The national postal company Maltapost yesterday launched another innovative product: personalised stamps – an initiative which has already attracted considerable interest from the Maltese, particularly those with a passion for philately.

The product has already been soft-launched and the interest it attracted was very encouraging, Maltapost chairman David Stellini said during the product’s official launch yesterday morning. He said the product could be simply used for entertainment or even as an alternative medium to market new products or companies. He expressed confidence – based on the feedback received – that the new product will be well received by the Maltese and tourists visiting the island.

Maltapost chief executive officer Stephen Sultana, who gave further details about this new product, said customisation and personalisation are the terms used to describe such a product. He said Maltapost was not reinventing the wheel with the introduction of this product but was simply introducing something which already existed in other countries.

There is a demand for such product and Maltapost is now supplying it, he said.

On his part, Maltapost marketing manager John Agius described the product as “an eye-catching idea”, adding that it can be used as a new marketing medium since the stamp is one of the details taken in by the person receiving a letter. Whether it is a new product, the company’s anniversary, someone’s wedding anniversary or birthday – the personalised stamp is both a useful and innovative gift.

The personalised stamp may be ordered from any of the 31 outlets Maltapost have around the island. Alternatively, an application may be downloaded in PDF format over the internet. At the moment, Maltapost is only accepting photographs which have already been printed.

In the long run, Maltapost will also accept digital prints made available via email or on CD.

The minimum order is that of 10 stamps which instead of costing 70c would cost Lm4.00. 20 stamps cost Lm7.60, 50 stamps cost Lm18 and 1000 stamps may be purchased for the price of Lm34.

Other amounts can also be ordered on 2596 1705.