Postmark uses a straightforward credit-based system rather than charging per email address stored.
Applied by automatic sorting machines. This is the most common type but is subject to delays under the 2026 rules.
Governments and legal systems increasingly rely on electronic postmarks for official filings. Tax agencies use them to verify that digital returns were submitted before midnight on deadline day. Legal courts use them to track the exact minute legal notices were served electronically to opposing counsel. Choosing Between Marketing and Transactional Tools
A is a postal cancellation mark applied to postage stamps or postal stationery, serving as both a cancellation to prevent reuse and a record of the location and date of posting. While historically viewed as a simple indicator of when a letter was dropped in the mail, postmarks have evolved into complex, often automated, legal tools. postmark
const Postmark = require("postmark");
If you need absolute proof of a mailing date, do not rely on a standard machine-applied postmark. Instead:
The exact date (and sometimes hour) the mail piece was processed. Choosing Between Marketing and Transactional Tools A is
In today's digital age, the role of postmarks might seem diminished. However, they still serve a critical function:
In 1661, the English Postmaster General, , introduced the first postmark, called the "Bishop Mark." It was a simple, small circle stamped on a letter showing only the day and month of mailing. This was not just about logistics; it was about accountability. Carriers could no longer claim a letter arrived late when the stamp proved it was mailed days earlier. As Bishop himself stated, it was to put upon every letter the day it arrives at the office, "so that no Letter Carrier may dare to detain a letter from post to post, which before was usual".
By the late 19th century, one could find a wide variety of "fancy cancels"—elaborate, often whimsical designs used by postmasters to cancel stamps. This creative period, which saw the use of devices shaped like stars, flags, and animals, largely disappeared after 1904. By the late 19th century
+-------------------+ | MAY 15 | <-- The "Bishop Mark" (1661) +-------------------+ | v +-------------------+ | LONDON MAR 12 | <-- Town-Specific Marks (1700s) +-------------------+ | v +-------------------+ | NEW YORK 1890 | <-- Machine-Canceled Hubs (1800s) +-------------------+
One unique aspect of Postmark is their approval process. They don’t let just anyone send mail. They manually review new accounts to ensure they aren't spammers. While this might seem like a hurdle, it’s actually a massive benefit for legitimate users. By keeping "bad actors" off their platform, Postmark ensures that their delivery rates stay near 100% for the rest of us. Conclusion
: Separate your high-priority Transactional traffic from Broadcast (bulk/newsletters) traffic to protect your sender reputation.