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Automation-Compatible Letter-Size Mailers

Self-mailers are a great way to cut printing and postage costs, and reduce the waste stream. Automated addressing, barcoding, and postage metering also reduces mailing costs. Lack of advance planning, however, can create design problems that rapidly negate anticipated savings. Printing and Mailing Services can help you plan and organize your mailing. Our customer service representatives can help you select the appropriate size and weight of paper stock to make your mailer standout while meeting postal regulations. Our graphic typesetter can work with you to design an attractive mailer that meets United States Postal Service Automation Compatable standards—saving you time and frustration.
Specifications for Automation-Compatible Letter-Size Mailpieces
An 8-1/2 x 11 inch sheet of 20 lb, 24 lb, or 28 lb paper folded once to 8-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches DOES NOT meet minimum thickness of 0.009 inch for an automation-compatible letter
Tri-fold Self-mailer Tab placement: 2 (start ≤1 inch from edges) (see illustration above) Folded Edge: Bottom Open Edge: Top (Flush Sheets: Single Base Stock Weight: 20 lb	Tri-fold Self-mailer Tab placement: 1 (middle) Folded Edge: Bottom Open Edge: Top (Flush Sheets: Single Base Stock Weight: 24 lb or 28 lb
Continuous Glue Strip Mailer Open Edge: Top Folded Edge: Bottom Sheets: Single Base Stock Weight: 20 lb
Mailpieces 7 inches long or longer must be sealed on top and bottom as well as in middle (as illustrated above). Pieces less than 7 inches long may be sealed only on the open (left) end. Piece feeds through automated machinery left-to-right, so fold on the leading edge.
End fold mailer Tabs: 1 middle of open (left) end Folded Edge: Right end Sheets: Single Base Stock Weight: 75 lb	End fold booklet Tabs: two (start ≤1 inch from top and bottom edges) Spine: Right Open Edge: Left Sheets: Multiple with cover Base Stock Weight: 24 lb (cover)
Booklet Tabs: 2 (start ≤1 inch from edges) (see illustration above) Spine: Bottom Sheets: Multiple with cover Base Stock Weight: 20 lb	Folded Booklet Tabs: 2, one each end (start ≤1 inch from top edge) Spine: Bottom Sheets: Multiple with cover Base Stock Weight: 20 lb
Invitation Fold Mailer Tab: Address label Folds: Top and bottom Sheets: Multiple Base Stock Weight: 20 lb	Single Postcard Mailer Minimum size: 3-1/2 x 5 inches Maximum size: 4-1/4 x 6 inches See additional information about address panel design below.
	Double Postcard Mailer Tab placement: 1 (middle, top) Folded Edge: Bottom Open Edge: Top Sheets: Single Base Stock Weight: 75 lb See additional information about address panel design below.

Postal Barcodes
All mailers should be designed to allow a 3 5/8 inch x 5/8 inch space at the bottom for postal barcodes. Do not include content information in this area.

Postcard Address Panels
The minimum size of a postcard address panel, typically located on the right-hand side of the back of a postcard, is 3 5/8 inch x 3 inch from the bottom of any return address type. When designing your postcard mailer, confirm that adequate space is alloted to meet this regulation. Postcards failing to meet these regulations will be subject to a higher postage rate. Pre-formatted postcard templates are available in the Resources section of this Web site.

For more information about self-mailers, please call Printing and Mailing Services, 581-3768 or 581-3765.

 

Mailing Services | Student Mail | Postal Rates | Self-Mailers | Mailing Tips | Building Zips | Databases | Campus Lists | Regulations | Barcode Utility