Before you design your direct mail piece, make sure that it follows all the guidelines to mail at the rate of your choice. Find your product below, then read the details for designing it to correctly fit mailing specifications.
Mailing Guidelines and Requirements
Automated Letter Rate | Automated Flat Rate | |
Size: | Final page or folded size can be our 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, or 6 x 10.5 size | All sizes, 5.5 x 8.5 – 9 x 12 |
Thickness: | Max. 3/4" thickness | |
Weight: | Max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Letter Rate, Max. of 2 oz for Automated First Class Letter Rate, heavier pieces may mail under Flat Rates | Weight max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Flat Rate of $0.617, Automated First Class Flat Rate varies by weight starting at 1 oz at $0.805 |
Tabbing: | Must be triple tabbed with 1 tab on left edge and 2 tabs on right edge of mailing panel; 1.5", non-perforated tabs required | Tabs are not required |
Design: | Back cover with bound edge at the bottom of landscape or horizontal orientation, 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area for addressing should be included and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Shape: | Must be rectangle-shaped and maintain an "aspect ratio" within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by height) | |
Quality: | Min. of 200 pieces for Automated Standard Letter Rate of $0.303 per piece, Min. of 500 for Automated First Class Letter Rate of $0.445 per piece | |
Finish: | Back cover with mailing panel cannot have UV coating | Outside cover cannot have UV coating |
Weight examples per paper type and page count:
5.5 x 8.5, 80# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 80# gloss text plus 10pt cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages plus 10pt cover |
|
pages: | 48 pgs. | 40 pgs. | 32 pgs. | 28 pgs. |
Weight: | 3.07 oz. | 5.60 oz. | 5.02 oz. | 4.76 oz. |
First Class: | Starts at 1.913 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.203 |
Standard: | Starts at $0.692 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.739 |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
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Automated Letter Rate | Automated Flat Rate | |
Size: | Final page or folded size can be our 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, or 6 x 10.5 size | All sizes, 5.5 x 8.5 – 9 x 12 |
Thickness: | Max. 3/4" thickness | |
Weight: | Max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Letter Rate, Max. of 2 oz for Automated First Class Letter Rate, heavier pieces may mail under Flat Rates | Weight max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Flat Rate of $0.617, Automated First Class Flat Rate varies by weight starting at 1 oz at $0.805 |
Tabbing: | Must be triple tabbed with 1 tab on left edge and 2 tabs on right edge of mailing panel; 1.5", non-perforated tabs required | Tabs are not required |
Design: | Back cover with bound edge at the bottom of landscape or horizontal orientation, 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area for addressing should be included and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Shape: | Must be rectangle-shaped and maintain an "aspect ratio" within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by height) | |
Quality: | Min. of 200 pieces for Automated Standard Letter Rate of $0.303 per piece, Min. of 500 for Automated First Class Letter Rate of $0.445 per piece | |
Finish: | Back cover with mailing panel cannot have UV coating | Outside cover cannot have UV coating |
Weight examples per paper type and page count:
5.5 x 8.5, 80# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 80# gloss text plus 10pt cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages plus 10pt cover |
|
pages: | 48 pgs. | 40 pgs. | 32 pgs. | 28 pgs. |
Weight: | 3.07 oz. | 5.60 oz. | 5.02 oz. | 4.76 oz. |
First Class: | Starts at 1.913 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.203 |
Standard: | Starts at $0.692 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.739 |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Download a PDF version of this chart Download
Automated Letter Rate | Automated Flat Rate | |
Size: | Final page or folded size can be our 5.5 x 8.5, 6 x 9, or 6 x 10.5 size | All sizes, 5.5 x 8.5 – 9 x 12 |
Thickness: | Max. 3/4" thickness | |
Weight: | Max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Letter Rate, Max. of 2 oz for Automated First Class Letter Rate, heavier pieces may mail under Flat Rates | Weight max. of 3 oz for Automated Standard Flat Rate of $0.617, Automated First Class Flat Rate varies by weight starting at 1 oz at $0.805 |
Tabbing: | Must be triple tabbed with 1 tab on left edge and 2 tabs on right edge of mailing panel; 1.5", non-perforated tabs required | Tabs are not required |
Design: | Back cover with bound edge at the bottom of landscape or horizontal orientation, 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area for addressing should be included and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Shape: | Must be rectangle-shaped and maintain an "aspect ratio" within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by height) | |
Quality: | Min. of 200 pieces for Automated Standard Letter Rate of $0.303 per piece, Min. of 500 for Automated First Class Letter Rate of $0.445 per piece | |
Finish: | Back cover with mailing panel cannot have UV coating | Outside cover cannot have UV coating |
Weight examples per paper type and page count:
5.5 x 8.5, 80# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 80# gloss text plus 10pt cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages and cover |
8.5 x 11, 100# gloss text pages plus 10pt cover |
|
pages: | 48 pgs. | 40 pgs. | 32 pgs. | 28 pgs. |
Weight: | 3.07 oz. | 5.60 oz. | 5.02 oz. | 4.76 oz. |
First Class: | Starts at 1.913 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.785 | Starts at 2.203 |
Standard: | Starts at $0.692 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.788 | Starts at $0.739 |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Download a PDF version of this chart Download
Printed pieces are eligible to mail for Letter or Flat Rates based on final folded dimensions.
