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In order to properly mail a printed piece through our mail house the United States Postal Service requires the mailing side to be set up in a certain specifications. If your mailing piece does not meet these specifications, additional postage charges may apply. We can review your files BY REQUEST if you are unsure if you meet the POST OFFICE mailing specifications.
Preparing mail according to Postal Service Guidelines allows your mail to be delivered as quickly and affordably as possible.
Postcard Template For Postal Mailing
The most important rules in regards to a postal mailing is that there is a 3.75"x2.125" blank space from the bottom right hand corner. No information should be included in this side of the piece. Any logos, graphics, or screens will cause the mailer to be kicked back and additional postage charges will apply. Also, it is recommended to leave 5/8" of an inch from the bottom for routing information. If your job has information in that area, there is a good chance that the postal office will cover it up with a label to help it go through the system.
Larger postcards will follow the same guidelines.
- 3.75"x2.125" of blank space from the bottom right hand corner.
- 5/8" of blank space across the bottom of the card.
Classes of Mail
First Class 4x6 Postcard:
4x6 postcards are mailed first class by default. Because of the size and easy sorting the United States Postal Service offers lower rate than regular mail. It is usually delivered between 1-4 business days nationally.
If the address is incorrect, or the addressee has moved - return service is included in a first class mailing. The largest size to take advantage of the first class postage discount is 4.25"x6"
The bulk mail rate for 4"x6" mailers is 21.2 cents. If you were to mail the piece yourself, and apply postage purchased from the post office, the rate is .23 cents. By using our mailing services you save over 2 cents per piece!
First Class Mail(Letters & Postcards larger than 4"x6"
5"x6", 6"x9", and 6"x11" postcards, newsletters and brochures can be sent using First Class Mail. The per piece cost to mail is 35.2 cents. This service is the fastest offered within discount mail. Each piece can weigh up to 1 ounce and $0.23 is charged for each additional ounce.
Again, the delivery for any first class mailers is 1-4 days and return service if the address is incorrect is included in a first class mailing.
Standard Mail (Presort)
Standard Mail usually takes 2-9 days to reach customers. A minimum of 200 pieces must be mailed and pieces can weigh up to 3.5 ounces. This is the most cost effective way to mail a piece, and postage is normally 26.8 cents per piece. Return service is not included in Standard Rate mailings.
Other Mailing Information
CASS Certification
Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) adds Zip+4 codes to your mailing list wherever possible. We also add postal barcodes to your mail pieces and remove duplicates or non-deliverable addresses. This service is standard for all of our mailings assuring that your mailing list is properly sorted before it is mailed.
Addressing
The only text allowed in the address space is the mailing stamp or indicia and the recipient’s address. USPS automation does not read graphics, screens or other designs.
Need a mailing quote?
Need a mailing quote? Please login to your account, or fill out this mailing quote form.
Steps For A Proper Mailing
1) Design your postcard, brochure or newsletter, making sure that it follows postal guidelines and has the appropriate indicia (bulk mail permit box) by downloading one of our templates.
2) Place your order online as usual on our website.
3) When you choose a shipping method, check the box that says "Move to mailing dept."
Also, in customer comments please be sure to say, "This job is being mailed."
4) Upload your approved design.
5) Our system will email you an invoice. Reply to the invoice and attatch your mailing list.
6) A mailing specialist will contact you about the priority(first class or standard), and let you know the postage totals for the mailing. An invoice will be e-mailed to you.
7) We will send you a sample of your printed piece for approval for mailing. If you want us to overnight the sample, we will charge a $20 for overnight shipping.
8) Return a signed copy of the printed sample along with a check made out to our company for postage and mailing services.
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