Postage stamps
De La Rue has designed and printed postage stamps since the 19th Century. Our first stamp, the 4d carmine, was released in 1855, and we also printed the first Post Office commemorative envelope in 1890.
We have been supplying stamps to the Royal Mail since 1966, and today the issue of Christmas stamps is one of our most important contracts within the Royal Mail range. We pioneered self-adhesive stamps, and our expertise in the gravure printing process means that De La Rue is the world leader in the design and printing of definitive special stamps, collected by philatelists the world over.
De La Rue's designers are accomplished artists, and they work closely with Postal Authorities to ensure that stamps are protected from attempts at counterfeit and fraudulent alteration, as well as accurately representing a country's symbols and appealing to the collectors market.