16-10-2025

Back in 2005, Austrian Post chose the edelweiss as the iconic motif for a technical innovation, stitching the first Austrian postage stamp in fabric. Now the edelweiss is returning as a stamp – and this is a world first. The "Edelweiss Reloaded" is the world's first 3D-printed stamp. It was presented in fitting style by Wolfgang Schnabl, President of the Austrian Alpine Club, and Walter Oblin, CEO of Austrian Post.

The new edelweiss stamp was produced using a special 3D printer: Tiny droplets of liquid photopolymer were applied to stamp sheets through fine nozzles and cured by UV light before the next droplets were applied. This process created the edelweiss blossom motif, layer by layer, with printed hairs in varying color gradients and heights. The printed blossom is soft and pliable, and its velvety surface resembles that of a real edelweiss. The green lettering was also applied three-dimensionally using a 3D printer. Both the embroidered stamp from 2005 and the "Edelweiss Reloaded" were produced by the traditional Vorarlberg company Hämmerle & Vogel.
 
In keeping with the stamp motif, a special post office will be held during the Annual General Meeting of the Austrian Alpine Club. Philatelists and mountaineers have the opportunity to purchase the "Edelweiss Reloaded" for the first time on Saturday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Helmut List Hall in Graz (Waagner-Biro-Straße 98a, 8020 Graz) and have it canceled with a corresponding special cancellation.
 
The stamp has a face value of €6.50 (rate: Economy Letter International L, for all of Europe) and is issued in a limited edition of only 90,000. It can be used to frank letters like a conventional stamp. It will be available from Saturday, October 18, at all post offices, onlineshop.post.at , and from the Austrian Post's Collector Service (phone: +43 577 67 – 95095; email: [email protected] ).

Source: Austrian Post

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