Collecting
How to Use Stamp Hinges
To use a stamp hinge, fold it with the gummed side out, the short fold about a third of the way down. Lightly moisten the short fold and press it to the top of the back of the stamp, then lightly moisten the long part and press the stamp onto the album page. Use the smallest amount of moisture you can. Never hinge a mint or valuable stamp; those belong in mounts.
At a glance
Before you hinge anything
One rule comes first, and it matters more than the method. Never hinge a mint or valuable stamp. A hinge disturbs the gum and reduces the value of a mint stamp, so those always go in mounts, as our guide to hinges versus mounts explains.
Hinges are for used and inexpensive stamps, where there is no gum to protect. With that settled, here is the correct method.
Used stamps only
Hinges belong on used and inexpensive stamps. For anything mint or potentially valuable, reach for a mount instead, since a hinge can never be removed from gum without leaving a trace.
How to use a stamp hinge, step by step
Take a peelable hinge
Use a modern peelable hinge, gummed on one side. Have the stamp and album page ready.
Fold the hinge
Fold it with the gummed side facing outward, making a short fold roughly a third of the way down, leaving a longer part below.
Moisten the short fold
Touch the short fold lightly to a damp sponge or your tongue. Use the least moisture that will make it stick; too much spreads the gum.
Attach it to the stamp
Press the short fold to the back of the stamp, near the top, so the stamp will be held at the top and can be lifted to view the back.
Moisten the long part
Lightly moisten the lower, longer part of the hinge.
Mount the stamp on the page
Position the stamp where you want it and press the long part of the hinge onto the album page. Let it dry before lifting or moving the stamp.
Lifting a hinged stamp later
A peelable hinge is made to come away again. When the hinge is fully dry, you can gently lift the stamp and peel the hinge from both the stamp and the page, leaving little or no mark. Always wait until the hinge is dry before peeling, since lifting a damp hinge can thin the stamp. If a hinge resists, leave it rather than force it.
A reminder on mint stamps
The costliest beginner's mistake
It bears repeating, because it is the most common and costly beginner's mistake: do not hinge mint stamps. Even a peelable hinge usually leaves a trace on the gum, which turns an unmounted mint stamp into a hinged one and lowers its value, as our guide to MNH explains. For anything mint or potentially valuable, use a mount.
Frequently asked questions
Fold the hinge with the gummed side out, moisten the short fold and press it to the top of the back of the stamp, then lightly moisten the long part and press the stamp onto the page. Use the least moisture possible.
Near the top of the back, so the stamp is held at the top and can be lifted to view the reverse, and so the hinge does not show below the stamp.
Yes, a peelable hinge is designed to lift off once fully dry, leaving little or no mark. Always let it dry before peeling, and never force a hinge that resists.
No. A hinge disturbs the gum and reduces a mint stamp's value. Mint and valuable stamps should always go in mounts.
Fold, moisten lightly, used stamps only
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Founder and stamp dealerLast updated June 2026