1. Standard Mail
( Have this slide showing as people arrive.) 1

2. STANDARD MAIL PROCESSING CATEGORIES
The size of your mailpiece determines the rates available to you.
Letters
Flats
Machinable Parcels
Irregular Parcels 9 2

3. STANDARD MAIL
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 postal inspection. It may not include:
Mail of a personal nature
Bills or invoices
Statements of account
Handwritten or typewritten matter
Keys or identification devices 1 3

4. Application Fee $ 180.00 (Permit Imprint) Annual Bulk Fee $ 180.00
STANDARD MAIL
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Application Fee $ (Permit Imprint)
Annual Bulk Fee $
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 2 4

5. Postage Payment Methods
STANDARD MAIL
Postage Payment Methods
Permit Imprint
Precanceled
Stamp
Meter
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
BALTIMORE MD
PERMIT NO. 3
PRSRT STD
PRSRT STD
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BALTIMORE MD
PERMIT NO. 1
NONPROFIT ORG 6 6 3 5 15

6. Standard Mail Permit Imprint
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
COLUMBIA MD
PERMIT NO. 3
$ additional one-time nonrefundable fee ( PS 3615)
$ 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 4 6

7. COMPANY PERMIT IMPRINT OPTION
PRESORTED STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
JOHN DOE COMPANY
NONPROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
AMER RED CROSS
The name of the company in the indicia must possess the permit.
The permit holder must retain records of mailing for one year.
Mail piece must bear a domestic return address. 5 7

8. STANDARD MAIL No Application fee Annual Bulk Fee required
Pre-canceled Stamps
PRSRT STD
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 6 8

9. STANDARD MAIL No Application fee Meter license
Postage Meter
189
PRSRT STD
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 7 9

10. 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. 2 10

11. BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED
MACHINABILITY STANDARDS
BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED
Multiple Sheets
Two Tabs
Fold Spine on bottom
Paper weight 20 lb
POSTAL BUSINESS CENTER
2035 HURLEY WAY STE 200
SACRAMENTO CA
There are many tabbing options available, depending on thickness and folding method.
Refer to the Publication 25-Designing Letter Mail for illustrated examples.
Letter-size pieces with an open edge (folded self-mailers, booklets, double postcards, etc.) must be tabbed to avoid jamming during high speed transport on automated sorting equipment.
Do not use staples.
Tabs, wafer seals, tape or glue may be used to seal the mail. 15

12. Flat Size height Standard Mail 12” Length: 11-1/2 to 15 inches
Height: /8 to 12 inches
Thickness: to .75 inch
Weight: less than 16 ounces
Flats mailed at automation rates have slightly different size restrictions.
height
Length
15” 13 17

13. Final Fold or Bound Edge Forward
No tabbing requirements
pc mag
JOURNAL NEWS DAILY
Each piece should be designed so the address is visable when the bound edge is held in your right hand. The bound edge is the leading edge as it enters the FSM for processing. It does not matter if the address appears on the front or back cover of the mailpiece. There are no tabbing requirements for Flat-sized mail. 5 22

14. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Polywrap, Polybag, Shrinkwrap
Some films are acceptable
JOEL SCHROEDER
US POSTAL SERVICE
500 W CHESTNUT EXPY RM 140
SPRINGFIELD MO
FSM 881
New procedures for Polywrap have been introduced. Once approved, the mailer must submit a copy of the polywrap certification at the time of the mailing. Requirements differ based on the design of the mail. To be sure, contact your local Mailpiece Design Analyst.
FSM 1000
Polywrap is acceptable. Only haze requirements must be meet when the polywrap covers the address label is . 7 24

15. Nonautomation Letters
P R E P A R A T I O N 24 5

16. 5 3 A Labeling packages X Presorting a Mailing
All pieces for the same 5-digit Zip code ( also called “direct”) 3
All pieces for the same first three digits of
a Zip Code A
All pieces for the same area distribution center Label List L004 X
Mixed ADC pieces for two or more area
distribution centers 32 14

17. Information Line Formats
Optional Endorsement
Line
************* 5 DIGIT 22030
Jonathan R. Marburger
3815 CHAIN BRIDGE RD
FAIRFAX VA 34 16

18. Nonautomation Letters
Packaging
5-digit
3-digit
ADC
Mixed-ADC 10 A
10+
10+ 5 X 3
10+
Any remaining pieces must be put into mixed-ADC package(s)
Place tan label MS in lower left corner of top piece of package 38 20

19. Nonautomation Letters
Traying - 3/5 Rate
5-digit
3-digit
Prepare full trays for the same 5-digit ZIP Code
Packaging is optional for full 5-digit trays
10+ 5 3
10+
Full
5-digit 40 22

20. Nonautomation Letters
Traying - 3/5 Rate
5-digit
3-digit
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
10+ 5 3
10+
Full
3/5 rate
5-digit
3-digit 41 23

21. Nonautomation Letters
Traying - Basic Rate
5-digit
3-digit
ADC
Prepare full trays with packages to the same ADC
Consult Labeling List L004 to match ZIPs with correct ADC
10+ 5 3
10+ A
10+
Basic rate
Full
ADC 43 25

22. Nonautomation Letters
Traying - Basic Rate
5-digit
3-digit
ADC
Mixed-ADC X 3
10+ A
10+
10+ 5
Place any remaining packages in mixed-ADC tray(s)
Tray need not be full
Basic rate
Mixed-ADC 44 26

23. Nonautomation Letters
Tray Labeling
Tray label for 5-digit tray
Line 1, use city, state, ZIP Code of destination
WASHINGTON DC
STD LTRS 5D NON BC
WASHINGTON DC
Destination
Contents
Origin 46 28

24. 1.3 - 2.5 MACHINABILITY STANDARDS Length Divided by Height =
Aspect Ratio
Length Divided by Height =
5"
Unacceptable 5
4 = 1.25
4"
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio for letter-size mail provides a measurement tool to determine proper length to height ratio.
Dividing the length by the height should yield a quotient between 1.3 and 2.5 .
Acceptable
4" 6
4 = 1.5
6"

25. MACHINABILITY STANDARDS
Polywrap, Polybag, Shrink-wrap
Don’t even think about it!
0.32
Bill Russell
3447 Harbor Dr.
Westridge, MA 23435
AMY JONES
4532 WEST DRIVE
SAN ANTONIO TX
Polywrap, Polybag, and Shrink-wrap are prohibited for use on automated letter mailings.

26. BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED
MACHINABILITY STANDARDS
BOOKLETS AND FOLDED SELF- MAILERS MUST BE TABBED
Multiple Sheets
Two Tabs
Fold Spine on bottom
Paper weight 20 lb
POSTAL BUSINESS CENTER
2035 HURLEY WAY STE 200
SACRAMENTO CA
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.
Letter-size pieces with an open edge (folded self-mailers, booklets, double postcards, etc.) must be tabbed to avoid jamming during high speed transport on automated sorting equipment.
Do not use staples.
Tabs, wafer seals, tape or glue may be used to seal the mail.

27. READABILITY STANDARDS
Barcode Clear Zone
Barcode Clear Zone
Barcode Clear Zone
5/8”
4 3/4”
The Barcode Clear Zone is a rectangular area in the lower right corner of the mailpiece.
Regardless of the size of the mailpiece, the barcode clear zone maintains its size, 4 3/4” by 5/8”, which is always measured from the bottom right edge of mailpiece.
This is the area where the Postal Service will spray the barcode, therefore keep this area clear of any print, background colors, patterns, etc.
Barcode Clear Zone
Barcode Clear Zone

28. Nonautomation Letters
Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE
Tray label for 5-digit tray
Line 1, use city, state, ZIP Code of destination
WASHINGTON DC
STD LTRS 5D MACH
WASH DC
Destination
Contents
Origin 61 47

29. Nonautomation Letters
Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE
Tray label for 3-digit tray
Line 1, use Labeling List L002, Column A, for destination facility
LAKELAND FL
STD LTRS 3D MACH
WASH DC
Destination
Contents
Origin 62 48

30. Nonautomation Letters
Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE
Tray label for AADC tray
Line 1, use Labeling List L801 for destination facility
AADC WASHINGTON DC 200
STD LTRS AADC MACH
WASH DC
Destination
Contents
Origin 63 49

31. Nonautomation Letters
Tray Labeling - MACHINABLE
Tray label for mixed-AADC tray
Line 1, use Labeling List L803
MXD WASHINGTON DC 200
STD LTRS MACH WKG
WASH DC
Destination
Contents
Origin 64 50

32. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Local Postal Personnel
Mailpiece Design Analyst Business Mail Entry
(410) (410)
Reviews layouts before printing, Explains Postal requirements
provides free Reply Mail artwork, concerning rates, mail sortation
free design publications & templates. & preparation.
National Contact
National Customer Support Center
(800)
Postal services available for your address data base. Lists of certified
CASS & PAVE software. NCOA, ACS, Move Update Information. Free
Postal publications.
As the local Mailpiece Design Analyst, my basic function is to assist customers in designing their mail so that it can be processed on the automated equipment. I am located in Shreveport at 2400 Texas Ave. You can reach me by calling
If you have questions about postage rates, mailing regulations, mail sortation or tray preparation, then you may contact the Mailing Requirements Clerk at
An excellent source of help is our National Customer Support Center in Memphis TN. They can be reached at The most important thing that you can do to improve the delivery of your mail, is to have an accurate address database. Every piece of mail that you send out with an undeliverable address will cost you money in wasted postage. There are many address improvement services offered through the National Customer Support Center. You may also request a list of software manufacturers that have been CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) or PAVE (Presort Accuracy Validation & Evaluation) certified by the Post Office. (PRESENTER: EXPLAIN WHAT EACH SOFTWARE DOES, INCLUDING THAT A NEW CASS CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED EVERY 6 MONTHS TO CLAIM AUTOMATED RATES.)
The National Customer Support Center can also give you a list of NCOA (National Change of Address) licensed vendors. These vendors can update your address files by giving you the new address for your customers that have moved and filed a “Change of Address” with the Postal Service. This process meets the Move Update requirements for FCM Presorted and FCM Automated rates. This must be performed every 6 months. You may also meet the Move Update requirements by printing an Ancillary Endorsement directly on the mailpiece (we will go over the endorsements later in the presentation).
As you can see, the National Customer Support Center can provide you with all the initial information that you’ll need to set up your own mail preparation system. You may also request many free publications that are printed by the US Postal Service. 31

33. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
UNITED STATES
POSTAL SERVICE
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
US Postal Service Web site
Latest information, Postal Bulletin, vendors list, ZIP+4 lookup,
forms and publications available for downloading, lots of stuff!
Free Subscription
Mailers Companion
Address Quality
US Postal Service
6060 Primacy Pkwy Ste 201
Memphis TN
If you have access to the Internet, please check out our Postal Web site at You will find a postage rate calculator, ZIP code lookup and many free publications on-line.
I also recommend that you write to the Mailers Companion for a free subscription. It is distributed once a month and it will keep you informed on any new regulations that are going into effect. It explains Postal issues in a very simple, easy to understand manner. 32

34. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 21 54 69