Hallmark Cards and the U.S. Postal Service Team Up

Ed O'Keefe in his Washington Post 'Federal Eye-Keeping Tabs on the Government' column writes, "In its ongoing efforts to generate new business, the U.S. Postal Service is teaming up with Hallmark Cards to sell greeting cards that already include postage."

According to Ed, "Hallmark plans to sell packs of more than 200 varieties of the cards at its Gold Crown stores, as well as Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and other retailers. Prices will range from $2.99 to $3.99 and include the price of postage, according to the company."

He goes on to say, "Each card envelope includes a USPS barcode printed on the front...Similar to the new Forever Stamps, the barcode's value will always equal the current first-class postage rates."

According to an entry on Wikipedia, Hallmark's creative staff consists of around 800 artists, designers, stylists, writers, editors and photographers. Together they generate more than 19,000 new and redesigned greeting cards and related products per year. The company was founded in 1910 and is the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the United States.

To read his entire column, click here.