Faculty/Staff 
Designing a Mail Piece Business Reply Mail | Barcoded Mail | Flats
Letters
An effective mailing starts with a properly designed mail piece. Our services are designed to take advantage of postal savings by ensuring a mailing is “automation compatible” for the US Postal Service. This status reduces processing time for the postal service and results in lower mailing rates.
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| LETTER SIZE STANDARD DIMENSIONS | LETTERS | POSTCARDS |
| Minimum Size Maximum Size Minimum Thickness Maximum Thickness |
3 1/2" x 5" 6 1/8" x 11 1/2" 0.007" 1/4" |
3 1/2" x 5" 4 1/4" x 6" 0.007" 0.0095" |
| * Post cards over either the length or height maximum dimensions, require .009 thickness. | ||
Setting Up a Self-Mailer
Self Mailers are often used for standard bulk mail or first class mailings, eliminating the need for an outside envelope. The following are guidelines which adhere to the USPS standards for self mailers suggesting paper weight and folds. Folded Self-Mailers: A folded self-mailer must be prepared with the folded edge parallel to the longest dimension AND the address of the mail piece. The mailing panel must consist of only the address, return address and the indicia (permit). Avoid lines and artwork that may interfere with the USPS automated mailing machines. *See barcode clear space zone in Information Placement. Only tabbed self mailers are eligible for standard/bulk mail rates. Tabs prevent an open edge from jamming high-speed equipment; folded self-mailers must be secured (tabbed) for automation rates. |
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8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14" Half Fold 28# / 70# Paper |
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8.5" x 11" Letter Fold 24# / 60# Paper Multiple Sheets 32# / 70# Paper Single Sheets |
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8.5" x 14" Double Parallel Fold 32# / 70# Paper |
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11" x 17" Double Fold 24# / 60# Paper |
We can assist you in designing Business Reply postcards to meet Post Office requirements.
Please do NOT attempt to create your own Business Reply piece. There are numerous technical requirements.
Information Placement
Bar-coding is available on a variety of mail pieces including envelopes, postcards, and newsletters.
Flat-size mail generally consists of catalogs, large envelopes, large cards, newsletters, magazines and newspapers that exceed one or more of the dimensions for letter-size mail.
Flat Standard Dimensions
One dimension must meet dimension requirements
Length: 11-1/2 to 15 inches
Height: 6-1/8 to 12 inches
Thickness: .009 to 3/4 inches
Weight: less than 16 ounces
Setting Up a Flat Mail Piece
Mailers must place the delivery address in the “top half” of the mailpiece. The top is the upper edge when the bound edge (or the final fold) is vertical and on the right side of the piece.
Once the top edge is chosen, measure halfway down the piece, and that is the top half. Your address must be entirely within the top half. The address mail may be placed on the front or the back of the mailpiece. The address may be parallel or perpendicular to the top edge, but not upside-down as read in relation to the top edge. A perpendicular address can face to the left or the right. Mailers should place the address as close to the top edge as possible (while still maintaining a 1/8 inch clearance from the edge).
The postage must appear to right or upper right, and the return address must appear to the upper left of the delivery address.
