2026 U.S. Flag Forever Stamps
About This Stamp
During the nation’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of honoring the flag of the United States. This new stamp is available in booklets of 20, panes of 20, and coils of 100, 3,000, and 10,000.
This stamp’s photograph shows a knit American flag, a detail from a sweater introduced by Polo Ralph Lauren in 1989. Beneath the flag are America’s anniversary dates, 1776 and 2026, in red, with a golden, five-pointed star centered between them. “USA FOREVER” is centered at the bottom in blue. A larger stamp with the knit flag design also appears this year on the American Icons stamp pane.
“The flag sweater has been iconic for decades,” says Greg Breeding, a USPS art director, “but only as I worked on this stamp did I realize the extent of Ralph Lauren’s connection to the flag.” The Star-Spangled Banner’s conservation, from 1998 to 2006, “was intricate, expensive work,” Breeding says, “and Ralph Lauren contributed generously to make it happen.”
The knit flag on the stamp represents an earlier version of the flag than the anthem-inspiring banner. Consistent with specifications laid out in the flag resolution of 1777, it has 13 alternating red and white stripes—to represent the original colonies—and 13 stars, “white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Although the first flag resolution did not specify a particular star pattern, five staggered rows alternating three and two stars each was a popular arrangement during the nation’s infancy.
The knit flag on this stamp also appears this year on the American Icons commemorative pane of stamps as the pane’s centerpiece.
The U.S. Flag stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.
Honor the Stars and Stripes with the U.S. Flag Forever® stamps. The stamps feature 1 unique design and are available in panes and
booklets of 20 and coils of 100, 3,000, and 10,000.
Product Details:
The U.S. Flag Forever stamps feature a knit interpretation of a 13-star version of Old Glory, pulled from the iconic sweater introduced
by Polo Ralph Lauren in 1989.
Key Features:
Forever Stamps: Always valid for the rate of sending one ounce of mail, regardless of future rate increases.
Available in Multiple Formats: Provides enough stamps for multiple mailings or high-volume mailing needs.
Self-Adhesive: Easy to use, simply peel and stick.
Made in the USA: High-quality, detailed stamp artwork made and printed domestically.
Stamp Issuance:
June 9, 2026
New York, NY 10199
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail
The U.S. Flag stamp joins a long line of Postal Service designs honoring the Stars and Stripes, a tradition that resonates with collectors and the public alike. Available for purchase nationwide, the stamp serves both practical and symbolic purposes, carrying mail while celebrating American identity. The Postal Service is promoting the stamp on social media with the hashtag #USFlagStamps, encouraging public engagement.
The Vickers Theater, a historic venue in Three Oaks, provided a fitting backdrop for the dedication, drawing local residents and postal officials to mark the occasion. The event highlighted the community’s pride in hosting the unveiling of a stamp with national significance. As the latest addition to the USPS’s Forever stamp series, the U.S. Flag stamp is expected to be a popular choice for mailers and collectors, reflecting the enduring appeal of the American flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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