Outline of all of the latest USPS postal specifications for self-mailers (pieces that mail without envelopes), including: 1. Size dimensions of a self-mailer 2. Weight of a self-mailer 3. Paper weight specifications 4. Thickness of a self-mailer 5. Tabbing requirements 6. Folding specifications 7. Addressing requirements This presentation lists all of the latest USPS requirements for mailing self-mailers.

1. USPS Self Mailer
Changes
Commencing:
January 5, 2013

2. So What has Changed?
 Dimension
 Weight & Thickness
 Closure Method
 Fold Style/Orientation
 Flaps
 Panels
 Address Placement

3. Basic Design Elements
Dimension
Height – 3.5” to 6” max
Length – 5” to 10.5” max
Weight – up to 3 ounces
Paper cover basis weight -- Book grade (Text, Offset):
Basic Folder Self-Mailer Design
 70# minimum for 1 oz. mail-piece; 80# min. over 1 oz. up to 3 oz.
Optional Elements added
 Basis weight ranges from 80# to 120#
 Basis weight increases when piece weight is over 1oz.
 Attachment must be affixed to panel
Newsprint paper allowed on Quarter-Fold design only
 55# minimum paper, 1.5 inch tabs required

4. What closure is required?
Tabs
 Up to 1 ounce mailer needs two 1” tabs
 Mailers over 1 ounce need two 1.5” tabs
 If using perforations or inserts;
 Under 1oz. Use 1.5” tabs
 Over 1oz. Use 2” tabs
Glue
 Continuous glue line
 1/8 inch wide
 Glue spots
 3/8 inch diameter, 3 to 4 spots
 Elongated glue lines
 1/8 inch wide, 3 to 4 lines

5. Folding Examples
Fold Style / Orientation
Horizontal - final fold at bottom edge to non-address side
Vertical - final fold to the right of mail address panel
 Oblong is a common name for this fold style
These are only representative illustrations of potential designs.

6. Quarter-Fold Design
 Two folds perpendicular
create a quarter-fold mail
piece
 Folds must be at the lead
and bottom edge
 Single layer attachment
or reply envelope
allowed within
 Paper basis weight – 70#
min, 80# if over 1oz.
Newsprint requires 55# min which
correlates to 60# book weight
These are only representative illustrations of potential designs.

7. Glue and Tab Closures

8. Flaps

9. What closure is required?
Panels
 Each folded section of a sheet is a separate panel
 Both sides of the panel count as one and the same panel
 Equal – nearly equal size; varied fold styles with panels of
different sizes, short panels covered by full-size panel(s)
 Internal partial panels count toward # panels allowed
 Final fold panel creates non-address side of mail-piece by
folding from bottom to top, or lead to trail edge

10. Panel Counts

11. Address Placement
 Addressing in the mid to left position is
preferred.
 Addresses must be on the center panel.
 Perforations must be on the non-
addresses side.

12. Summary
New Requirements:
 Dimension: Height: 6” max and Length: 10.5”
max
 Weight: Up to 3oz max
 Paper Basis Weight: based on design and
weight: Minimum 70# and higher
 Closure method options – based on design and
weight: Tabs: 2 or 3 non-perforated tabs

13. Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB)
Implementation Date – January 27, 2013
Postnet Barcode Sample –
IMB Barcode sample –
Advantages
More capability with similar footprint
Tracking of mail
Information contained within barcode
Mailer ID
Service type
Unique Serial # for each mailing
Delivery point information
Qualified Business Reply Mail and Permit Reply Mail must have the IMB

14. Postage Rate Increase
Effective January 27, 2013
 First Class Letter up $0.01 to $0.46
 First Class Postcard up $0.01 to $0.33
 Shipping Services Increase 4%
 Bulk Mail Services Increase 2.6%