From Lick-and-Stick to Self-Adhesive: How Stamps Have Changed

For well over a century, mailing a letter meant licking a stamp before pressing it onto an envelope. Today, that step has almost entirely disappeared. Modern stamps peel and stick without any moisture at all. Here is a look at how that shift happened and why self-adhesive stamps became the standard.

The Traditional Lick-and-Stick Design

For most of postage stamp history, stamps used a water activated adhesive known as gum.

A few facts about this traditional design:

• Water activated gum adhesive dates back to the very first postage stamps in the 1840s
• The gum required moisture, typically from licking or a damp sponge, to activate the sticky surface
• Gum was applied during production using a brush, roller, or later a dedicated gumming machine
• Humidity and temperature could cause gummed stamps to curl or stick together during storage

This design remained the standard for well over a century before any serious alternative gained traction.

The First Attempt at Self-Adhesive Stamps

The earliest self-adhesive postage stamp in the United States appeared in 1974, well before the format became common.

Details about this early attempt include:

• The stamp used a pressure sensitive adhesive that did not require moisture to activate
• The adhesive on this early version discolored over time, creating problems for both everyday use and long term storage
• Collectors and postal officials both encountered issues with how the adhesive aged
• The experiment showed early promise but also revealed the need for better adhesive technology

Because of these early issues, the format did not immediately replace traditional gummed stamps.

The Return of Self-Adhesive Stamps in 1989

After addressing the problems from the 1974 attempt, a new self-adhesive stamp was introduced in 1989 with noticeably improved adhesive technology.

Improvements made for this version included:

• An adhesive designed not to discolor or stain over time
• A formula that remained soluble in water, addressing concerns from the earlier version
• More reliable performance for both everyday mailing and long term stamp storage
• A stronger foundation for expanding self-adhesive stamps to more designs going forward

This improved version set the stage for self-adhesive stamps to become a serious, lasting alternative to traditional gummed stamps.

How Self-Adhesive Stamps Became the Standard

Once the adhesive technology improved, self-adhesive stamps expanded quickly across new stamp designs.

A few reasons the format spread so widely include:

• Buyers found peeling and sticking far more convenient than moistening a gummed stamp
• Self-adhesive stamps held up better during storage, since they were less prone to sticking together from humidity
• Design flexibility improved once die cutting technology advanced enough to mimic traditional perforated edges
• By the early 2000s, nearly all newly issued stamps had shifted to the self-adhesive format

This steady shift meant that within a couple of decades, self-adhesive stamps went from an experimental format to the clear industry standard.

From Straight Edges to Simulated Perforations

Early self-adhesive stamps looked noticeably different from traditional gummed stamps, which created a brief period of visual distinction between the two formats.

Key design changes over time included:

• Early self-adhesive stamps featured clean, straight die cut edges instead of traditional perforations
• Later designs introduced wavy, serpentine die cuts that closely resemble classic perforated edges
• This visual update helped self-adhesive stamps feel more familiar and traditional to everyday users
• Today, most people cannot easily tell the difference between a self-adhesive stamp and a traditional gummed stamp just by looking at the edges

This small design detail played a meaningful role in helping the format gain broader acceptance.

Why Self-Adhesive Stamps Are Better Suited for Everyday Use

Beyond convenience, self-adhesive stamps solved several practical problems that gummed stamps struggled with.

Practical benefits of the self-adhesive format include:

• No need for moisture, which makes applying a stamp faster and more sanitary
• Reduced risk of stamps sticking together in humid storage conditions
• More consistent adhesive performance across different climates and seasons
• Easier bulk handling for coils and rolls used by frequent mailers

These benefits are part of why nearly every modern Forever Stamp uses this format today.

A Small Change With a Big Impact

What seems like a minor detail, how a stamp sticks to an envelope, actually reflects decades of small improvements in materials and manufacturing. From the earliest water activated gum to today's reliable self-adhesive coils, the format has quietly become more convenient with each generation.

You can view current in-stock Forever Stamp coils here.

FAQs

When did self-adhesive stamps first appear in the United States?

The first attempt came in 1974, though early adhesive problems meant the format did not fully take hold until an improved version was introduced in 1989.

Are lick-and-stick stamps still available today?

Traditional gummed stamps have become rare, since nearly all modern stamps, including current Forever Stamps, use the self-adhesive format instead.

Why did early self-adhesive stamps have problems?

The first 1974 adhesive formula discolored over time, which created issues for both everyday mailing and long term stamp storage.

How can I tell a self-adhesive stamp from a traditional gummed stamp?

Modern self-adhesive stamps use wavy, simulated perforations that closely resemble traditional edges, making the two formats difficult to distinguish visually today.

Do self-adhesive stamps stick better than gummed stamps in humid conditions?

Generally, yes. Self-adhesive stamps tend to hold up better in humidity, while traditional gummed stamps are more prone to sticking together in storage.