Anatomy of a Mailpiece

1. Indicia, or Permit Imprint
• Class of postage
• Permit name or permit
number
• May also contain post office
or zip code from where it’s
mailing
Class of postage must match the
job ticket in Finishing instructions
Address Block
• Addressee name and/or
secondary addressing format…
‘Current Resident, Postal
Customer, Homeowner’, etc…
• Property address
• City, State, Zip Code and +4
IMB (Intelligent Mail
Barcode
• Must be present
• 65 lines
• ½” minimum from right edge
• Not smear or angled, parallel
with address block
Critical to Quality for Mailing

2. Height = side of mail
piece that’s
perpendicular to the
address block
Length = side of mail piece that’s parallel to the address block
Aspect Ratio = Length /
Height, and should
always be >1.3 and < 2.4
for automation
compatible mail
123 Main St.
Anywhere, USA 90210
Educational

3. 123 Main St.
Anywhere, USA 90210
Return Address
Ancillary Service Endorsement
(instructs USPS how to treat Undeliverable As
Addressed mail)
• Address Service Requested
• Forwarding Service Requested
• Return Service Requested
• Change Service Requested
No endorsement is treated as Address
Service Requested
May be placed in 1 of 4 locations
• Above the Address Block
• Below the Return Address
• Below the Permit Imprint
• To the left of the Permit Imprint
Address Service Requested
Address Service Requested
Address Service Requested
Educational