what is hand cancelling by the post office?

I've seen it on a couple of posts, and I feel silly but I have no idea what it means...

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

When they stamp it with an actual rubber stamp, by hand, individually, instead of running it through the machine.

Some po's give you the stamp and let you do it yourself if they are busy, it only takes about 10-15 minutes

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

What is the benefit?

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

I think it is just to look fancy on the invitation...

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

Fi hand cancelled our. Since they are cancelled they don't get put through the machine to get cancelled so there is less chance of them getting crushed. They do get put through the sorting machine though

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

How is the stamp any different than the machine in look?

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

The machines leave black marks across the envelope (the woman at post office described them as 'tire marks'). Also, if they are lumpy, they can get ruined in the machine because they won't go through smoothly.

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

I think it's mainly just for looks, especially if your invites are really extravagant. Mine aren't really, so I'm not going to bother.

If they're going cross-country a lot, they may get a little bit smushed anyway so it's really just personal preference.

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

by hand cancelling you avoid the big black streak across the front.
a friend of mine did not hand cancel and the whole beauty of her calligraphy got ruined by these ugly black streaks.

Re: what is hand cancelling by the post office?

Ok thanks for the advice....I will make sure to hand cancel.