Automated First Class Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Flat Rate |
Automated First Class Flat Rate |
|
Average: | $.612 each, with min. of 500 pieces | $.413 each with min. of 200 pieces | $.969 each with min. of 200 pieces | Starts at $.1331 each with min. of 500 pieces weighing under 1 oz each |
Size: | Final folded size min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max. 10.5" wide x 6" tall | Min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max. 10.5" wide x 6" high | Min. 6" wide x 5" tall, max. 15" wide x 12" tall | Min. 6" wide x 5" tall, max. 15" wide x 12" tall |
Weight: | Less than 2 oz | Less than 3 oz | Less than 16 oz, over 3 oz | Less than 16 oz |
Tabbing: | Must be double tabbed on top with the mail panel created on the back cover and with the folded edge at bottom | For automated postal rates, folded pieces must be tabbed closed. All folded pieces require a min. of two tabs at the top of the piece. Some French fold pieces may require triple tabs. The mailing panel must be created on the back cover and with the folded edge at the bottom. | Tabbing optional | Tabbing optional |
Design: | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Coating: | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side |
Shape: | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3 - 2.5 (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3 - 2.5 (length divided by width) |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Download a PDF version of this chart Download
Printed pieces are eligible to mail for Letter or Flat Rates based on final folded dimensions.
Automated First Class Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Flat Rate |
Automated First Class Flat Rate |
|
Average: | $.602 each, with min. of 500 pieces | $.413 each with min. of 200 pieces | $.969 each with min. of 200 pieces | Starts at $.1331 each with min. of 500 pieces weighing under 1 oz each |
Size: | Final folded size min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max. 10.5" wide x 6" tall | Min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max. 10.5" wide x 6" high | Min. 6" wide x 5" tall, max. 15" wide x 12" tall | Min. 6" wide x 5" tall, max. 15" wide x 12" tall |
Weight: | Less than 2 oz | Less than 3 oz | Less than 16 oz, over 3 oz | Less than 16 oz |
Tabbing: | Must be double tabbed on top with the mail panel created on the back cover and with the folded edge at bottom | For automated postal rates, folded pieces must be tabbed closed. All folded pieces require a min. of two tabs at the top of the piece. Some French fold pieces may require triple tabs. The mailing panel must be created on the back cover and with the folded edge at the bottom. | Tabbing optional | Tabbing optional |
Design: | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Coating: | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side |
Shape: | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3 - 2.5 (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3 - 2.5 (length divided by width) |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Download a PDF version of this chart Download
Postcards are eligible to mail at First Class or Letter Automated Rates, as long as the mail panel design meets USPS requirements. 4 x 6 postcards are eligible to mail at the First Class Postcard Rate.
4 x 6 Cards: Automated First-Class Postcard Rate |
5 x 7 – 6 x 11 Cards: Automated Standard Letter Rate |
5 x 7 – 6 x 11 Cards: Automated First-Class Letter Rate |
|
Average: | $.4032 each, min. of 500 pieces | $.413 each, min. of 200 pieces | $.602 each, min. of 500 pieces |
Size: | Min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 6" wide x 4.25" tall | Min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 11.5" wide x 6.125” tall | Min. 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 11.5" wide x 6.125” tall |
Design: | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall blank area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space |
Coating: | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing panel |
Shape: | An aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Download a PDF version of this chart Download
Folded postcards are eligible to mail at Letter or Flat Rates, depending on the final/folded dimensions and tabbing requirements:
Automated First Class Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Letter Rate |
Automated Standard Flat Rate |
Automated First Class Flat Rate |
|
Average: | $.602 each, min. of 500 pieces if each weighs under 2 oz | $.413 each, min. of 200 pieces | $.969 each, min. of 200 pieces | Price varies by weight starting at 1 oz at $0.1331 |
Size: | Min 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 10.5" wide x 6" tall | Min 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 10.5" wide x 6" tall | Min 6" wide x 5" tall, max 15" wide x 12" tall | Min 6" wide x 5" tall, max 15" wide x 12" tall |
Weight: | Less than 3 oz | Less than 3 oz | Less than 3 oz | |
Tabbing: | For automated postal rates, folded postcards must be tabbed closed. All pieces must double tab. | For automated postal rates, folded postcards must be tabbed closed. All pieces must double tab. | Not required for Flat Rate | Not required for Flat Rate |
