If God is in the details, then the USPS is the holiest place on earth - they have more rules, regulations, standards and codes than anyone else on the planet. And these rules are always evolving and changing, which is why mailhouses are in business...no one else can keep up with all the rule and regulation updates.
I just had a customer bring in a design for us to print and mail but we had to break it to her that it needed to be re-designed because it didn't meet the latest USPS rules about Flat sized mailers. Her designer had no idea that the rules had changed and if we hadn't caught the error, it would have cost over $2200.00 in extra postage.
So here is a handy link from the USPS:
http://ribbs.usps.gov/flat/documents/Flats_Addressing_Requirements/flat_addressing_req.htm
Also, check out this handy dandy publication:
http://ribbs.usps.gov/flat/documents/Presentations_Communication_Resources/Flats_Addressing/Flats_Fact_Sheet_Standard_Mail.pdf
If you have any other questions, give Gage Press a toll free call at 866-606-5956.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Highlights of the New USPS Changes
On May 11th the USPS raised it's rates (again) and instituted new rules and regulations. This happens periodically and the Post Office actually does a pretty good job of getting this info out to the professional mailers, but for those who only mail occassionally, I suggest going to your local BMEU (Bulk Mail Entry Unit) and ask for a list of the changes. Or you can go online, but I have found their website to be a bit cumbersome.
Here are the highlights:
1. Postage - click this link to see the new rates:
http://pe.usps.com/PriceChange_May2009/PDF/PriceList/PriceList.pdf
2. Forms - Obviously your 3602 and other postal forms have been changed to reflect the new rates. You can obtain the new forms online at this link:
http://www.usps.com/forms/allforms.htm
3. Here is a pdf link for all the new regulations:
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2009/pb22256/pdf/pb22256.pdf
The table of contents is actually easy to figure out, but it can be a bit daunting.
4. Some changes like Intelligent Barcoding that were supposed to go into effect are available but still not mandatory - though they will be soon.
The USPS loves making changes, so you need to stay on top of them. Some make sense, others not so much and how they are enforced depends on what Post Office you use to enter your mail. This is where using a mail professional pays for itself for the average mailer. Before getting anything printed, ask whoever is mailing for you if it meets USPS specifications.
Here are the highlights:
1. Postage - click this link to see the new rates:
http://pe.usps.com/PriceChange_May2009/PDF/PriceList/PriceList.pdf
2. Forms - Obviously your 3602 and other postal forms have been changed to reflect the new rates. You can obtain the new forms online at this link:
http://www.usps.com/forms/allforms.htm
3. Here is a pdf link for all the new regulations:
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2009/pb22256/pdf/pb22256.pdf
The table of contents is actually easy to figure out, but it can be a bit daunting.
4. Some changes like Intelligent Barcoding that were supposed to go into effect are available but still not mandatory - though they will be soon.
The USPS loves making changes, so you need to stay on top of them. Some make sense, others not so much and how they are enforced depends on what Post Office you use to enter your mail. This is where using a mail professional pays for itself for the average mailer. Before getting anything printed, ask whoever is mailing for you if it meets USPS specifications.
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