System and method for providing computer-based postage stamps

A data processing system adapted to print postage, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory operably coupled to the processor and having program instructions stored therein, the processor being operable to execute the program instructions, the program instructions including:
• receiving a label stock pre-printed serial number, the pre-printed serial number including a master serial number;
• receiving a postage request;
• generating an indicium in accordance with the master serial number, pre-printed serial number, and the postage request, the indicium providing a visual verification of a match with the pre-printed serial number;
• and
• printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

A method for printing postage, comprising:

• receiving a label stock with at least one pre-printed serial number on a label, the pre-printed serial number related to a master serial number of the label stock, the label stock including printing in color-changing ink, labels cut with a special die, micro-printing, and a watermark;
• receiving a postage request;
• generating an indicium in accordance with the master serial number, pre-printed serial number, and the postage request, the indicium providing means for verifying the validity of the postage;
• and
• printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

A method for printing postage, comprising:

• receiving a label stock comprising a first label with a pre-printed serial number;
• receiving a postage request;
• generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request;
• printing the postage using the indicium and the first label, the indicium providing means for verifying the validity of the postage;
• tracking the use of the pre-printed serial number;
• and
• rejecting a subsequent postage request for a second label with the pre-printed serial number.

A method for printing postage, comprising:

• receiving a label stock with a pre-printed serial number, the label stock cut with a special die and including printing in color-changing ink;
• receiving a postage request;
• generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request, the indicium providing means for verifying the validity of the postage by a known correspondence to the pre-printed serial number;
• and
• printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock.

A method for printing postage, comprising:

• receiving a pre-printed serial number for label stock cut with a special die;
• receiving a postage request;
• generating an indicium in accordance with the pre-printed serial number and the postage request;
• printing the postage using the indicium and the label stock;
• tracking the use of the pre-printed serial number;
• and
• blocking subsequent use of the pre-printed serial number.

A method for generating a display in a user interface for printing postage, comprising:

• receiving a label stock type for a label stock, the label stock including a plurality of sequenced labels;
• receiving a label starting sequence number for a label from the plurality of sequenced labels;
• and
• generating a label stock display using the label stock type and label starting sequence number, the label stock display providing means for verifying the validity of the postage in relation to the label starting sequence number.