Training stamp

They generally have the same size and shape as regular stamps, but with a minimal design.

Alternatively, several countries have simply obliterated their regular stamps in order to make the training process more realistic, for instance Sudan and the United Kingdom.

Training stamps have been widely used in France and one series consists of a number of plain labels of minimal design with different numbers and the words sans valeur (without value).

A range of cancelled or voided paper money, cheques, postal orders, credit cards and horizon labels are also used to train workers which takes place at counter training schools (CTOs).

[2] Around the early twentieth century, some U.S. business colleges used specially pre-cancelled stamps or stamp-like labels to train students in the handling of stamps.

A modern French training stamp
Post office training stamps of Sudan. Overprinted and punched to prevent postal use.