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New Tabbing Requirements for Letter-Size Booklets - September 8, 2009
A final ruling (39 CFR Part 111) on the new standards for letter-size booklets has been announced. These new standards will
take affect on September 8, 2009. These new tabbing standards are for automation-compatible booklets only and do not affect
self-mailers. The full text of this ruling can be read here: http://pe.usps.com/FRN/Booklets.pdf
A booklet is defined as a document made up of bound sheets or pages. Binding methods that are compatible with machinable
processing include perfect binding, permanent fastening with at least two staples in the manufacturing fold (saddle stitched),
pressed glue, or another binding method that creates a nearly uniformly thick mailpiece. Spiral bindings are not machinable so
booklets prepared with spiral bindings do not qualify for automation prices. Large booklets may be folded to letter-size for
mailing if the final mailpiece remains uniform in thickness.
The diagram below details the different tabbing requirements for booklets. Click here
download a PDF of this graphic.
March 29, 2009 - New Flat Addressing Requirements
Effective March 29, 2009, new address placement and formatting requirements adopted by the Postal Service® for Periodicals,
Standard Mail®, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail®, and Library Mail flat-size pieces sent at automation, presorted, or
carrier route prices, will be implemented. USPS® also adopts related revisions for automation and presorted First-Class
Mail® flats. New requirements were published in the Federal
Register May 7, 2008.
The following documents from USPS can be downloaded (PDF files) to assist in design changes that you'll need to make:
Any mail that does not meet the new flat design changes will need to be send out full rate First-Class Mail. If you would
like us to review any of your designs, please email your TMD representative a PDF of your artwork. Please note that other
file formats or faxes do not always keep the integrity of the size and we may not be able to accurately review your
mail piece. Please call us if you have questions!
November 23, 2008 - Move Update Requirements
On November 23rd, the USPS will begin enforcing the new Move Update Requirements. The new requirements
shortened the time from 180 days to 95 days and now includes Standard and Nonprofit Mail (previously only
First-Class Presorted mail was required to comply). What does this mean to you? It means less UAA mail
and money savings (less postage, printing and mailing). It also means your mailing list will need to be
run through NCOA or other similar Move Update method (which may add to your turn around time for projects).
If you're not familiar with Move Update and would like us to come speak to yourstaff about this and other industry
changes, please let us know. You canlearn more about NCOA on our
data services page.
What happens if you do not meet the Move Update requirements and still send out your mailing? You could be
subject to fines by the post office. Please call us if you have questions!
February 12, 2008: New Prices Coming May 12, 2008
On May 12, 2008, the United States Postal Service will adjust prices for mailing services including: First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services and Special Services. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.
A First-Class Mail stamp will be 42¢. Customers can continue to use the Forever Stamps that they purchased prior to May 12 at 41¢, even after the price change. Forever Stamps will be widely available for purchase to meet increased demand before the price change. There will also be a 62¢ stamp available shortly after May 12 for 1-ounce
non-machinable First-Class Mail letters, such as square greeting cards.
For more information on the new prices and fees effective May 12, click here.
January 14, 2008: Optimizing Flats Post-Rate
Hike
Last year, the USPS increased the postage on flats—defined
as mail pieces measuring 6-1/8” x 11-1/2” or larger—by 40%. In light
of the changes, direct marketers are adopting creative tactics to
reduce the impact of the price hike. Many are using alternative formats
that, while still attention grabbing,
qualify for the lower letter rate.
December 20, 2007:
USPS Plans Rapid
Expansion
of Intelligent Mail
As part of a series of updates to its
Strategic Transformation Plan 2006-2010,
the Postal Service is rapidly expanding
its Intelligent Mail program. Intelligent
Mail uses new barcodes and systems to provide end-to-end visibility
of mail. The program will be developed
and tested in 2008 along with
the implementation of modern service standards for all mailing
services.
To read more about Intelligent Mail and the other updates to the
Strategic Transformation Plan, download
a PDF of the full article.
December 10, 2007: Survey
Predicts Healthy Year for Direct
Mail
A survey conducted by
BtoB Magazine reports that marketers plan to increase their
direct marketing budgets next year, despite softness in the
overall economy. 49% of marketers plan to increase spending
oen direct marketing in 2008, with an additional 31% keeping
their spending the same.
For the full results of the survey, read the BtoB article
here.
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