Butterfly Postage Stamps
A butterfly image does not automatically mean a stamp pays the nonmachinable surcharge. Identify the printed service wording and the exact issue before deciding how to use it.
What the Butterfly Category Means
Several U.S. butterfly stamps were issued for nonmachinable letters. Their category value is tied to the one-ounce letter price plus the current nonmachinable surcharge. At rates effective July 12, 2026, that combination is $1.31: $0.82 plus $0.49.
When a Letter May Be Nonmachinable
- It is square or unusually shaped.
- It is too rigid, has an uneven thickness, or contains certain clasps or closures.
- Its address is parallel to the shorter side.
- It fails another applicable automation characteristic.
Extra weight charges can still apply. A butterfly stamp is not a universal price for every unusual envelope.
Identify Before Buying
Record the formal issue name, year, printed wording, design, and package quantity. Butterflies also appear on ordinary Forever and collectible items, so the insect alone does not prove the postal category.
Once the finished envelope category and required postage are confirmed, compare the available postage stamp options for the mailing.
Sources and Scope
The butterfly image alone does not identify postage value; use the printed category and current price list.