Standard MailStandard Mail

STANDARD MAIL PROCESSING CATEGORIESPROCESSING CATEGORIES

LettersLetters

FlatsFlats

Machinable ParcelsMachinable Parcels

Irregular ParcelsIrregular Parcels

The size of your mailpiece determines the The size of your mailpiece determines the rates available to you. rates available to you.

Standard Mail weighs less than one pound and includes circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, newsletters, direct mail and merchandise.

Standard Mail is not closed against Standard Mail is not closed against postal inspection. It may not include: postal inspection. It may not include:

Mail of a personal natureMail of a personal nature Bills or invoices Statements of account Handwritten or typewritten matter Keys or identification devices

STANDARD MAIL

Application Fee $ 180.00 (Permit Imprint)

Annual Bulk Fee $ 180.00

Minimum 200 pieces (or 50 lbs) per mailing

Submit at least one mailing every two years

Mail pieces must weight less than one pound

Correct ZIP Code on mail pieces

Properly sorted into packages, trays, sacks or pallets

Deposited at designated entry point

Required Postage Statement

STANDARD MAILSTANDARD MAILBASIC REQUIREMENTS

Postage Payment Methods

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 3

Permit Imprint Meter Precanceled

Stamp

PRSRT STD PR

SR

T S

TD

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAIDBALTIMORE MD PERMIT NO. 1

STANDARD MAIL

NONPROFIT ORG

$180.00 additional one-time nonrefundable fee ( PS 3615)

$180.00 annual Bulk Fee

Imprint made by printing, hand stamping, or computer

All pieces within a permit imprint mailing must be identical in weight

Open advance deposit (trust account) by depositing money at post office to cover cost of mailing prior to or at the time of mailing

Permit Imprint

Standard Mail

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA MD PERMIT NO. 3

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA MD PERMIT NO. 3

COMPANY PERMIT IMPRINT OPTIONCOMPANY PERMIT IMPRINT OPTION

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID JOHN DOE COMPANY

PRESORTED STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID JOHN DOE COMPANY

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID AMER RED CROSS

NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID AMER RED CROSS

The name of the company in the indicia must The name of the company in the indicia must possess the permit. possess the permit.

The permit holder must retain records of mailing The permit holder must retain records of mailing for one year. for one year.

Mail piece must bear a domestic return address.Mail piece must bear a domestic return address.

No Application fee

Annual Bulk Fee required

Assigned value of $0.05 (non-profit)

$ 0.10 (commercial)

Pay additional postage at time of mailing

Return address required

Pre-canceled Stamps

PRSRT STD

STANDARD MAIL

No Application fee Meter license

Lease meter from manufacturer

“Presorted Standard” or “PRSRT STD” slug; or “Non Profit org.” for non-profit mailers (order from meter manufacturer)

Affix postage at the correct or lowest rate

Postage Meter

189

PR

SR

T S

TD

STANDARD MAIL

Unlike First-Class Mail, Standard

Mail doesn’t use weight to determine

postage for pieces that weigh less than

3.3 ounces.

All pieces of Standard Mail weighing less than 3.3 ounces can be mailed at the same per piece postage rate.

Pieces weighing more than 3.3 ounces are charged a per-piece rate plus a per-pound rate.

Standard MailStandard Mail

BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED

Multiple SheetsTwo TabsFold Spine on bottomPaper weight 20 lb

POSTAL BUSINESS CENTER 2035 HURLEY WAY STE 200 SACRAMENTO CA 95825-3209

There are many tabbing options available, depending on thickness and folding method.

Refer to the Publication 25-Designing Letter Mail for illustrated examples.

MACHINABILITY STANDARDS

Standard Mail

hei

gh

t

Flat Size Flat Size Length: Length: 11-1/2 to 1511-1/2 to 15 inches inches

Height: Height: 6-1/8 to 126-1/8 to 12 inches inches

Thickness: Thickness: .25 to .75.25 to .75 inch inch

Weight: less than Weight: less than 16 ounces16 ounces

Flats mailed at Flats mailed at automation automation rates rates have slightly different size have slightly different size restrictions.restrictions.

15”15”

12”12”

LengthLength

No tabbing requirements

Final Fold or BoundFinal Fold or BoundEdge ForwardEdge Forward

pc mag

JOU

RN

AL

NEW

S D

AIL

Y

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Some films are acceptable

Polywrap, Polybag, Shrinkwrap

JOEL SCHROEDERUS POSTAL SERVICE500 W CHESTNUT EXPY RM 140SPRINGFIELD MO 65801-9996

Nonautomation Letters

P R E P A R A T I O NP R E P A R A T I O N

Presorting a MailingPresorting a Mailing

Labeling packagesLabeling packagesAll pieces for the same 5-digit Zip code ( also called “direct”)

