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Mailpiece Design

Mailpiece Design. Rose Flanagan Director of Mailing Services Transcontinental Direct. If you can make it fit into a standard off the shelf automation #10 envelope then you’re just fine. If not . . . . Physical Characteristics – Letter Size Mail. Thickness: .009” min. - .25” max.

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Mailpiece Design

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  1. Mailpiece Design Rose Flanagan Director of Mailing Services Transcontinental Direct

  2. If you can make it fit into a standard off the shelf automation #10 envelope then you’re just fine. If not . . . .

  3. Physical Characteristics–Letter Size Mail Thickness: .009” min. - .25” max. Postcards 7 point 6 1/8" max. Maximum letter weight 3.3 ounces (3.5 for automation rate pieces) Pieces over 3.0 ounces must be in an envelope 3 1/2" min. 5" min. 11 1/2" max.

  4. Aspect Ratio – Letter Mail Length Divided by Height = 1.3 to 2.5 Side parallel with the address is the length. Meets Aspect Ratio 4" 4" Outside Aspect Ratio 5" 6" 5 / 4 = 1.25 6 / 4 = 1.5 Standard Mail pieces out of Aspect Ratio pay non-machinable rates up to 3.3 ounces. Over 3.3 pay Not-Flat Machinable rates.

  5. Physical Characteristics -Machinable Letter Size Mail • Flexibility - must be able to bend easily • Uniform thickness - No odd shaped items • No shrink-wrap, polywrap, and other plastic-like coverings • Envelopes must have straight edges, rectangular in shape • Card type mail pieces may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125 inch • Not more than 3.3 ounces (3.5 if automated) • Pieces over 3.0 ounces must be in an envelope • ECRLOT letters must meet automation requirements

  6. Letter Size Tab Automation Requirement One Tab- fold at the bottom - Single sheet- 28 lb basis weight paper - Multiple sheets- 24 lb basis weight paper Folded Self Mailer tabs must start within 1 inch from right and left side- tabs on side also an option • Two Tabs- fold at the top or bottom • Single or multiple sheets- 20 lb basis weight • Over 7 inches Folded Self Mailer NOTE: The USPS is currently testing self mailers, oversized postcards and slim jims for automation compatibility

  7. Tabbing Booklets Booklet Style- multiple sheets with a spine or bound fold Tab on top 1” from left and right edge Or tab left and right sides 1” from top Two Tabs- top or side Bound edge on bottom Front & back cover- minimum basis weight 20 lb Or tab left and right sides 1” from top NOTE: The USPS is currently testing self mailers, oversized postcards and slim jims for automation compatibility

  8. Proposed Letter Size Address Requirements • Minimum 8-point font • Lines & characters in the address must not touch or overlap • Each element on the address line may be separated by no more than 3 blank spaces • USPS proposal published in October 10 Federal Register. Comments were closed on December 10, 2007. Final rules not published.

  9. Physical Characteristics – Automation Flat Size Mail 3/4” thick max. 12 “ max. Height 5” min. 6” min. 15” max. Length

  10. Physical Characteristics –Flat Size Mail • More than 11-1/2 inches long, or more than 6-1/8 inches high, or more than 1/4 inch thick • Not more than 15 inches long, or more than 12 inches high, or more than 3/4 inch thick • Length defined as the longest dimension. Height defined as the dimension perpendicular to the length. • Automation Flats: • Minimum size 5” x 6” • Maximum size 12” x 15” (including Car-Rt) • Maximum thickness 3/4” • Rectangular • Uniform thickness – no more than 1/4” variance • Non-paper contents smaller than the outside package may not shift more than 2” if shifting results in non-uniform thickness or contents bursting out of envelope • Must be flexible • Boxes and box-like pieces are not flats

  11. Flexibility Characteristics –Machinable Flat Size Mail • How to test your flat piece for Machinability (DMM 301.1.4): • Place the piece with the length parallel to the edge of a flat surface & extend the piece halfway off the surface. • Press down on the piece at a point 1” from the outer edge, in the center of the piece’s length, exerting “steady” pressure. • The piece is not flexible if it cannot bend at least 1” vertically without being damaged. • The piece is flexible if it can bend at least 1” vertically without being damaged and it does not contain a rigid insert. No further testing is necessary. • Continue testing if it can bend at least 1” vertically without being damaged and it contains a rigid insert.

