Horizon label facts for kids
A Horizon label is a special sticky label used for postage in the United Kingdom. It's like a variable value stamp, meaning its value can change. These labels first appeared in 2002. They were part of a big project to update the computer systems at Post Office branches across the UK. This new system was called the Horizon System, and it helped make sending mail easier.
How Horizon Labels Changed Over Time
When Horizon labels first came out, they were large and plain white. They only had text on them. Later, they changed to a gold color. These newer labels also featured the Machin head design, which is a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. They also had the words "ROYALMAIL" repeated to help prevent people from making fake labels.
Here's how Horizon labels have developed:
- February 14, 2002: The very first labels were used in about 1,000 Post Offices. They were white with straight edges.
- April 30, 2002: Small cuts, called security slits, were added to the labels. This made it harder for people to reuse them.
- August & September 2002: Horizon labels became available in Post Offices all over the country.
- April 2009: Labels started to look like they had tiny holes, or "perforations," around the edges.
- June 8, 2009: The first gold labels appeared. These were for Special Delivery mail only. They first showed up at the Camden High Street Post Office in London. Gold labels were then slowly introduced everywhere.
- April 20, 2010: Labels with words in both English and Welsh became available in Post Offices in Wales.
- August 23, 2010: Labels with straight edges were brought back. This happened first at the Old Street Post Office, then across the country.
- September 29, 2011: Codes for Value Added Tax (VAT) were added to the labels.
- May 2015: "Pre-cancelled" labels were tested at an exhibition. These labels had "Single Use Only" printed in the corner. Their color changed back to white. They were later used nationwide.
- September 2015: A barcode was added to the label design.
Training Post Office Staff
Post Office workers need to learn how to use the Horizon System and its labels. As early as 2003, they used "voided" Horizon labels for training. These labels were marked "VOID" so they couldn't be used for actual mail. This helped staff practice without wasting real postage.