All pieces for the same area distribution center Label List L004

All pieces for the same first three digits ofa Zip Code

Mixed ADC pieces for two or more area distribution centers

55

33

AA

XXXX

************* 5 DIGIT 22030

Jonathan R. Marburger

3815 CHAIN BRIDGE RD

FAIRFAX VA 22030-3999

Information Line Formats

Optional EndorsementLine

Any remaining pieces must be put into mixed-ADC package(s)

Place tan label MS in lower left corner of top piece of package

Nonautomation Letters

5-digit 3-digit ADC Mixed-ADC

10+5

X3 10+10A 10+

Packaging

Prepare full trays for the same 5-digit ZIP Code

– Packaging is optional for full 5-digit trays

Nonautomation Letters

5-digit 3-digit

Traying - 3/5 Rate

5-digit

Full

10+5 3 10+

Place remaining packages (D’s & 3’s) for the same 3-digit area in 3-digit trays

One less-than-full or overflow tray allowed for a 3-digit area

Nonautomation Letters

5-digit 3-digit

Traying - 3/5 Rate

5-digit

Full

3-digit

3/5 rate

10+5 3 10+

Prepare fulltrays with packages to the same ADC

– Consult Labeling List L004 to match ZIPs with correct ADC

Nonautomation Letters

5-digit 3-digit ADC

Traying - Basic Rate

ADC

FullBasic rate

10+5 3

10+ A 10+

Place any remaining packages in mixed-ADC tray(s)

Tray need not be full

Nonautomation Letters

5-digit 3-digit ADC

Traying - Basic Rate

Mixed-ADC

Mixed-ADC

Basic rate

10+5 X3 10+ A 10+

Tray label for 5-digit tray

Line 1, use city, state, ZIP Code of destination

Nonautomation Letters

WASHINGTON DC 20036STD LTRS 5D NON BCWASHINGTON DC

WASHINGTON DC 20036STD LTRS 5D NON BCWASHINGTON DC

Tray Labeling

Destination

Contents

Origin

MACHINABILITY STANDARDS

Length Divided by Height = 1.3 - 2.5

Acceptable

Unacceptable 5

÷ 4 = 1.5

Aspect Ratio

6"

4"

4"

5"

÷ 4 = 1.25

6

Aspect Ratio

MACHINABILITY STANDARDS

Polywrap, Polybag, Shrink-wrap

Bill Russell3447 Harbor Dr.Westridge, MA 23435

0.32Don’t

even

think

about it!AMY JONES4532 WEST DRIVESAN ANTONIO TX 78284-9623

BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED

Multiple SheetsTwo TabsFold Spine on bottomPaper weight 20 lb

POSTAL BUSINESS CENTER 2035 HURLEY WAY STE 200 SACRAMENTO CA 95825-3209

There are many tabbing options available, depending on thickness and folding method.

Refer to the Domestic Mail Manual or Publication 25-Designing Letter Mail for illustrated examples.

MACHINABILITY STANDARDS

4 3/4”

5/8”Barcode Clear Zone

Barcode Clear ZoneBarcode Clear Zone

Barcode Clear Zone

READABILITY STANDARDSBarcode Clear Zone

Tray label for 5-digit tray

Line 1, use city, state, ZIP Code of destination

Nonautomation Letters

WASHINGTON DC 20037STD LTRS 5D MACHWASH DC

WASHINGTON DC 20037STD LTRS 5D MACHWASH DC

Destination

Contents

Origin

Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE

Tray label for 3-digit tray

Line 1, use Labeling List L002, Column A, for destination facility

Nonautomation Letters

LAKELAND FL 338STD LTRS 3D MACHWASH DC

LAKELAND FL 338STD LTRS 3D MACHWASH DC

Destination

Contents

Origin

Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE

Tray label for AADC tray

Line 1, use Labeling List L801 for destination facility

Nonautomation Letters

AADC WASHINGTON DC 200STD LTRS AADC MACHWASH DC

AADC WASHINGTON DC 200STD LTRS AADC MACHWASH DC

Destination

Contents

Origin

Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE

Tray label for mixed-AADC tray

Line 1, use Labeling List L803

Nonautomation Letters

MXD WASHINGTON DC 200STD LTRS MACH WKGWASH DC

MXD WASHINGTON DC 200STD LTRS MACH WKGWASH DC

Destination

Contents

Origin

Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• Local Postal Personnel

Mailpiece Design Analyst Business Mail Entry (410) 347-4645 (410) 347-4436Reviews layouts before printing, Explains Postal requirements provides free Reply Mail artwork, concerning rates, mail sortationfree design publications & templates. & preparation.

National Contact National Customer Support Center (800) 238-3150

Postal services available for your address data base. Lists of certified

CASS & PAVE software. NCOA, ACS, Move Update Information. Free

Postal publications.

POSTAL SERVICE UNITED STATES

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

• US Postal Service Web site

www.usps.com Latest information, Postal Bulletin, vendors list, ZIP+4 lookup,

forms and publications available for downloading, lots of stuff!

• Free Subscription

Mailers Companion Address QualityUS Postal Service6060 Primacy Pkwy Ste 201Memphis TN 38188-0001

POSTAL SERVICE UNITED STATES

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS