![]() ![]() ![]() Self-Mailersįolded self-mailers are pieces folded into two or more panels, resulting in letter-size mail. All permit mail must include a return address.Ĭheck out the USPS Quick Service Guide 602 for guidance about the address side of mailpieces. Return addresses may include artwork or logos. The return address appears in the upper left corner, in the top third of the mailpiece, separated by at least 1˝ horizontally and vertically from the delivery address. The barcode clear zone is 4 3/4˝ wide by 5/8” high. Delivery addresses can appear anywhere within the vertical limits, but cannot be closer than 1/2˝ from the left or right edge of the mailpiece.ĭesigners must leave room for the postal barcode which postal equipment will apply in an area at the bottom right corner of the address side of the mailpiece. Mailers must position the mailing address in a rectangular region that begins 5/8” from the bottom of the piece and ends vertically 2 3/4” from the bottom of the piece. Remember a perfectly square mailpiece has an aspect ratio of 1, so it doesn’t meet the standard necessary to qualify for the lowest postage rates. ![]() The USPS defines the length of a piece as the edge parallel to the delivery address, so avoid vertically oriented address blocks. Divide the length of the piece by the height to calculate the aspect ratio. To avoid non-machinable surcharges, the ratio must fall between 1.3 and 2.5. Aspect ratio refers to the relationship of the height of a mailpiece to its length. Out of spec dimensions won’t keep your mail from being processed, but USPS surcharges will have a dramatic effect on postage costs. Mail handling equipment requires material to be flexible as it passes over belts and rollers.Īspect ratios are items that designers often overlook. Choose matte or dull finishes to prevent reflections that hinder address-reading equipment.īleed-throughs can also cause readability problems so make sure text and images don’t show through from the opposite side of the paper or the envelopes, but don’t select material that is too thick or stiff. The best way for designers to avoid problems in this area is making sure the space they reserve for the mailing address is white or light colored. It may seem obvious, but postal automation equipment must be able to read the addresses printed on mailpieces. ![]() A bit of knowledge is all it takes to prevent last-minute disasters and get maximum value from direct mail campaigns. Errors discovered at production time increase costs and put deadlines in jeopardy. Design missteps that affect mailability can be expensive. The volume and complexity of the US Postal Service’s Domestic Mail Manual can be overwhelming, but creative people need to focus on only a few important areas to ensure their designs flow smoothly through the mail. Designers who have spent little time with direct mail may need to get up to speed on the details that make a direct mail campaign successful. To produce the best results requires both creative designs and compliance with postal mail best practices. Today on Printing Impressions newsletterĭirect mail is staging a comeback! Instead of concentrating solely on saturated channels such as email and social media, marketers are once again embracing mail’s superior open and conversion rates.Ways Commercial Printers Can Expand Into Package Printing. ![]()
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