Click on the above image to open The 2013 Direct Mail Quick Guide.
Mailhouse Order Form
Please go fill out the following form and email or fax it back to us.
The form can be found here: Direct Mail Order
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Presort Standard Indicia Blind. A return address is required to use this indicia. Right Click and select download link as, click Here |
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Presort Standard Indicia, Right Click and select download link as, click Here |
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First Class Indicia Blind. A return address is required to use this indicia. Right Click and select download link as, click Here |
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Non Profit Indicia Blind. A specific return address is required to use this indicia. Right Click and select download link as, click Here |
These placement standards apply to all "flat" Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services mailed at presort, carrier route, and automation prices.
They do NOT apply to First-Class Mail!
The first step is to identify what the "top" is:
- Either of the shorter edges on enveloped or polywrapped pieces, and on all Carrier Route (or ECR) Saturation pieces.
- The upper edge when the spine is placed on the right-handed side of an unenclosed piece.
Identify the "top" of the mailpiece: (Will the address be on...)
- Front or back of the mailpiece.
- Either of the shorter edges, or the upper edge with the spine on the right.
- The "top" has nothing to do with the printing on the piece or how it is constructed. Pretend the mailpiece is a blank object.
- Define the "top half". Fold and crease the piece, or measure with a ruler.
- Place the delivery address entirely in the top half. It can be parallel or perpendicular to the top edge, but not upside-down.
- Done with "top"! Now place the postage and return address in relation to delivery address as it is read (postage to the right or upper right, return address to the upper left).
The new standards do not change:
- The existing standards for use of a return address. Best placement is still to the upper left of the delivery address. (refer to publication 177 on the web, click here)
- The existing standards for barcode placement
- The existing four options for indicia placement
Example PDF of Correct Address Placement
Click here to download.
FIRST Class- up to 4.25 X 6 - the weight for this sized card must be a minimum of 7 PT
PRSTD Standard - up to 4.25 X 6 - the weight for this sized card must be a minimum of 7 PT
LARGER SIZED CARDS:
PRSTD Standard (only) from 4.25 X 6 through 6.125 X 11.5 – the weight must be a minimum of 9 PT (NOTE THAT 80# GLOSS COVER DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A MINIMUM OF 9PT….80# MATTE COVER MAY QUALIFY BUT YOU MUST DOUBLE CHECK THE WEIGHT OF THESE STOCKS AS THIS CAN VARY FROM MILL TO MILL).
DO NOT TRY TO MAIL ANYTHING SMALLER THAN 3.5 X 5.5 as these will not mail.
Often times it is less costly to send a post card (up 4.25 X 6) First Class Mail/Post Card Rate as opposed to sending it PRSTD Standard.
You do not want to send an oversized post card (above 4.25 X 6) First Class as it will be more expensive than PRSTD Standard.
For best postal rates: address along the long side of the piece. If you address along the shorter side – then you will pay a surcharge as high as 10-12 cents per piece.
ASPECT RATIOS
Your project’s aspect ratio is very important (i.e. Aspect Ratio is length/width).
For the best postal rate the aspect ratios should NEVER be between 1 and 1.3 but should always be between 1.3 and 2.5. To make this easier to understand: if the piece looks like a rectangle you are probably okay, if it looks like a square you are in trouble.
FLATS
Anything larger than 6.125” or 11.5” in one dimension will ship as a FLAT instead of at PRSTD Standard / bulk rate.
FOR FLATS – THE ABOVE WEIGHTS AND ASPECT RATIOS DO NOT MATTER BECAUSE YOU ARE ALREADY PAYING THE HIGHER (PREMIUM) POSTAL RATE.
REFLECTANCE
Using colors, screens and/or patterns beneath the address area of a mail piece is not recommended. White is the safest and easiest of all colors to use in the address area, all other colors and screens are subject to scrutiny from the post office. Reflectivity/reflectance must be above .5 according to USPS standards. The darker the area being addressed/inkjetted - the lower the reflectance. A patterned background is a bad idea as well since a barcode will be printed on top of a pattern and the pattern will render the bar code impossible to read with automation. The post office may bounce the entire project if there is a pattern behind the address portion of the inkjet.
Your addressing window size should be 4” X 2”. The addressing box should be ½” from the right side and 5/8” from the bottom of the fold for best mailing.
If you are not registered as a non profit entity with the post office, then use this USPS form #3624: ps3624.pdf
In addition, you must provide a signed letter printed on your letterhead that gives us permission to mail these pieces. Please cut and paste the following paragraphs onto your letterhead and send us a copy. This is what that letter needs to say:
To whom it may concern,
We need additional use of our non-profit status to utilize the non-profit indicia of CPC at the USPS Grand Junction, Colorado, facility.
This letter and the attached USPS form should establish our non-profit status.
Please contact us if you have any questions and, thank you for your attention to this need.
Kind regards,
Sign the letter, fill out the appropriate form and fax these to us in advance of the job or it could delay your mailing.
Note that CPC can assist in finding you a list for you to purchase or lease from various list brokers that we partner with.
Standard Mail drops within 2-9 days once it reaches the post office.
First class mail is based on 1 oz or less
