NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service will issue SpongeBob SquarePants commemorative Forever stamps at a first-day-of-issue event in Times Square on Aug. 1, 2025. The ceremony, held at Father Duffy Square at 7th Avenue and West 47th Street, is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. EDT. The stamps, celebrating the iconic Nickelodeon animated series, will be available for purchase at the event, with news shared using the hashtag #SpongeBobSquarePantsStamps.
Greg Breeding, a USPS art director, designed the stamps using artwork provided by Nickelodeon and will be available to sign autographs during the event. The four-stamp collection features characters from the beloved show, created by Stephen Hillenburg. Two stamps display close-up images of SpongeBob SquarePants with his signature goofy smiles. A third stamp includes a group of Bikini Bottom residents: Sandy Cheeks, Patrick Star, Plankton, Mr. Krabs, SpongeBob, Gary, and Squidward Tentacles. The fourth stamp depicts SpongeBob and Patrick playing on the sandy ocean floor.
The SpongeBob SquarePants Forever stamps are issued at the First-Class Mail one-ounce rate and will retain their value regardless of future rate changes. The event in Times Square marks the official release, allowing attendees to purchase the stamps and engage with postal service representatives.
The Nickelodeon series, which debuted in 1999, has become a cultural phenomenon, resonating with audiences through its humor and memorable characters. The show follows the adventures of SpongeBob, a sea sponge living in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, alongside friends like Patrick, a starfish, and Squidward, a grumpy octopus. Its universal themes of friendship, optimism, and workplace dynamics have sustained its popularity across generations.
The stamp designs reflect the show’s vibrant aesthetic, capturing the essence of its characters. Breeding, who has designed numerous USPS stamps, collaborated with Nickelodeon to select artwork that highlights the series’ iconic imagery. The two SpongeBob-focused stamps emphasize his expressive personality, while the group stamp showcases the diversity of Bikini Bottom’s residents. The SpongeBob and Patrick stamp evokes the show’s playful underwater setting, a hallmark of its visual style.
Forever stamps, introduced by the USPS in 2007, are designed to simplify mailing by maintaining their value despite postage rate increases. The SpongeBob SquarePants stamps join a tradition of commemorative issues celebrating cultural milestones, such as previous USPS releases honoring animated series, historical figures, and natural landmarks. Collectors and fans alike are expected to seek out the stamps, given the show’s enduring appeal.
The issuance process involves multiple stages, from design selection to printing and distribution. The USPS collaborates with artists and organizations, in this case Nickelodeon, to ensure authenticity and alignment with the subject matter. Breeding’s role as art director included overseeing the layout and visual coherence of the stamp pane, ensuring each design meets postal service standards for size, color, and clarity.
The SpongeBob SquarePants stamps represent a convergence of postal tradition and modern pop culture, reflecting the USPS’s commitment to honoring diverse aspects of American life. The series’ optimistic tone and colorful characters make it a fitting subject for a commemorative issue, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.
