Direct Mail Postage and Guidelines by Taylor

Direct Mail Postage and Guidelines A Quick Reference Guide 11.8.23

taylor.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This document contains confidential information intended solely for the recipient(s) named herein. The information set forth in this document may not be reproduced or disclosed by the recipient(s) without the prior written consent of the author.

USPS Postal Rate Chart

Effective July 9th, 2023 — January 20th, 2024

First-Class Mail: Commercial • Letters and Postcards Automation

Nonautomation Machinable

Residual Single-Piece

First-Class Mail Retail

LETTERS - Metered

LETTERS Weight Not Over (ounces)

Weight Not Over (ounces)

5-Digit

AADC

Mixed AADC

AADC

M-AADC

0.498

0.537

0.561

0.543

0.576

0.660

0.66

0.63

0.498

0.537

0.561

0.543

0.576

0.660

0.90

0.87

0.498

0.537

0.561

0.543

0.576

0.660

1.14

1.11

3.5

0.498

0.537

0.561

0.543

0.576

3.5

0.660

3.5

1.38

3.5

1.135

Postcard

0.355

0.376

0.388

Postcard (retail)

USPS Marketing Mail Letters: Commercial (3.5 oz or less)

Automation

Carrier Route

Entry Point

5-Digit Scheme

AADC

Mixed AADC

Saturation

None

0.326

0.361

0.381

DNDC

0.299

0.334

DSCF

0.291

0.326

Card Dimensions

Nonautomation (3.5 oz or less)

Machinable

Density Plus

High

High Density

Basic

Entry Point

AADC

Mixed AADC

3-1/2" min.

0.228

0.258

0.317

0.505

None

0.363

0.387

Height

0.354

0.201

0.231

0.290

0.478

DNDC

0.336

0.360

0.193

0.223

0.282

0.470

DSCF

0.328

Carrier Route and Automation Automation

Nonautomation Carrier Route

Entry Point

5-Digit Scheme

AADC

Mixed AADC

Saturation

None

0.171

0.206

0.226

DNDC

0.144

0.179

0.199

Minimum Maximum Length 5 inches 9 inches Height 3-1/2 in. 6 inches Thickness 0.007 in. 0.016 in.

Length

5" min.

9" max.

Letter Dimensions 6" max.

USPS Nonprofit Letters: Commercial (3.5 oz or less)

6" max.

(3.5 oz or less)

Machinable

Density Plus

High

High Density

Basic

Entry Point

AADC

Mixed AADC

0.143

0.167

0.169

0.357

None

0.208

0.232

0.116

0.140

0.142

0.330

DNDC

0.181

0.205

DSCF

0.136

0.171

0.108

0.132

0.134

0.322

DSCF

0.173

DDU

Abbreviations

Volume

AADC: Automated Area Distribution Center

MXD AADC: Mixed Automated Area Distribution Center

Minimum volume for presort and automation rate:

DSCF: Destination Sectional Center Facility

DNDC: Destination Network Distribution Center

First-Class: 500 pieces | Standard mail: 200 pieces

Please email postalaffairs@taylor.com with any questions | For full rate chart click here.

Minimum Maximum Length 5 inches 11-1/2 in. Height 3-1/2 in. 6-1/8 in. Thickness 0.007 in. 1/4 inch

3-1/2" min. Height Length 5" min.

11-1/2" max.

Letters or cards exceeding any of the dimensions above move to the FLATS category of mail

Non-machinable Characteristics: See DMM 100.1.2 and 601.3.3 for ref. * Aspect ratio less than 1.3 or more than 2.5

* Polybagged, polywrapped

* Sealed with clasps, strings, buttons

* Not uniform in thickness

* Delivery address parallel to shorter dimension

* Is too rigid / not flexible

* Self-mailer or booklet that is not prepared or sealed according to DMM 201.3.14

Fees Annual permit imprint application fee: $310.00 2

USPS Postal Rate Chart First-Class Flats: Commercial

Flat Dimensions

Automation

Non-auto

Weight Not Over (Ounces)

5-Digit

3-Digit

ADC

Mixed ADC

Presorted

0.831

1.037

1.098

1.234

1.270

1.071

1.277

1.338

1.474

1.510

1.311

1.517

1.578

1.714

1.750

1.551

1.757

1.818

1.954

1.990

1.791

1.997

2.058

2.194

2.230

2.031

2.237

2.298

2.434

2.470

2.271

2.477

2.538

2.674

2.710

2.511

2.717

2.778

2.914

2.950

2.751

2.957

3.018

3.154

3.190

2.991

3.197

3.258

3.394

3.430

3.231

3.437

3.498

3.634

3.670

3.471

3.677

3.738

3.874

3.910

3.711

3.917

3.978

4.114

4.150

12"max.

Maximum

Length

11-1/2 inches

15 inches

Height

6-1/8 inches

12 inches

Thickness

1/4 inch

3/4 inch

6-1/2" min.

*Flats must exceed at least one of these minimum dimensions

Height Length

11-1/2" min.

15" max.

