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Addressing
Business Reply Mail
Courtesy Reply Mail
Folded Self-Mailers
Form 3602
International Mail
Mailer Shape
Mailer Sizes
Nonstandard Mail
Postage Classes
Postcard Design/Addressing
First class mail: up to one ounce at lowest postage rate, up to 13 ounces
Standard mail: up to 3.3067 ounces (between 3.0 and 3.3071 ounces must be envelopes) at lowest postage rate, up to 16 ounces
- 2.5 ounce limit for zip+4 coded mail, 3 ounce limit for zip+4 barcoded mail
- Use when mailing at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail at a time
A. Postcards
- 3 ½"high x 5" long to 4 ¼" to 6'" (to qualify for the first class "postcard rate")
- Minimum 75 pound (7 pt) card stock, .007 inch thick
- Maximum card stock .0095"
B. Letter size
- 3 ½" high x 5 " long, up to 6 1/8" high x 11 ½" long (to qualify for the "letter rate")
- .007 inch thick to ¼" thick
- .009 inch thick if piece exceeds 4 ¼" high x 6" long, cards larger than 4 ¼" x 6" should use minimum 80 pound stock
- Envelopes should use a minimum of 16 pound paper stock
C. Flats
- up to 12" high x 15" long (minimum 6" high and 6" long)
- .007 inch thick up to ¾" thick
- Envelopes should use a minimum of 16 pound paper stock
Mailers should be rectangular (address runs parallel to longest side)
Length divided by height must equal 1.3 to 2.5 (otherwise $.12 per piece surcharge)
Pieces weighing one ounce or less, and exceeding any of these:
- Height exceeds 6 1/8"
- Length exceeds 11 ½"
- Thickness exceeds ¼"
- Length divided by height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5
- Minimum 5 ½" long
- Put postal code on same line with city
- Put name of country in capital letters as last line of address
- Single folded sheet sealed with one tab, 28 pound (or 70 pound) minimum stock
- Two or more sheets sealed with one tab, 24 pound ( or 60 pound) minimum stock
- Single or multiple sheets sealed with two tabs, 20 pound minimum stock
Fold at bottom of piece (address side), tab (or tabs) at top of piece
Address to run along length (longest side) of piece, oriented horizontally
- Length is the dimension parallel to the lines of the address. The top and bottom of the piece are also parallel to the address.
Bottom line of address to only contain zip code - postal machines read from the bottom up, looking first for a zip code. Don't put any promotional numbers below the street address line of your address.
Right side must be at least 2 1/8" wide (from right edge).
Non-delivery address information may appear on the right side above the delivery address, when it has a shaded background or is surrounded by a border.
Prepaid postage on envelopes or cards.
To use Business Reply Mail, you must obtain a permit from the US Postal Service and pay permit fees, or you may use the BRM permit number of your mailing house.
The USPS will provide art upon request for Business Reply Envelopes and Cards. Be sure you have the USPS approve your artwork before printing BRM pieces.
BRM Plan 1: Annual Permit Fee $100
- Cost per piece returned = First class postage + $.30 per piece returned
BRM Plan 2: Annual Permit Fee $100 + Annual Accounting Fee $300 (advance deposit account required for return postage)
- Cost per piece returned = First class postage + $.08 per piece returned
BRM Plan 3: Qualified BRM (Annual Permit Fee $100 + Annual Accounting Fee $300 + 25 pieces approved by USPS)
- Cost per piece returned = First class postage + $.05 per piece returned
You provide a pre-addressed envelope, but postage is not prepaid.
Courtesy Reply Envelopes require a FIM and preprinted barcode. The USPS can also provide artwork for your Courtesy Reply Mail envelopes.
ALWAYS request a copy of Form 3602 from any mailing. Form 3602 confirms exactly how many pieces were delivered to the USPS.
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