2. Basic Bulk Mail Preparation and Mailpiece Design Presented By: Felicia Carter

3. Basic Bulk Mail Acceptance and Mailpiece Design  What is Bulk Mail?  Basic Mailpiece Design  Addressing Requirements  Preparation Requirements

4. What is Bulk Mail?  The term "bulk mail" refers to quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage rates.  “Bulk mail" means discounted First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service).  The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably.  Bulk rates are discounted from "single-piece" rates. "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage rate.

5. What is Bulk Mail?  Bulk mail is a “workshare” process  The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service  Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.

6. Basic Mailpiece Design What is Mailable?  Not everything. Some items cannot be mailed, for legal and safety reasons.  It is the mailer’s responsibility to ensure that they do not mail anything that can injure postal employees, postal equipment, or customers’ mail.  Some mailpieces are too small to be mailed -- they are likely to get lost or jammed in postal equipment.  Some mailpieces are too large to be mailed -- they are simply too big for the Postal Service to handle. Some things are not the right shape to be mailed.

7. Basis Mailpiece Design Letter Size Pieces 3 1/2” Min. Height 5" Min. Length Maximum Weight First-Class 3.3 oz.Machinable Presort 3.5 oz.Automation Standard Presort 3.3 oz.Machinable Presort 3.5 oz.Automation NOTE: Pieces exceeding 4 1/4” high or 6” long must be at least.009” thick. Min. Max. Length 5” 11-1/2” Height 3-1/2” 6-1/8” Thickness 0.007” 1/4”

8. Basic Mailpiece Design – Nonmachinable CriteriaBasic Mailpiece Design Aspect ratio (length divided by height) is less than 1.3 or greater than 2.5 5" 4" Acceptable 4” ÷ 6” = 1.5 Unacceptable 4” ÷ 5” = 1.25 6" Square Rectangular

9. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Polybagged, polywrapped, or enclosed in any plastic material = Nonmachinable Mail PLASTICS INC PO BOX 0000 ANYWHERE IN 46206-0001 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State POSTAL FORUM 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington DC 20001 Also not permitted on automation-rate letter-size mail.

10. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices = Nonmachinable Mail Also not permitted on automation-rate letter-size mail.

11. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Odd shaped items such as pens, pencils, or loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mailpiece to be uneven. Also not permitted on automation-rate letter-size mail. Letters must be uniformly shaped.

12. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria If it is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn). Automation-rate letter-size mail must be flexible.

13. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Pieces exceeding 4 ¼” X 6” and less than.009” thick. 3.5” to 4.25” High 5” to 6” Long Thickness:.007” - up to.016” for postcards - up to.25” for letters 6” to 11.5” Long Thickness:.009” to.025” Automation letter rate pieces must meet the above dimensions.

14. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece. Automation rates require that the delivery address be parallel to the longest dimension. POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL 475 L’Enfant Plz Washington DC 20260-0846 POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL 475 L’Enfant Plz Washington DC 20260-0846 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State

15. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Booklet-type pieces having the bound edge (spine) along the shorter dimension of the piece or at the top, regardless of the use of tabs, wafer seals, or other fasteners. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State SPINE POSTAL FORUM 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington DC 20001-3614

16. Basic Mailpiece Design- Nonmachinable Criteria Self-mailers with a folded edge perpendicular to the address if the piece is not folded and secured according to DMM 201.13.02. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State FOLDFOLD Automation rates require that self-mailers with the fold along the shorter dimension have the fold on the right or leading edge. POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington DC 20001-3614 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT xxx City State POSTAL CUSTOMER COUNCIL 801 Mount Vernon Place NW Washington DC 20001-3614 FOLDFOLD

17. Basic Mailpiece Design Flat Size Pieces  Must be flexible  Uniform in thickness  Rectangular in shape Minimum*Maximum Length11-1/2 inches15 inches Height6-1/8 inches12 inches Thickness1/4 inch3/4 inch * Flats exceed at least one of these dimensions

18. Addressing  You’ve gone through a lot of time and expense to create a mailpiece that is attractive and effective. Now you need to make sure that it gets to your customer.  The Postal Service processes your mail on machines that read address information and translate it into a barcode. When a machine misreads an address, that mailpiece may get mis-sorted or delayed.  Believe it or not: over 42 million Americans move every year.

19. Addressing Delivery Address  The delivery address is the most important information on your mailpiece.  Use the following format for your delivery addresses: Name or attention line: JANE L MILLER Company: MILLER ASSOCIATES Delivery address: 1960 W CHELSEA AVE STE 2006 City, state, ZIP Code: ALLENTOWN PA 18104

20. Addressing When is a Return Address Required? 1. Mail of any class, when its return and/or address correction is requested 2. Official Mail 3. Mail paid with precanceled stamps 4. Matter bearing a company permit imprint 5. Priority Mail 6. Periodicals in envelopes or wrappers 7. Package Services (except unendorsed Bound Printed Matter) 8. Registered Mail 9. Insured Mail 10. Collect on Delivery (COD) Mail 11. Certified Mail if a return receipt is requested 12. Express Mail if a return receipt is requested. The return address on the Express Mail label meets this standard

21. Addressing Tips on Addressing  Always put the address and the postage on the same side of your mailpiece.  On a letter, the address should be parallel to the longest side.  All capital letters.  No punctuation.  At least 10-point type.