CAUTION: Flats exceeding any of the maximum dimensions above move to the PARCELS category of mail

Marketing / Standard Flats Commercial 4 oz or less

Minimum*

Nonprofit Flats Commercial

Carrier Route

Automation

4 oz or less

Entry Point

Saturation

EDDM

High Density Plus

High Density

Basic

5-Digit

3-Digit

ADC

Mixed ADC

Carrier Route

Automation

Entry Point

Saturation

EDDM

High Density Plus

High Density

Basic

5-Digit

3-Digit

ADC

Mixed ADC

None

0.300

0.301

0.329

0.389

0.467

0.609

0.786

0.893

0.976

None

0.210

0.211

0.237

0.300

0.378

0.384

0.561

0.668

0.751

DNDC

0.229

0.230

0.258

0.318

0.396

0.538

0.715

0.822

0.905

DNDC

0.139

0.140

0.166

0.229

0.307

0.313

0.490

0.597

0.680

DSCF

0.209

0.210

0.238

0.298

0.376

0.518

0.695

0.802

DSCF

0.119

0.120

0.146

0.209

0.287

0.293

0.470

0.577

DDU

0.196

0.197

0.225

0.285

0.363

DDU

0.106

0.107

0.133

0.196

0.274

More than 4 ounces (Pound price only applies to weight exceeding 4 ounces)

None

0.640

0.756

0.896

None

0.400

0.500

0.706

DNDC

0.640

0.756

0.896

DNDC

0.400

0.500

0.706

DSCF

0.640

0.756

0.896

DSCF

0.400

0.500

0.706

DDU

0.640

0.756

DDU

0.400

0.500

IMDB (Subtract)

-0.003

For postage rates on NON-Automated Flats please visit Postal Explorer to review full rate charts.

Mailpiece Design Tips

Flaps Extended portion of the address side panel as the final fold over and secured to nonaddress side panel. Flaps are used for closure of mailpiece.

This document provides summarized information that Folded Self-Mailers (FSM) and specific unenveloped mailpiece designs must meet to receive automation letter discounts. This information is only a summarized reference tool; please refer to the Federal Register (FR) Final DMM section 201.3.14 for official language to revised (FSM) standards and 201.3.15 for the specific unenveloped mailpiece design standards.

• Horizontal folded pieces: external flap must extend from top on non-address side;

Definition

Paper Basis Weight

A folded self-mailer is formed of panels created when a single or multiple unbound sheet(s) of paper are folded together and sealed to form a letter-size mailpiece.

Standards for paper are based on Book Grade (Offset, Text) as represented in Exhibit 3.2 located in DMM section 201.3.2.

• Die-cut shape external flaps are allowed. Edge along contour must be well sealed to panel using tabs, glue spots or elongated glue line. However, a 1/8” continuous glue

minimum 1.5”L at the longest point, but extend to no closer than 1” from bottom. • Vertical folded pieces: external flap must extend on non-address side from lead to trail edge; minimum 5”L at the longest point, but extend no closer than 1” from trail edge.

line to seal along the contour of the die-cut pattern’s edge is highly recommended. Non-addressed side flaps as shown: Lead edge is to the left, trail edge is to the right:

FSM Size Guidelines • All letter-rate mail must be within an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of 1.3 to 2.5.

1.5" min flap

• Minimum foldover postcard, self-mailer and letter dimension 3.5" x 5.0".

No closer than 1" to bottom edge

5" min flap die-cut

No closer than 1" to trail edge

• Maximum foldover postcard, dimension 6.0" x 10.5"; maximum letter dimension 6.125" x 11.5."

Common Fold Methods Bi-fold: Single sheet folded once in half forming two panels. Tri-fold: Single sheet folded twice forming three panels. Quarter-fold: Single sheet folded at least two times, with the second fold at a right angle (perpendicular) to the preceding fold. One sheet of paper quarter-folded produces four panels. Oblong: Mailpiece with fold(s) vertical to length of letter. Final fold must be on lead edge. When a folded self-mailer is made of multiple sheets, multiply the number of sheets by the number of panels created when folding a single sheet to determine the number of panels in the finished multi-sheet folded self-mailer; e.g., (3) sheets of paper folded once in half (2 panels) = (6) total panels. Both sides of a panel count as “one and the same” panel.

2023 Postal Holidays Monday, January 2*........................................................... New Year’s Day Monday, January 16.......................................................... Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Monday, February 20........................................................ President’s Day Monday, May 29................................................................ Memorial Day Monday, June 19................................................................ Juneteenth (observed) Tuesday, July 4.................................................................... Independence Day

General Sealing Methods (DMM 3.14.4)

Monday, September 4....................................................... Labor Day

Folded self-mailers must be sealed using tabs or glue under the following conditions (also see 3.14.5 for specific sealing standards). Glue: Adhesive or cohesive applied as a continuous line (preferred), glue spots or elongated glue lines placed within 1/4" of edge(s). Continuous Glue Line: 1/8" wide to within ¼" of each edge. Glue Spots: 3/8" diameter, 3-4 spots based on mailpiece design/weight. Elongated Glue Lines: 1/8"W x ½"L or ¼"W x ½"L or 1/8"W x 1"L, 3-4 lines based on mailpiece design/weight. Tabs must meet the standards for tabs in DMM section 201.3.11. The size and number of tabs required is determined by the weight of the mailpiece and optional design elements. Non-perforated wafer seals or tabs are applied to top or lead and trail edge to securely close a folded self-mailer letter. Non-Perforated Tabs: 2-3 tabs required based on mailpiece design. Placement: Either at top or on lead and trail edge within 1" of adjacent edge(s). Lower lead edge tab placed within ½" of bottom edge.

