The USPS manual is over 2 inches thick and covers every postal regulation. This can be intimidating and costly if not followed accurately. This is a simplified guide to help you design your mailer.

To keep things simple lets say there are three sizes.

• Small  (Card Rate)  (6 wide by 4 high)
• Medium  (Letter Size) (7 wide x 5 high) or (8 wide x 6 high) or (11 wide x 6 high)
• Large  (Flat Size) (8.5 wide x 11 high)

These are not the only sizes you can have but the most common.

A barcode must be added to your mail piece to receive the maximum discount.

The name, adress and barcode has to be in a specific area.

The more automated the piece is the more discount you get !

Below are some guide lines for the positioning of the address block and barcode.

These are only guidelines. You should always check with the United States Postal Service before you go to  print.

Handled With Care Mailing takes no responsibility for errors. It is your responsiblity to check for mailability.

POSTAL SPECIFICATIONS CHART

First Class Post Cards      MIN       MAX

Height                              3.50"     4.25"

Length                             5.00"     6.00"

Thickness                         .007"     .016"

Letters (all classes)          MIN       MAX

Height                              3.50"     6.125"

Length                             5.00"     11.50"

Thickness                         .009"     .25"

Automation Flat Size       MIN       MAX

Height                              5.00"     12.00"

Length                             6.00"     15.00"

Thickness                         .009"     .75"

Large (Flat Size 8 1/2 x 11)

New regulations on flats: If mailing a 8.5 x 11 portrait then the address should be in the top half of the mail piece with the spine to the right of the address block.  If mailing landscape then the address block needs to be is the right half of the mail piece.

It is advise so go to www.USPS.com and check out the DMM for flat size regulations before printing.