  12. Maximum Deflection for Automation – Flat Size Mail • For pieces 10” or longer: • Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface and extend the piece 5” off the surface. Turn the piece around and repeat the process. • The piece is automation-compatible if it does not droop more than 4” vertically. • For pieces less than 10” long: • Place the piece with the length perpendicular to the edge of a flat surface and extend the piece 1/2 of its length off the surface. Turn the piece around and repeat the process. • The piece is automation-compatible if it does not droop more than 1” less than the extended length. (example 8” piece extended 4” off cannot droop more than 3”) • For pieces with bound or folded edges perform the tests by placing the bound or final folded edge perpendicular to the edge of the flat surface.

  13. Physical Characteristics– NFM (Not-Flat Machinable) • Rigid pieces: • At least 4” high but not more than 12” high • At least 4” long but not more than 15 3/4” long • At least .009 thick but not more than 1 1/4” thick • Pieces less than 5” long must be over 1/4” thick • Flexible pieces at least 4” high but not more than 12” high if: • Over 15” long but not more than 15 ¾” long • Over 3/4” thick but not more than 1/4” thick • UFSM 1000 (over 3/4” thick, or over 15” length or under 5” x 6”) • Non-Machinable letters weighing over 3.3 ounces • Must be barcoded (unless in 5 digit containers) or pay an $0.05 surcharge • Postnet or Code 128 if less than 6 oz; Code 128 if more than 6 oz

  14. Flats Sequencing SystemFSS

  15. Dulles FSS Installed & Running Test Decks

  16. Dulles FSS Installed & Running Test Decks

  17. Flats Proposed Address Position

  18. Flats Proposed Address Placement • Standardized Address Placement for Flats published in the Federal Register October 10, 2007 • All flat mail must be output from the flats sequencing machine with the bound edges aligned (unless enveloped or polybagged). • Address orientation must be right reading in relation to the top edge • Top edge: • Enveloped or Polywrapped pieces is defined at either of the shorter edges • Bound or folded pieces it is the upper edge when the bound or final folded edge is vertical and on the right • Addresses must be a minimum of 8 point type; additionally lines or characters must not touch or overlap • Address elements may be separated by no more than 3 blank spaces • Automation rated mail must contain 11-digit barcode • Comments closed December 10, 2007. Final rules not published.

  19. Parcels • Mailpieces that are neither letters or flats • 3 processing categories • Machinable • Irregular • Outside

  20. Machinable Parcels

  21. Machinable Parcels • Not less than 6 inches long, 3 inches high, 1/4 inch thick, and 6 ounces in weight, unless qualifying for a Lightweight Parcel • Not more than 34 inches long, or 17 inches high, or 17 inches thick, or 35 pounds in weight. For books or other printed matter, the maximum weight is 25 pounds

  22. Lightweight Parcels • A machinable parcel may weigh less than 6 ounces (but not less than 3.5 ounces) if it meets all of the following conditions: • The mailpiece is rectangular and able to maintain its integrity during mail processing • The mailpiece bears a parcel barcode according to spec • Mailpieces weighing at least 3.5 ounces but less than 5 ounces must be a paperboard or fiberboard box within the following dimensions: • At least 1.5 inches thick and no more than 3 inches thick. • At least 6 inches long and no more than 7 inches long. • At least 3.5 inches high and no more than 5 inches high. • Mailpieces weighing at least 5 ounces but less than 6 ounces must be within the following dimensions: • More than 3/4 inch thick and no more than 6 inches thick. • At least 6 inches long and no more than 12 inches long. • At least 3-1/2 inches high and no more than 9 inches high.

  23. Irregular & Outside Parcels • Irregular (ref DMM 401.1.6) • Rolls & tubes up to 26” long • Parcels not meeting machinable parcel specifications • Outside (ref DMM 401.1.7) • Exceeds any of the maximum dimensions for a machinable parcel • Examples include liquids; paints; rolls & tubes longer than 26”; harmful matter, etc.

  24. Return Address • Required on all mail pieces with stamp or company permit imprints • Required on the delivery address side of a mailpiece when using ancillary services (i.e. Address Change Service, etc.)

  25. QUESTIONS?

  26. Thank You

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