For Printers:

Here is a summary of mailing requirements for various common mailpieces. These requirements can be found in a more detailed format in the United States Post Office's Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) which can be found online here. If you have any further questions regarding the requirements for mailpieces, please contact us.


BARCODING:

A mailpiece will include a mail panel which can hold an address and an Intelligent Mail Barcode. A USPC approved IMB is approximately 3 inches long and 1/4 inch tall. This barcode must be printed AT LEAST 1/2 INCH FROM THE LEFT EDGE OF THE MAILPIECE and must be at least 1/8 inch from any other text/art (including verticle lines on postcards). This barcode is printed in black and must be on a solid white (or other very light colored) area (speckles, screened graphics and dark colors tend to cause barcode misreads).

MAILPIECE DIMENSIONS:

 

Postcards:

Minimum Size:
 3.5" X 5"

Maximum Size (First Class Postcard rate):
 4.25" X 6"

Maximum Size (Presort Standard/Non-Profit Rate):

6.125" X 11"*

NOTE: The size for a card and the size for a booklet or folded selfmailer are different from each other.

4.25" X 6" MUST BE ON AT LEAST .007 STOCK. LARGER POSTCARDS MUST BE ON AT LEAST .009 STOCK.



Letters:



Minimum Size:

 3.5" X 5"

Maximum Size, Selfmailer:

Maximum Size, Folded Selfmailer

6.125" X 11"

6" X 10.5"

Maxumum Thickness:

 .25"

Minimum Thickness:

 .009 (on the micrometer)

Maximum Weight, First Class and Presort Standard:

 After 13 oz, First Class Mail is classified as Priority Mail

Presort Standard/Non-Profit Rates: 3.3 Oz, with overweight pieces (up to 1 lb.) going at Piece/Pound rates)

Flats

Minimum Size: More than 6.25" tall and/or 11.5" wide.

 Maximum Size: 12" tall, 15" wide.

Maxumum Thickness:

 .75"

Minimum Thickness:

 .009 (on the micrometer)

Maximum Weight:

 First Class, 13 ounces. Classified as Priority Mail after 13 oz. 


Presort Standard/Non-Profit Rates:  3.3 Oz. Mail pieces heaver than 3.3 oz will calculate postage at the piece/pound rate.



 

Tabbing:

There are many, complicated rules that now apply to tab/wafer sealing.  Note: The minimum number of tabs now required is two. Depending on mail piece design, more than two tabs may be required and 1.5" tabs may be required.

Booklets (folded and/or stitched)have folding and tabbing rules that are are different from folded selfmailers.

Booklets, Folded Selfmailers Cards and Flats (non-letters) are all classified different from each other and are subject to unique rules and requirements .

There is a link to the USPS DMM website at the top of this page, or please contact us if you need any help with the USPS requirements for your mailer.


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