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| Designing letter mailpieces for processing compatibility
is important for two reasons. First, postage surcharges can be avoided
when letter mail to conforms to standard sizes and shapes. Second, properly
designed mailpieces will process more efficiently and arrive at their
destination sooner.
These guidelines are intended to assist with basic mailpiece design.
Mailpieces designed accordingly will be better able to take advantage
of the Postal Service's automatic processing equipment. These recommendations
are given as requirements to achieve the special automation postage
rate. |
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Size
The Postal Service defines "Letter Mail" as all envelopes, folded mailers,
computer printed self mailers, booklets, and cards which fall within
the following size range
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Minimum |
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Maximum |
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Height |
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3 1/2" |
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6 1/8" |
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Length |
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5" |
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11 1/2" |
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Thickness |
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.007" (.009 if greater than
4 1/4" x 6") |
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1/4" |
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Mailpieces smaller than the minimum size above are not mailable.
Mailpieces larger than the maximum size above are mailable but will
be processed by less efficient manual or mechanized methods. First-Class
mailpieces weighing one ounce or less and Standard mailpieces weighing
three and three tenths ounces or less will be subject to an oversize
surcharge. |
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Aspect Ratio
In addition to the above size requirements, First-Class mailpieces,
weighing one ounce or less, and automation mailpieces are subject to
an aspect ratio requirement. To qualify as standard, the mailpiece must
fall between 1.3 and 2.5 in aspect ratio (length divided by height).
Non-conforming mailpieces are subject to a postage surcharge and can
not be processed by automated equipment. |
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Weight
Remember, keep the weight of the mailpiece in mind. First-Class postage
rates increase in one-ounce increments. Standard postage increases
to the next increment at three and three tenths ounces. Consider the
weight of the letter or brochure, envelope, if any, and reply card,
if any, in determining the total weight of the mailpiece. Remember,
coated stock is significantly heavier than uncoated stock. |
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Material
In addition to affecting the finish weight of the mailpiece, the weight
and type of paper stock used for a mailpiece is important for two reasons.
Heavier weight papers hold up better to mail processing. Not only do
they process better in automated equipment, but they arrive at their
destination "looking better". They also impart a "look and feel of quality"
in the hand of the recipient. This "look of quality" reflects back on
the sender. |
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Choose a
minimum of 16# stock for envelopes. |
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For self-mailers,
choose 24# bond, 60# text or 70# text paper stock. |
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The minimum
card stock weight for small post cards is 75#. Since stiffness
is the key factor in determining the processing compatibility,
as the size of the card increases, so should the weight of the
card stock. |
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Coated stock
is more durable than uncoated stock. |
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| Materials to Avoid |
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Avoid types
of coated paper stock so glossy that barcoding ink or postage
metering ink won't dry in one second. |
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Avoid using
envelopes without sufficient opacity to obscure extraneous printing
on inside of the mailpiece from showing through in the scanning
and barcoding areas. |
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Avoid using
paper containing dark fibers or background patterns in the scanning
and barcoding areas. |
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Avoid using
lightweight paper stock, especially for self-mailers. They tend
to jam processing equipment. |
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Avoid dark
papers where there will be insufficient contrast between the
address and its background or the barcoding and its background. |
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Avoid clasps,
staples, curved edges, protrusions and bulges which may jam
the automated processing equipment. |
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Address Panel Positioning
To quickly direct your mail to its destination, the Postal Service processing
equipment must be able to locate the address and read it. The automatic
equipment will be looking for the delivery address within an imaginary
rectangle on each mailpiece. This imaginary rectangle should be located
on the mailpiece as follows:
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Sides of the rectangle |
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1/2" from the right
and left edge |
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Bottom of the rectangle |
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5/8" up from the bottom
edge |
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Top of the rectangle |
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2-3/4" up from
the bottom edge |
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Barcoding Area
After the scanning equipment has read the address, a barcode will be
sprayed in the 5/8" clear area between the bottom edge of the envelope
and the address rectangle. This area must be kept clear of promotional
messages and logos.
As an example, the address, return address and barcode areas of a
typical mailpiece look like the following (please note this example
is not to scale):
Compliance with the above guidelines will assure that your mailing
will arrive on time and on budget. |
