How It Works

From your baby's first moments to a keepsake you'll treasure forever, here's how First Stamps gets your newborn's footprints from the hospital to your door. Your experience follows one of two paths, depending on whether your hospital has a First Stamps Scanner System.

A hospital caregiver captures a newborn's footprint with the First Stamps scanner

Hospitals With a First Stamps Scanner

If your hospital has one of our Scanner Systems, your baby's footprints are already on file. No extra steps needed on your end at the hospital.

  1. Hospital staff capture your newborn's footprints using the First Stamps imaging station, right in your delivery or postpartum room. This is a quick, gentle, ink-free process.
  2. You receive a Parent Guide with a QR code on it before you leave the hospital.
  3. Scan the QR code with your phone to get access to your free digital keepsake issued from your hospital, including your baby's high-resolution footprint images.
  4. Choose your keepsake and place your order. Browse our collection of art, ornaments, jewelry and more, all featuring your baby's actual footprints, and check out securely online.
Two inked newborn footprints on paper labeled Footprints

Hospitals Without a First Stamps Scanner

If your hospital didn't have one of our Scanner Systems, you can still create a beautiful First Stamps keepsake using the traditional ink-and-paper footprint print your hospital already provides.

  1. Get your baby's footprints the traditional way. Hospital staff will take an ink or paper print of your newborn's footprints as part of standard newborn care, just as they always have.
  2. Choose your keepsake and place your order. As part of the order, take a photo of the print using your smartphone and upload it directly through your account on our website. Learn more about uploading your footprint photo.

What Happens Next

Once your order is placed, here's what to expect on the road to your finished keepsake.

01

Artwork prep

Our design team is already at work on your keepsake.

02

Digital proof

Within 3 business days, you'll receive a preview to review and approve.

03

Production

Once approved, we'll lovingly build your keepsake by hand. Up to 10 business days.

04

Shipping

We'll update tracking as soon as your order ships. Most U.S. orders arrive within 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am not sure whether my hospital used a First Stamps Scanner System?

No problem, email us at operations@firststamps.com and we will check on it for you.

What if I lost my Parent Guide Form?

Don't worry, email us at operations@firststamps.com with the hospital name, attending physician, birthdate and birth time and we will check on it for you.

Is my baby's image secure?

Yes. Your QR code and uploaded images are only accessible to you and are handled in accordance with our privacy and biometric data policies.

How long do I have to order?

Your baby's footprint images are saved securely for five years, so there's no rush. Order whenever you're ready, whether that's today or down the road.

What if my upload doesn't capture the footprint clearly?

Our team reviews every uploaded image and will reach out if we need a clearer photo to produce your best possible keepsake.

Ready to create your keepsake?

Browse our collection of art, ornaments, jewelry and more, each one made with your baby's actual footprints.

Explore Keepsakes