22. Addressing Tips on Addressing  One space between city and state.  Two spaces between state and ZIP Code.  Simple type fonts.  Left justified.

23. Addressing Tips on Addressing  Black ink on white or light paper.  No reverse type (white printing on a black background).  If your address appears inside a window, make sure there is at least 1/8-inch clearance around the address. Sometimes parts of the address slip out of view behind the window and mail processing machines can’t read the address.  If you are using address labels, make sure you don’t cut off any important information. Also make sure your labels are on straight. Mail processing machines have trouble reading crooked or slanted information.

24. Addressing  Automated mail processing machines read addresses on mailpieces from the bottom up and will first look for a city, state, and ZIP Code.  Then the machines look for a delivery address. If the machines can’t find either line, then your mailpiece could be delayed or misrouted.  Any information below the delivery address line (a logo, a slogan, or an attention line) could confuse the machines and misdirect your mail.

25. Addressing Window envelopes must have 1/8” clearance between the address printing and any window edge throughout maximum insert shift. 1735 N LYNN ST ARLINGTON VA 22209-6030 National Postal Forum 810 Mount Vernon Pl NW Washington DC 20001-3614 1/8” Min. 1/25” Min. 1/8” Min. Logos should be placed above address line.

26. Addressing Tap Test 2 taps on bottom Then 2 taps. on each end How is the Tap Test Performed? 2 Taps on the bottom, then 2 taps on each end

27. Addressing Tabbing Requirements FOLDED SELF-MAILER FOLDED SELF-MAILER FOLDED SELF-MAILER Tabs 1 Needed Folded Edge Bottom Sheets Multiple Basis Weight 24 lbs. Tabs 2 Needed Folded Edge Top or Bottom Sheets Single Basis Weight 20 lbs. Tabs 1 Needed Folded Edge Bottom Sheets Single Basis Weight 28 lbs. BOOKLET DOUBLE POSTCARD Tabs 2 Needed Spine Bottom Sheets Multiple with cover Basis Weight 20 lbs. (Cover) Tabs 1 Needed Folded Edge Prefer Bottom, Top Acceptable Sheets Single Basis Weight 75 lbs.

28. Mail Preparation  Annual Fee - $175.00  200 pieces (or 50 lbs) minimum  Printed material or merchandise < 1 lb  Deposited at designated entry point  Sorted into bundles, trays and/or sacks  Postage paid on all pieces ADRESS LABEL LEAVE THIS AREA CLEAR FOR BARCODING “ SomeWhere Repertory TheatrePO BOX 1111 4-3/4” 5/8” 1/2” BUD, THIS IS APPROX WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT... LINE IN MIDDLE TELLS OCR NOT TO LOOK AT LEFT SIDE OF POSTCARD FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BAR CODE CLEAR ZONE AND PLACEMENT OF ADDRESS LABEL ALLOW US TO WORK THIS MAIL PIECE ON OUR AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. GOOD LUCK. ADRESS LABEL LEAVE THIS AREA CLEAR FOR BARCODING “ SomeWhere Repertory Theatre PO BOX 1111 SOME WHERE AR 72203-1111 4-3/4” 5/8” 1/2” BUD, THIS IS APPROX WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT... LINE IN MIDDLE TELLS OCR NOT TO LOOK AT LEFT SIDE OF POSTCARD FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BAR CODE CLEAR ZONE AND PLACEMENT OF ADDRESS LABEL ALLOW US TO WORK THIS MAIL PIECE ON OUR AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. GOOD LUCK. ADRESS LABEL LEAVE THIS AREA CLEAR FOR BARCODING “ SomeWhere Repertory Theatre PO BOX 1111 SOME WHERE AR 72203-1111 4-3/4” 5/8” 1/2” BUD, THIS IS APPROX WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT... LINE IN MIDDLE TELLS OCR NOT TO LOOK AT LEFT SIDE OF POSTCARD FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BAR CODE CLEAR ZONE AND PLACEMENT OF ADDRESS LABEL ALLOW US TO WORK THIS MAIL PIECE ON OUR AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. GOOD LUCK. US POSTAGE PAID PMT #XXX SOME WHERE AR OR STAMP ADRESS LABEL LEAVE THIS AREA CLEAR FOR BARCODING “ SomeWhere Repertory Theatre PO BOX 1111 SOME WHERE AR 72203-1111 4-3/4” 5/8” 1/2” BUD, THIS IS APPROX WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT... LINE IN MIDDLE TELLS OCR NOT TO LOOK AT LEFT SIDE OF POSTCARD FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BAR CODE CLEAR ZONE AND PLACEMENT OF ADDRESS LABEL ALLOW US TO WORK THIS MAIL PIECE ON OUR AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. GOOD LUCK. US POSTAGE PAID PMT #XXX SOME WHERE AR OR STAMP ADRESS LABEL “ VIEWS OF EGYPT...” SPIRIDON SCARVELLI ETC SomeWhere Repertory Theatre PO BOX 1111 SOME WHERE AR 72203-1111 4-3/4” 5/8” 1/2” BUD, THIS IS APPROX WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING AT... LINE IN MIDDLE TELLS OCR NOT TO LOOK AT LEFT SIDE OF POSTCARD FOR ADDRESS INFORMATION. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BAR CODE CLEAR ZONE AND PLACEMENT OF ADDRESS LABEL ALLOW US TO WORK THIS MAIL PIECE ON OUR AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT. SRT rep

