® Educational Workshop MDA’s Top 10 Tips Robbie Butler Capital Metro Area United States Postal Service Greater Atlanta PCC – National PCC Day September 21, 2011

MDA’s Tip #10: Important Elements to Know Before Creating a Design  Postage Payment Method Regular Stamps, Precancelled Stamps, Metered Imprint or Permit Imprint  Class of Mail First-Class, Periodicals, Standard or Package Services  Processing Category Postcard, Letter, Flat or Parcel  Specific Pricing to be claimed Retail (Single Piece), Presorted, Automation (Barcoded), Carrier-Route

MDA’s Tip #9: Always Design Your Letters and Flats for Automation Success  OCR Recommendations  Barcode Requirements

MDA’s Tip #8: Always Print the Return Address (if used) in the Extreme Upper Left Corner of the Address Side or along the Rear Flap on Envelopes

MDA’s Tip #7: Choose/Use Ancillary Service Endorsements Wisely

MDA’s Tip #6: Be Careful With The Use of Die-Cuts ●Die-Cuts designed as “Windows” or as a flap generally ok ●Avoid Die-Cuts designed to go all the way through the mailpiece ●Avoid Die-Cuts that impact the shape of the design, unless designing the mail as “Customized Market Mail”.

MDA’s Tip #5: Maximize Your Message (Presort Standard Pricing) ●There is no “Postcard” price break ●Maximum weight for Machinable letter-size prices (3.3 ounces) ●There are different construction and sealing requirements for folded–self mailers versus booklet type designs

MDA’s Tip #4: Always Check Your Paper ●Does it afford the necessary minimum thickness? ●If a folded self-mailer or booklet type design, does it meet the minimum paper basis weight for the particular design option?

MDA’s Tip #3: Check all Reply Mail ●Does the design contain the appropriate Facing Identification Mark (FIM Pattern)? ●Does the design contain the most current remittance address? ●Is the design prebarcoded? If so, is it the new Intelligent Mail barcode? ●Does the barcode match the routing code provided in the remittance address?

MDA’s Tip #2: Get Educated & Stay Informed ●Join your local Postal Customer Council and attend all offered educational workshops. ●Subscribe to the DMM Advisory (Send an to and then put “Subscribe” on the “Re” line. ●Visit our “Postal Explorer” and RIBBS website and start reviewing the available information ( and

MDA’s Tip #1: Know Your Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) and Use Them ROBBIE BUTLER CAPTIAL METRO AREA PHONE NO. (Toll Free) Address: Serving the Atlanta District and Most of the State of South Carolina (290,291,292,293,294,295,296,297, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 311, & 399):

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