In a previous article we already discussed what a die-cut stamp is (see article: FAQ-What is a die-cut stamp?). Many of you have noticed when shopping for your Quarterly Packs that some stamps are described as «die-cut to shape from Quartely Pack». What does this mean?
Quarterly Packs are prepared by Canada Post as an easy way for collectors to procure all of the stamps issued in a year in tri-monthly installments. A Quarterly Pack contains single specimens of stamps, souvenir sheets and also single, self-adhesive stamps from a booklet or coil that have been «die-cut to shape». In other words, the stamps have been cut out of the booklet or coil in order to be included in the Pack.
Obviously, there is no one sitting around at Canada Post cutting out all of these self-adhesive stamps by hand with a pair of scissors. As you already know, a die-cut usually only goes through the stamp paper and not the backing paper. In this case however, the metal die cuts right through the backing paper, producing a single, self-adhesive stamp precisely cut by machine from a booklet or coil according to its shape.
So, if you want, you can cut out your self-adhesives for your album yourself (nothing wrong with that, but you will see some of the backing paper), or you can purchase a die-cut to shape single or a Quarterly Pack. The choice is yours.
**Check the content descriptions of each Quarterly Pack sold at Arpin Philately carefully. On occasion, some single, self-adhesive die-cut stamps were not included by Canada Post and the whole booklet was included instead.