29. Mail Preparation  Mailers who elect to presort their mailings must pay postage by: 1. Permit Imprint, 2. Postage Meter 3. Precanceled Stamps  An annual mailing fee must be paid once each 12-month period at each post office of mailing.  The fee may be paid in advance only for the next 12 months and only during the last 60 days of the current serviced period. The fee charged is that which is in effect on the date of payment.  ***A mailer paying this fee may enter clients’ mail as well as the mailer’s own mail.***  Presorted mail 1. Cannot be deposited in collection boxes, mail boxes, or other mail receptacles 2. Cannot be given to a letter carrier 3. Must be brought to a business mail entry (BMEU), a detached mail unit (DMU), or to a designated post office where it is accepted and verified by postal employees.

30. Mail Preparation Payment Methods NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 1 Permit Precanceled Stamp Meter NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 3 BULK RATE PRSRT STD 0.23 5 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON O.16 9 PRSRT STD 3 Options 5¢ 10¢

31. Mail Preparation- Machinable Mailing 3-DIGIT/ORIGIN AADC MIXED AADC (Optional) (Required) (Required) Rate : AADC (1)Rate : AADC Rate :MXD ADC (1) AADC Rate for Any 3-Digit/Origin Tray for the Origin SCF Containing Fewer Than 150 Pieces. * 3 digit origin trays required for FCM and optional for STD mail. Postcard-Size Pieces Always Banded; Other Pieces Banded Only If Placed in Less-Than-Full Tray or Overflow Trays. SPRINGFIELD MA 010 STD LTRS 3D MACH MILWAUKEE WI AADC SPRINGFIELD 010 STD LTRS AADC MACH MILWAUKEE WI MXD MILWAUKEE WI 530 STD LTRS MACH WKG MILWAUKEE WI Rate.113 Rate.164 Rate.204 Rate.255 NP STD

32. Mail Preparation Machinable Tray Label n Barcoded Tray Label LINE 1 (Destination LINE 2 (Content) Label Barcode Numeric Human- Readable of Barcode LINE 3 (Origin) PITTSFIELD MA 012 STD LTR 3D MACH MILWAUKEE WI 0120155401 STD LTR 3D MACH STD LTR AADC MACH STD LTR MACH WKG Machinable

33. Mail Preparation- Nonmachinable Letter More money and more work. 5-DIGIT 3-DIGIT ADC MIXED ADC (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) Rate : 5DRate : 3 digit /ADC Rate : ADC Rate: MXD ADC Rate.369 Rate.278Rate.307Rate.429 Rate.286 Rate.195 Rate.398Rate.520 5 3 A X ADC MILWAUKEE WI 530 STD LTRS ADC MAN MILWAUKEE WI MILWAUKEE WI 530 STD LTRS 3D MAN MILWAUKEE WI WEST BEND WI 53095 STD LTRS 5D MAN MILWAUKEE WI MXD MILWAUKEE WI 530 STD LTRS MAN WKG MILWAUKEE WI NP STD

34. Mail Preparation- Nonmachinable Mailing Nonmachinable Tray Label MILWAUKEE WI 530 STD LTR 3D MANUAL MILWAUKEE WI 5300155407 LINE 1 (Destination LINE 2 (Content) Label Barcode Numeric Human- Readable Barcode LINE 3 (Origin) STD LTR 5D MANUAL STD LTR ADC MANUAL STD LTR MANUAL WKG

35. Mail Preparation- Presorted Flats 5-DIGIT 3-DIGIT ADC MIXED ADC (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) Rate : 5 digit Rate : 3 digit Rate : ADC Rate: MXD ADC PHILADELPHIA PA 19118 STD FLTS 5D NON BC TOPEKA KS PHILADELPHIA PA 191 STD FLTS 3D NON BC TOPEKA KS ADC PHILADELPHIA PA 190 STD FLTS ADC NON BC TOPEKA KS MXD KANSAS CITY KS 66340 STD FLTS NON BC WKG TOPEKA KS 53 A X Rate.195Rate.259Rate.293Rate.389 Rate.321Rate.385Rate.419Rate.515 NP STD

36. Helpful Information  WWW.USPS.COM/PRICES WWW.USPS.COM/PRICES  http://pe.usps.com http://pe.usps.com  http://ribbs.usps.gov http://ribbs.usps.gov  1-800-ASK-USPS

37. Basic Bulk Mail Preparation and Mailpiece Design Questions?