.If you want to print a postage with a image or denomination that is not currently in your Stamp Expressions™ Printer, you will need to change the printer button assignments (see next question |
How do I assign denominations and images to the buttons on my Stamp Expressions™ Printer? |
| Click on the Assign Printer Buttons link in the Printer Status Area. On the next screen you will see your postage denominations on the left-hand side, your images on the right-hand side, and a large graphic of the printer in the center of the screen (see below). Click on the button on the printer you wish to assign, and then click on the denomination or images you wish to assign to that button. |
How do I make a reminder label to slide under the plastic window on top of my printer? |
| When you are done making your button assignments, click on the green SAVE button (see Figure above). Once the button configuration is saved you will be asked if you want to print a label. Say YES, and place your new button map under the protective plastic holder on top of the printer. |
What do all the different lights on my printer mean? |
| Postage Denomination Buttons (3 buttons above the Stamp Expressions™ Printer display) |
| Green | You have more than 10 units of this postage denomination in your printer. |
| Amber | You have 10 units or less of the specified postage denomination in the printer. |
| Red | You are out of this postage denomination. |
| No Light | Postage denomination is inactive or not selected. Stamp Expressions™ Printer may be off. |
| Stamp Art Buttons (2 buttons below the printer display) |
| Green | This image is selected and will be printed to the left of the selected postage denomination. |
| No Light | Image is not selected. Stamp Expressions™ Printer may be off. |
| Print Button |
| Green | Power is on. You are ready to print. |
| Green and flashing | Power is on and postage is being printed. |
| Amber | The number of labels remaining on the roll in the printer is running low. (There are markings on the back of the label roll that are detected by the printer when you start to run low on labels.) |
| Red | The printer is locked. |
| Flashing Red while idle | This is an internal printer error, or the printer has run out of labels. |
| Flashing Red on Power Up | This is an internal printer error. Contact Customer Service. |
| Flashing Red while printing | There is a jam in the printer, or the printer has run out of labels. |
| No Light | Stamp Expressions™ Printer is off. |
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How can I lock my printer when it is disconnected from my PC? |
| The Stamp Expressions™ Printer must be connected to the PC in order to lock or unlock it. To do this, start by selecting the File menu, then selecting Preferences. In the Preferences dialog box (see below) select the Printer icon and click on the Locked or Unlocked choice as desired. |
How do I know the quantities and denominations of postage stored in my Stamp Expressions™ printer? |
| The total postage in the Stamp Expressions™ Printer is always displayed in the white box (see below) in the Printer Status Area of the PC application. To see how that total postage is allocated among different denominations of stamps, click on the View Your Postage link in the Printer Status Area. There is no way to determine how much postage is in the printer without being connected to your computer. |
Why do some of my images appear to have a smudge on them, or occasionally look distorted? |
| The smudges or distortions may appear if the image is held as it is being printed. To avoid blemishes in the future, only touch the postage label after it has completely finished printing. |
How long does it take to receive an order after I have placed it? |
| Postage will generally be available for download immediately following the order confirmation. In rare cases, it may take a little while longer due to Internet traffic or other network communication disruptions. Images you submit for approval will be available for download within one (1) business day following submission. Supplies, such as label rolls and scales, will be shipped directly to your address and delivery time will depend upon the shipping method you choose at checkout. |
If I don't like the way my image prints, can I return it? |
| Images cannot be "returned", but if you feel the quality of your printed image does not meet your expectations you can call Customer Support to resolve the situation. |
What happens if my printer jams and misprints postage? |
| You can get credit for bad postage prints by sending the misprinted postage label, along with USPS Form 3533-PCP-X to: MSC BPT10
10 Middle Street, 16th Floor,
Bridgeport, CT 06604. You will receive a credit to your credit card in 2 to 4 weeks |
Will I be charged shipping and handling for Stamp Art and Postage? |
| Charges vary by subscription plan. To review the details of your subscription plan and the charges that apply, go to YOUR ACCOUNT, then click on Subscription Plan. |
How can I find out the status of my order? |
| Order status is always available by clicking on Your Account. Next click on the Order History link in the left hand column on the page.From here individual orders can be reviewed via the View Order link. |
