USPS Logo

United States Postal Service LogoUSPS Logo PNG

“Customer letters are our priority,” states the USPS logo. The emblem demonstrates the speed at which mail is delivered from sender to recipient, highlighting the delivery service’s reach across all corners of America.

USPS: Brand overview

Founded:July 1, 1971
Headquarters:
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Website:usps.com
In global rankings, the independent agency USPS holds the top spot for the number of deliveries, as every resident in the United States has access to its services. The official date of the service’s establishment is July 1, 1971, but this is just one stage in its history. It all began much earlier – in 1775 when politician Benjamin Franklin founded and headed the United States Postal Office. Currently, the Postmaster General is Louis DeJoy, an American businessman appointed in May 2020.

Meaning and History

USPS Logo History

The United States Postal Service has no official motto, though many believe otherwise. It does have a mascot – the bald eagle, recognized as a national symbol of the USA, also depicted on the modern USPS logo. However, this bird was not always the service’s representative. Previously, other symbols associated with swift delivery were used.

What is USPS?

USPS is the internal postal service of the United States. It’s an independent federal agency and one of the world’s largest organizations by employee count. Its main office is located in Washington. The service was founded in 1775.

1829 – 1837

United States Post Office Department Logo 1829-1837

The United States Postal Department was formed in 1792. It was symbolized by Mercury, the ancient Roman patron of commerce, responsible for transporting messages. Ebenezer Hazard proposed using the messenger of the gods as the main symbol in 1782 when the USPOD didn’t yet exist, and there was only the United States Postal Agency.

Hazard ensured Mercury was depicted in the postal center. The swift god ran across the globe with arms outstretched. He was recognizable by his characteristic attributes: winged helmet and caduceus. The mythical figure was encircled by “SEAL OF THE GEN POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.” This emblem was used until 1837.

1837 – 1970

United States Post Office Department Logo 1837-1970

In 1837, the postal service adopted a new seal featuring a horseman. Not just any horseman, but a postman, as a mailbag hung from his saddle with the inscription “U.S. MAIL.” This image arose because couriers previously rode horses to deliver packages and mail overland.

Designers made the logo dynamic, as USPOD head Amos Kendall wanted it to reflect the postman’s hard work. The black-and-white drawing was inside a circle, surrounded by two inscriptions: “POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The country’s name was split by five-pointed stars to the right and left.

1970 – 1993

United States Postal Service Logo 1970-1993

In mid-1970, the U.S. President signed the Postal Reorganization Act, related to creating the United States Postal Service. Simultaneously, the emblem changed: the bald eagle was first centered above a red horizontal line, wings spread. Below was the black inscription “U.S. MAIL,” underscored by another red line. Instead of a square frame, the full-service name and nine five-pointed stars were used – a design by Raymond Loewy, an industrial design master.

1993 – today

United States Postal Service Logo 1993-present

When Marvin Runyon became Postmaster General, he decided to update the logo. As a result, only the white head with a 90-degree hooked beak remained of the eagle. Designers placed it inside a blue rectangle with the name United States Postal Service to the right. The first two words were above a thin red line. Below is the second part of the inscription in the same distinctive sans-serif italic font.

USPS: Interesting Facts

The United States Postal Service, or USPS, is a super important club for sending mail. It started long ago before it was officially its own thing in 1971.

  1. Back in the Day: Before the USA was even the USA, Benjamin Franklin was the first to ensure mail got around. This was so people could talk and share ideas without Britain getting in the way.
  2. Becoming Official: In 1971, the USPS became its boss, meaning it had to make its own money but still be part of the government. It was a big deal because it changed from a government job to a business.
  3. New Ways to Send Mail: The USPS has always tried to find faster and smarter ways to send letters and packages. They tried using fast horses, set up free delivery to people living in the countryside, and even made a special code for addresses to help sort mail better.
  4. Trains and Planes: Before airplanes were common, trains were the go-to for moving mail across the country. Later, in 1918, the USPS started sending mail by airplane, which was a huge step in making things quicker.
  5. Helping with Health: A long time ago, the USPS helped spread the word about staying healthy and even delivered medicine to Alaska during an emergency.
  6. Mail in War Times: During big wars, the USPS kept running, helping soldiers get letters from home and even using film to send letters at once without taking up much space.
  7. Lots of Vehicles: The USPS has over 200,000 cars and trucks to ensure mail gets to everyone, everywhere.
  8. Green Moves: They’re also trying to be more eco-friendly, like using electric cars and improving their buildings for the planet.
  9. Keeping Mail Safe: The Postal Inspection Service is a special team that ensures nobody messes with the mail or does anything illegal.

From riding horses to using the latest tech, the USPS has grown and changed just like the country, always finding new ways to help us communicate and stay connected.

Font and Colors

United States Postal Service Emblem

The bald eagle symbolizes USPS’s future and the spirit of the modern era. It’s a majestic and powerful bird associated with America and the USPS. The current logo appears very decisive, depicted by artists as soaring upward.

Andrew Higgins, a hydrodynamics enthusiast and engineering professor, even calculated a value that would help determine the eagle’s speed. He assumed the white halo around the head represented a shock wave. Using several formulas, he calculated the Mach number 4.9. This means the bird moves faster than the sound. Two other Twitter users followed suit, considering the blue color shift and determining the approximate speed of the eagle to be about 60,000 km/s.

The italic font Postmaster gives the logo a unique and modern look. All letters, including the triangular “A,” were designed by typographer Daniel Zadorozny. The primary colors are white, red, and blue, corresponding to the Hex shades #FFFFFF, #DA291C, and #004B87.

USPS color codes

Midnight BlueHex color:#004b87
RGB:0 75 135
CMYK:100 44 0 47
Pantone:PMS 301 C
Maximum RedHex color:#da291c
RGB:218 41 28
CMYK:0 81 87 15
Pantone:PMS Bright Red C

FAQ

What Does the USPS Logo Represent?

The USPS logo features the bald eagle, a symbol of the United States. Positioned sideways and facing right, the bird embodies endurance, aspiration, determination, and the grandeur of the American postal service.

Is it Illegal to Use the USPS Logo?

Yes, unauthorized persons using the USPS logo is illegal. To photograph the sign for personal use, one must contact the local post office and request permission from its management.

Is USPS a Trademark?

It is a trademark owned by the executive branch of the United States government.

Who Designed the USPS Postal Service Logo?

The designer of the United States Postal Service logo is CYB Yashumura Design Inc., a subsidiary of Young & Rubicam. They proposed three hundred options to choose from.