Did I send enough stamps?

[JMLS]

Hey guys So I'm really new to this hobby and I just wanted to lnow if I did my SASE envelopes right, because I only put one stamp on the envelope I'm really worried that it won't get returned because it has just one stamp? Anyone know if they will get returned? Thanks and if you want to leave some tips feel free, like I said I'm really new so I don't know much about this! Thanks

[Homer_S]

From where do you send? And whereto?

[eternity]

I wanted to know if on USA forever stamps, there is a "security" system as for UK stamps.
Because I wanted to know if I received not impressed stamps on my return envelope if I can use them again or not ?
Many thanks for your help.

[dunnellz]

OK, a few questions that hopefully I can answer.

First, as far as is one stamp enough for a SASE, the answer is "it depends." What size SASE? First Class Stamps are more than enough for regular business letter envelopes (the type you would send out for baseball cards, 4x6 photos, note cards, etc). Generally, a 6x8 SASE requires two first class stamps (this is the size SASE you would use for 5x7 photos, playbills, DVD covers, etc). Then a 9x11 SASE requires three first class stamps (this is the size SASE you would use for 8x10s, magazines, etc). That being said, there are stamps worth more/less than regular first class - 20 cent, 5 cent, 1 cent, $1, etc. So a single $1 stamp would be more than enough on a 6x8 SASE, and a $1 plus a 20 cent stamp would be fine for a 9x11 SASE, and so on.

As far as cancelled stamps go...

Technically, yes, you could re-use stamps as long as they have not been cancelled (marked through/stamped). However, you are technically defrauding the United States Postal Service and potentially part of the reason why they are looking to increase the price of regular first class stamps. To prevent this, the post office will reject letters with stamps that look to have been re-placed, taped on, etc. Just be smart about it.

I hope that helped.

[eternity]

Thanks for jour answer.