Greater New York Postal Customer Council Krista Finazzo USPS Operational Requirements April 16, 2008

Agenda New Address Standards for Flats Letter-Size Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Flats Sequencing System Combined Mailings — Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats Pressure-Sensitive Scheme Bundle Labels

New Address Standards New address standards for flats are effective in March 2009 and specify: Address location Address format

New Address Standards The new address location standards apply to these presorted, automation, and carrier route flats: Periodicals Standard Mail Package Services Final rule out later this month. Implementation in March 2009. We will use the DMM Advisory to keep everyone informed. (Subscribe by sending email to dmmadvisory@usps.com or give us your business card after the meeting.

Address must be in top half of mailpiece. New Address Standards Address location: Address must be in top half of mailpiece. Vertical address may cross midpoint if placed within 1 inch of top edge. When the address is on an insert polywrapped with the host piece, the address must maintain placement throughout processing and delivery. Final rule out later this month. Implementation in March 2009. We will use the DMM Advisory to keep everyone informed. (Subscribe by sending email to dmmadvisory@usps.com or give us your business card after the meeting.

New Address Standards Final Rule Top Half Top Half Bound edge on right John Doe 123 Main St Anywhere, USA 12345 Top Half John Doe 123 Main St Anywhere, USA 12345 Anywhere, USA 12345 John Doe 123 Main St Can be left or right justified, or centered Can face left or right Bound edge on right The final standards provide more options for most mailpieces. Anywhere, USA 12345 123 Main St John Doe Cannot read upside down Bound edge on right

Sans-serif font and all capital letters strongly preferred. New Address Standards Address format: All commercial flats must be addressed using at least 8-point type (each letter or figure must be at least 0.080 inch high). Sans-serif font and all capital letters strongly preferred. A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

Additional standards for automation pieces: New Address Standards Additional standards for automation pieces: Address characters cannot overlap. Address lines cannot touch or overlap (0.028-inch clearance preferred). Address elements may be separated by no more than five blank spaces. A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

New Address Standards Flats using POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code may use 6-point type (each letter or figure must be at least 0.065 inch high) if the address is printed in all capital letters. A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

New Address Standards One-inch label using 10-point type and all required/recommended clear spaces. A and D are the required clear spaces above and below the Intelligent Mail barcode (current requirements and not changing). C is the required clear space to the left and right (current requirements and not changing). B is the clear space needed from the address to the bottom of the label (allows for label trimming). E is the preferred clear space of 0.028-inch between the address lines.

New Address Standards Eight-point type. Six-point type.

New Address Standards Final rule on pe.usps.com. Implementation on March 29, 2009. Contact local MDA for design assistance. Contact PCSC for national rulings.

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers “Slim-jims”: Letter-size, unenveloped pieces. Shape-based pricing structure increases attractiveness. Commonly processed on flat sorters: Supervisor/operator redirects due to jams Increases cost

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Identify which types of booklets and folded self-mailers will process on letter-sorting equipment. Develop new standards for mailpiece characteristics and required tabbing. Align standards for “machinable” and “automation” pieces.

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Engineering test — Phase 1: 78 manufactured decks of 500 pieces. Test size and thickness, tabs (strength, style, location), and spine location.

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Phase 1 results: Thickness and tab integrity were the most important characteristics. Pieces 1/16-inch thick processed at acceptable rates when tabs remained in place Pieces 1/8-inch thick sustained unacceptable levels of jams and damage Cover stock was also important, especially on thicker pieces.

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Engineering test — Phase 2: More precise testing of tabbing, thickness, and cover stock. Evaluation of cover friction, compatibility with current letter trays, and tab certification procedures. Manufactured test pieces and “live” pieces submitted by mailers.

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Seven-part evaluation: Enveloped pieces Spine-right booklets Multifold booklets Single-sheet mailers Large postcards Booklets with flimsy inner pages Compatibility with letter trays

Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers Tentative Schedule Advance notice: Available now Phase 2 testing: June – July Phase 2 analysis: July Proposal for comment: Early Fall Final rule: TBD

Flats Sequencing System Automatic High Speed Feeders Dolly Induction Subsystem Carousel-style Sorter Tray Staging Integrated Tray Converters Mail Prep Subsystem

Flats Sequencing System TODAY TOMORROW

Flats Sequencing System New, auto-ready pallet will align mail preparation and entry with mail processing: Bundle preparation Pallet preparation Presorting Destination entry

Flats Sequencing System Bundle preparation concepts: One or two straps, no shrinkwrap. No compensating or counterstacking of pieces. Consistent bundle sizes for ACTs.

Flats Sequencing System Pallet preparation concepts: Multiple FSS zones on a pallet. Non-FSS bundles on same pallet (sorted by APPS). Need enough mail to build cost-effective pallet.

Flats Sequencing System Presorting concepts: Exploring options based on today’s carrier routes. Auto-ready bundles would be scheme-specific, not route specific. Developing models and data sets to determine appropriate pricing.

Flats Sequencing System Destination entry concepts: Entry points will expand and condense as FSS is deployed. After full deployment, number of entry points may be same or fewer than today.

Auto-Ready Pallet Concept Flats Sequencing System Non-FSS Bundles FSS Bundles for Multi FSS Schemes Auto-Ready Pallet Concept

Mixed Classes New pilot option to combine mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats on pallets: Achieve finer presort and deeper drop shipment. Copalletization — combine bundles into one mailstream. Comailing — combine pieces into one mailstream.

Pallets must drop ship at DADC or DSCF. Mixed Classes Pallets must drop ship at DADC or DSCF. Pallets handled as Standard Mail. Existing rates and classification unchanged: Mailers must adhere to the volume minimums for Standard Mail by including at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds in each combined mailing. Periodicals publications must be authorized or pending authorization.

Pressure-sensitive scheme bundle labels available soon! Bundle Label Update Pressure-sensitive scheme bundle labels available soon! 5-Digit Scheme (red) 3-Digit Scheme (green) Use instead of Optional Endorsement Lines Contact your BME manager

Resources Postal Explorer pe.usps.com MailPro mncsc@usps.com DMM Advisory dmmadvisory@usps.com “Flats Day” May 20th at National Postal Forum www.npf.org The NPF will be held in Anaheim, CA, from May 18-21. A new Flats Symposium on May 20 will provide an overview of the Postal Service's flats vision, an update on the Flats Sequencing System, including address placement issues, and flats containerization, and the day will close with a "town hall" meeting. For more information, a detailed brochure is available on the NPF website.

Thank You! Questions