Mailing Project Guidelines & Recommendations
Postage Categories & Rates
FIRST CLASS (up to 1 oz.)
- Postcard: 53¢
- Letter: 68¢ (add 24¢ per additional oz.)
- Metered Letter: 58.6¢ (up to 1 oz.)
- Non-machinable: $1.12
- Flat: $1.39 (add 24¢ per additional oz.)
PRESORT FIRST CLASS (up to 3.5 oz., requires a min. of 500 automation addresses)
- Letter: 50.7¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 50.7¢–58.6¢
PRESORT FIRST CLASS (up to 1 oz., requires a min. of 500 automation addresses)
- Postcard: 35.7¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 35.7¢–40.6¢ (max size 4.25″x6″) - Flat: 84.1¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 84.1¢–$1.30
PRESORT STANDARD (up to 3.5 oz. letter, up to 4 oz flat, requires a min. of 200 automation addresses)
- Letter: 22.9¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 22.9¢–54.7¢ - Flat: 30.5¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 30.5¢–$1.006
NON PROFIT (up to 3.5 oz., requires a min. of 200 automation addresses)
- Letter: 14.7¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 14.7¢–39.6¢ - Flat: 21.4¢ *lowest rate possible
common range 21.4¢–76.7¢
EDDM (Saturation standard flats—special size and orientation requirements apply)
- Flat: 21¢–31¢ (range)
Postal Size Regulations
| Size | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Postcard | 3.5″x5″ | 4.25″x6″ |
| Letter | 3.5″x5″ | 6.125″x11.5″ |
| Flat | 5″x6″ | 12″x15″ |
Common Envelope Sizes
| Type | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| #9 | 3.875″ x 8.875″ |
| #10 | 4.125″ x 9.5″ |
| A2 & 5½ Bar | 4.375″ x 5.75″ |
| A6 & 6 Bar | 4.75″ x 6.5″ |
| A7 & 7 Bar | 5.25″ x 7.25″ |
| 5 Bar | 4.125″ x 5.625″ |
| #6¾ | 3.625″ x 6.5″ |
Addressing Space
Minimum of 4″ x 2″ from lower right corner. Any mailing using presort methods must have a barcode in the address area—no closer than .5″ to right edge and no higher than 2¾” from bottom edge.
Lowest Rate Possible
*The lowest rate possible normally does not occur throughout an entire mailing. Most mailings have a variable price per piece. Non-automated rates are significantly higher. Non-machinable letters subject to a 15¢ surcharge.
Move Update: Managing Address Quality & Accuracy
Postal regulations require that mailings using presort methods have updated addresses for quality and accuracy within the past 90 days. We recommend processing through the National Change of Address (NCOA). This ensures the most current address is used by matching the address for individual, family, and businesses to move records. Please allow 1-2 additional business days to process the list. A fee does apply and depends on the number of names processed. (NCOA is only as current as the information provided to the Post Office and does not guarantee that some mail won’t be returned).
The use of these Ancillary Service Endorsement are acceptable to maintain the accuracy of your mail list after the list has been updated through NCOA:
- Return Service Requested: the piece is returned to the mailer
- Address Service Requested and Forwarding Service Requested: the piece is forwarded to the correct address and notification of the correct address is sent to the mailer
Use of an ancillary service endorsement on a mail piece obligates the mailer to pay any applicable charges for forwarding, return, and separate address notification charges.
Alternatively, one can bypass the Move Update standards— and avoid fees—by including “OR CURRENT RESIDENT” in the address block. However, if the resident or business has moved, that mail piece will not be forwarded or returned.
West Press Indicias
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