Monday, October 9........................................................... Columbus Day

Address side shown: Trail edge is to the left, lead edge is to the right.

Saturday, November 11.................................................... Veterans Day Thursday, November 23................................................... Thanksgiving Day Monday, December 25..................................................... Christmas Day (observed) * If a holiday falls on a Sunday, for most USPS employees, the following Monday will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, for most USPS employees, the preceding Friday will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes.

Mailpiece Design Tips – Flats Addressing Catalog Magazine

Magazine in Polywrap

Usually addressed on front cover

Addressed on loose enclosure

Bound Edge

Top half

Large Envelopes

Small Digest

Usually addressed on back cover

Horizontal” format is fine — “top” is left or right edge

“Vertical” address may cross midpoint if it begins or ends with 1 inch of top edge Top half

Top half

1 inch line

Top half

LOOSE ENCLOSURE

1/2 inch line

Top half

Bound Edge

2023 PROMOTIONS CALENDAR Promotions

JAN

Tactile, Sensory and Interactive

Jan 9

Feb 1

Jul 31

Personalized Color Transpromo

Jan 9

Feb 1

Jul 31

Emerging Technology (Now includes mobile shopping)

Reply Mail IMbA™ NEW Informed Delivery® Retargeting NEW Please email postalaffairs@taylor.com with any questions.

FEB

MAR

APR

Mar

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEPT SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC USPS Marketing Mail ® and First-Class ® Mail Products First-Class ® Mail Service

May 1

Nov 30 May 15

Jul 1

Registration

Dec 31

Jun 15

Aug 1 Jul 15

Promotion Period

Dec 31 Sept 1

Nov 30 5

Postal Optimization and Postal Logistics TAYLOR’S POSTAL AFFAIRS TEAM SPECIALIZES IN: Mail Plan Successful direct mail campaigns require a customized plan leveraging the best delivery solutions to maximize postage savings, meet key in-home dates and bring visibility to mail-piece delivery. Taylor will present a mail plan before mailing listing options and savings.

Drop Shipping

Co-mingling

When we drop ship your standard mail campaigns, we utilize LTL carriers to deliver your mail pieces directly to postal facilities closest to the recipient eliminating multiple stops throughout the USPS logistics system and maximizing postage discounts.

Co-mingling is the process of combining your First Class and/or Standard Marketing Mail pieces with millions of others into one mailing before it even reaches the U.S. Postal system. Taylor partners with Pitney Bowes Presort Services and has daily pickups at all our mail facilities.

Co-Palletization Co-Palletization of Standard Mail Letter Trays takes the physical trays of mail, which have already been addressed, presorted and trayed, and puts them onto pallets along with other trayed mail of separate jobs. This allows mailers to obtain deeper drop ship discounts.

Mail Tracking Use the Postal Service’s Informed Visibility® data to get valuable insight into your mail. Taylor utilizes GRAYHAIR software to track mail pieces through the postal stream to “the last mile” of delivery to homes. Clients are able to view tracking results from the mailer’s dashboard and customized reporting is available.

Benefits • Maximize postage savings by leveraging multiple postage optimization solutions. • Predictable in-home dates allowing you to control the number of call center volume or walk in traffic. • Data analysis to compare shipping costs vs. postage savings.

• Postage savings by reducing work the USPS must complete. • Mail jumps over three steps in the delivery process. • Expedited delivery by skipping many time-consuming steps.

• Significant postage savings on pieces that typically require higher postage.

• Consistent delivery in home by

• Guaranteed postage costs.

pushing mail further into the USPS

• 99% of mail is delivered directly to

processing network.

the NDC/SCF. • Co-mingling can be utilized as a

• PVDS can be utilized as a standalone

standalone solution or combined

solution or combined with other

with other cost saving solutions.

cost-saving solutions.

• Improve postage savings.

• Production efficiencies gained by the origin mailer. • Co-Pal can be utilized as a standalone solution or combined with other cost saving solutions.

• Provides real-time status of a single mailpieces’ location. • Every mailpiece is scanned at a USPS machine; receive status updates as the mail is being processed. • Projected in-home delivery dates supplied in a shareable format and customized reports. • Track the percentage of how much mail for the campaign has been delivered.

Resources For More Information Contact Email: postalaffairs@taylor.com Postal Pro/Industry Alerts postalpro.usps.com

DMM-Domestic Mailing Manual pe.usps.com

USPS Business Customer Gateway usps.com/gateway

MSSC Helpdesk (Mailing Shipping & Solution Center) MDA Helpdesk (Mailpiece Design Analyst) Email: MSSC@USPS.gov Email: MDA@USPS.gov Weekdays 7am-7pm CT | 1.877.672.0007

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