Design: | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel with the folded edge at the bottom, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel with the folded edge at the bottom, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel | When viewed in portrait position, 4” wide x 2” tall unprinted addressing area in top half of page toward right side, and 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space in top right corner of mailing panel |
Coating: | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side |
Shape: | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” – 2.5” (length divided by height) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” – 2.5” (length divided by height) |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
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Requirements without Envelopes
4 x 6 Cards: Automated First-Class Postcard Rate |
5 x 7 – 6 x 11 Cards: Automated Standard Letter Rate |
5 x 7 – 6 x 11 Cards: Automated First-Class Letter Rate |
|
Average: | $.3015 each, min of 500 pieces | $.303 each, min of 200 pieces | $.445 each, min of 500 pieces |
Size: | Min 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 6" wide x 4.25" tall | Min 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 11.5" wide x 6.125” tall | Min 5" wide x 3.5" tall, max 11.5" wide x 6.125” tall |
Design: | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall unprinted area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space | 4" wide x 2" tall blank area in bottom right corner of mailing panel, 1” wide x 1” tall blank indicia space |
Coating: | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing side | No UV coating on mailing panel |
Shape: | An aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) | Rectangle with an aspect ratio within 1.3” - 2.5” (length divided by width) |
Requirements with Envelopes
Automated First Class Letter Rate | Automated Standard Letter Rate | |
Average: | $.445 each, min. count of 500 pieces | $.303 each, min. count of 200 pieces |
Inserting: | Machine Inserting Items Into Envelopes: 1 item : $27 per 1000 + $30 setup | Machine Inserting Items Into Envelopes: 1 item : $27 per 1000 + $30 setup |
Rates: | Invitations in our standard sizes are eligible to mail at Automated Letter Rates when inserted into envelopes. | Invitations in our standard sizes are eligible to mail at Automated Letter Rates when inserted into envelopes. |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
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Automated First Class Letter Rate | Automated Standard Letter Rate | |
Average: | $.602 each, min. count of 500 pieces | $.413 each, min. count of 200 pieces |
Size: | 4.25 x 6 or 5 x 6.875 | 4.25 x 6 or 5 x 6.875 |
Rates: | Folded greeting cards in our standard sizes are eligible to mail at automated letter rates when inserted into envelopes. Postage rates are subject to change by the USPS. Questions?Requests? We can do more! Just give us a call. |
Folded greeting cards in our standard sizes are eligible to mail at automated letter rates when inserted into envelopes. Postage rates are subject to change by the USPS. Questions? Requests? We can do more! Just give us a call. |
- We can also inkjet your return address on blank envelopes or print custom envelopes for you in full color.
- For custom envelopes, please contact our mailing services after the jobs has been placed, to pay insert fees and to match your custom envelopes to your greeting cards for mailing.
- Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
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Booklet Envelopes | Catalog Envelopes | |
Design: | Ensure the front face has a 4” wide x 2” tall min. clear/white/unprinted area to allow for the barcode and address, as well as a 1 x 1 area in the upper right corner for our indicia | Ensure the front face has a 4” wide x 2” tall min. clear/white/unprinted area to allow for the barcode and address, as well as a 1 x 1 area in the upper right corner for our indicia |
Inserting: | A6, A7, #9, #10 and 6 x 9 booklet envelopes may be inserted via machine depending on the size and fold of the insert. | 6 x 9 Catalog, 9 x 12 and 10 x 13 envelopes require inserting by hand (and thus require an additional 1-2 business days to the mail services turnaround time). |
Inserting Pricing: | Machine Inserting: (Max. of 6 inserts and up to 6 x 9 booklet envelope size) * Please call in after placing your print order to set up and pay for the insert portion of your job. 1 insert: $27 per 1000 + $30 setup 2 inserts: $27 per 1000 + $30 setup 3 inserts: $36 per 1000 + $30 setup 4 inserts: $36 per 1000 + $30 setup 5+ inserts: Contact us for a quote Hand collating & inserting: 1 insert: $70 per 1000 2 inserts: $85 per 1000 3 inserts: $125 per 1000 4 inserts: $150 per 1000 5+ inserts: Contact us for a quote |
Machine Inserting: (Max. of 6 inserts and up to 6 x 9 booklet envelope size) * Please call in after placing your print order to set up and pay for the insert portion of your job. 1 insert: $27 per 1000 + $30 setup 2 inserts: $27 per 1000 + $30 setup 3 inserts: $36 per 1000 + $30 setup 4 inserts: $36 per 1000 + $30 setup 5+ inserts: Contact us for a quote Hand collating & inserting: 1 insert: $70 per 1000 2 inserts: $85 per 1000 3 inserts: $125 per 1000 4 inserts: $150 per 1000 5+ inserts: Contact us for a quote |
Please note that all postage transactions are subject to a 5% administrative and handling fee.
Postage price will vary by size and weight of the final piece.
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