PRESENTS - LIPCC | Long Island Postal Customer Council€¦ · Gatefold Style Folded Self Mailer Card Stock Dimensions: 8.5” x 5.5” Score at 2.25 from each edge. Gatefold style

PRESENTS

10 MOST COMMON MISTAKES

IN MAILPIECE DESIGN

Guest Speakers

Adam Avrick Design Distributors

and

Lisa Brooks Brooks Litho

Agenda

● Listing of the 10 Most Common Mistakes

● Discuss Issues Case by Case

● Helpful Guides to Better Design

10 Most Common Mistakes Not Meeting Minimum Mailing Dimensions

Dark/Black Background Color on Mail pieces

Screening/Imaging

Return Address Placement on Letters & Flats

Text or Graphics in the Barcode Clear Zone

Postcard Design

Insert Shift

Folded Self-Mailer Construction

Address Placement on Flats

Requesting Uniquely Assigned BRM ZIP+4 Code

Common Mistake #1:

Not Meeting Minimum Mailing Dimension

Current Postal Minimum Dimensional Requirement for Mailing:

● Minimum Height: 3.5”

● Minimum Length: 5.0”

● Minimum Thickness: 0.007” (.009 Minimum if mailpiece is over 4.25” H x 6” L

Information regarding how the placement of the delivery address can negatively

impact the mailability of a design can be reviewed in 601.1.1.3 & 601.6.3 of our USPS

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM).

Common Mistake #2:

Black or Dark Colored Backgrounds.

Print Contrast

Sample A Sample123 Main StreetAnytown, US 12345









Mailpieces must meet

contrast and reflectance

standards as outlined in

the Domestic Mail

Manual (DMM).

DMM 204.1.3

Common Mistake #2:

Black or Dark Colored Backgrounds.

Paper Colors

Recommended: Light Pastels and Neutrals

NOT Recommended: Dark, Bright, Black, or Fluorescent colored backgrounds.

Common Mistake #3:

Screening/Imaging.

Common Automation Problems

Dark Fibers

BleedthroughSecurity Paper

Common Mistake #4:

Address Placement.DMM 202.1.5 & Notice 67

Common Mistake #4:

Address Placement.DMM 202.1.5 & Notice 67

Common Mistake #5:

Text or Graphics in Barcode Clear Zone.

DMM 202.5

Common Mistake #6:

Postcard Design (What is a Postcard?)

DMM 201.1.2.1

Common Mistake #6:

Postcard Design – Vertically Divided

Address, postage and any Postal Service markings must appear on the right side measuring at least 2 1 /8 ” wide (measured from the right edge of the card)

There must be 1 /8 ” clear space around the delivery address.

There also must be ½” margin on the right side of the card.

(Not drawn to scale)

2 1/8”

DMM 201.1.2.1.7.a

Common Mistake #6:

Postcard Design – Horizontally Divided

Address, postage and any markings must appear on the portion containing the address and measure at least 1½” high from the top or bottom edge of the card

There must be 1 /8 ” clear space around the delivery address

(With or without rule)

1 1/2”

DMM 201.1.2.1.7.b

Common Mistake #7:

Insert Shift within Window Envelopes.

Common Mistake #7:

Insert Shift within Window Envelopes.

Barcode may appear on the piece or on an insert showing through a barcode window.

Common Mistake #8:

Folded Self Mailer Construction

A folded self‐mailer is formed by two or more panels that are created when one or more unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to make a letter‐size mailpiece.

The number of panels is determined by the number of sheets in the mailpiece and the number of times the sheets are folded.

What is a Folded-Self Mailer?

Common Mistake #8:

Folded Self Mailer Construction

There are many designs and rules for folded self mailers.

Additionally, there are important requirements for securing self mailers with either wafer seals or glue.

Folded-Self Mailers

DMM 201.3.14

Common Mistake #8:

Gatefold Style Folded Self Mailer

Card Stock Dimensions: 8.5” x 5.5”Score at 2.25 from each edge.

Gatefold style self‐mailers are considered non‐machinableand are not eligible for automation pricing.

Non-machinable DOES NOTmean un-mailable.

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Common Mistake #9:

Address Placement for Enveloped, Polywrapped

or Card-style Flats.

The new placement standards apply to all Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Package Services flats mailed at presort, carrier route, and automation prices.

The delivery address must be entirely within the top half of the mailpiece.

They do not apply to First-Class Mail!

DMM 202.2.2.2

Common Mistake #9:

Address Placement for

Enveloped, Polywrapped

or Card-style Flats.

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ABC CompanyPO BOX 321Anytown US 98765-4321

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Top Half

The top edge of the mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.

The entire delivery mailing address must be within the top half of the mailpiece.

DMM 202.2.2.3Catalog addressed on back cover

Bound edge

Top Edge

Common Mistake #9:

Address Placement for

Bound or Folded Flats.

For bound or folded Periodicals,Standard Mail, Bound Printed Matter,Media Mail, and Library Mail flats mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route prices not in envelopes or polywrap, the “top” is the upper edge of the mailpiece when the bound or final folded edge is vertical and on the right side of the piece. Exception: For Carrier Route (or Enhanced C.R.)saturation pieces, the “top” of the mailpiece is either of the shorter edges.

DMM 202.2.2.3

Bound edge


Top half

Top edge

Magazine addressed on front cover

Common Mistake #10:

Procedure for Requesting

a Uniquely-Assigned

BRM ZIP+4 Code.

All BRM must contain a uniquely-assigned ZIP+4 Code to separate the BRM from the customer’s regular mail.

This is so the USPS can collect payment for these mailpieces.

DMM 505.1

For assistance contact MDA SUPPORT CENTER

MDA Help Desk

Phone (855) 593-6093

Email: [email protected]

Monday – Friday

7:00 am – 5:00 pm CST

Or contact

The Business Service Network

(631) 755-2920 Lori Granholm

(631) 755-2918 Serafina Natale

Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

PRESENTS - LIPCC | Long Island Postal Customer Council€¦ · Gatefold Style Folded Self Mailer Card Stock Dimensions: 8.5” x 5.5” Score at 2.25 from each edge. Gatefold style