Postal Regulations
When mailing through the U.S. Postal Service, getting it right is imperative. A piece folded incorrectly or sized unconventionally can cost you dearly in postage. That’s where the experts at Prisma can help. Our in-house consultants can review your mail piece to ensure it meets postal requirements. Processing more than 15 million pieces a month… we know mail. And we can help you.
2024 USPS Postal Information
| FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATES | |||
| Machinable (Up to 1 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
| Metered Single Piece | 69.0¢ | 56.0¢ | $1.50 |
| Stamped Single Piece | 73.0¢ | 56.0¢ | $1.50 |
| Automation (Up to 3.5 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 62.2¢ | 41.9¢ | Ask for |
| AADC | 59.3¢ | 40.6¢ | quote |
| 5-digit | 54.5¢ | 38.4¢ |
| USPS MARKETING MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
| Automation | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 40.2¢ | 1.041¢ |
| AADC | 38.0¢ | 97.1¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 86.4¢ |
| 5-digit | 34.5¢ | 68.7¢ |
| CR Basic | 61.0¢ | 50.2¢ |
| CR High Density | 33.8¢ | 41.9¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 26.4¢ | 34.2¢ |
| CR Saturation | 23.7¢ | 29.9¢ |
| NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
| Automation | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 23.0¢ | 80.5¢ |
| AADC | 20.8¢ | 73.5¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 62.8¢ |
| 5-digit | 17.3¢ | 45.1¢ |
| CR Basic | 44.3¢ | 41.9¢ |
| CR High Density | 17.1¢ | 33.6¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 16.8¢ | 23.1¢ |
| CR Saturation | 14.8¢ | 19.6¢ |
| NATIONAL RATES | ||
| NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | ||
| In order to receive these rates, please add $250 transportation fee. | ||
| (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) | |
| Automation – DSCF | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | - | - |
| AADC | 35.3¢ | 90.1¢ |
| 3-digit | - | 79.4¢ |
| 5-digit | 31.8¢ | 61.7¢ |
| CR Basic | 58.3¢ | 43.2¢ |
| CR High Density | 31.1¢ | 34.9¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 23.7¢ | 27.2¢ |
| CR Saturation | 21.0¢ | 22.9¢ |
| NATIONAL RATES | ||
| In order to receive these rates, please add $250 transportation fee. | ||
| NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
| Automation – DSCF | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | - | - |
| AADC | 18.1¢ | 66.5¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 55.8¢ |
| 5-digit | 14.6¢ | 38.1¢ |
| CR Basic | 41.6¢ | 34.9¢ |
| CR High Density | 14.4¢ | 26.6¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 14.1¢ | 16.1¢ |
| CR Saturation | 12.1¢ | 12.6¢ |
| EDDM – EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL | |
| Standard | 21.9 – 30.0¢ |
| Nonprofit | 11.6 – 19.7¢ |
| No mailing list required. | |
| To receive these rates, please add $250 transportation fee. | |
| Minimum Quantities | |
| First Class Postage | No minimum |
| First Class Presorted | 500+ pieces |
| Standard Presorted | 200+ pieces |
| Non Profit Presorted | 200+ pieces |
| SIZES AND SPECIFICATIONS | ||
| First Class Postcards | Min | Max |
| Height | 3.5″ | 4.25″ |
| Length | 5″ | 6″ |
| Thickness | .007″ | 0.016″ |
| Weight: max weight 3.5 oz. | ||
| Letters (All Classes) | Min | Max |
| Height | 3.5″ | 6.125″ |
| Length | 5″ | 11.5″ |
| Thickness | .007″ | .25″ |
| Weight: max weight 3.5 oz. | ||
| FSM (Folded Self-Mailers) | Min | Max |
| A folded self-mailer is formed of panels that are created when one or more unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to make a letter-size mail piece. The spine needs to be on the bottom edge unless it’s designed as an oblong FSM then the spine is on the leading edge. | ||
| Height | 3.5″ | 6″ |
| Length | 5″ | 10.5″ |
| Thickness | .009″ | .25″ |
| Weight | 3 oz. | |
| Paper basis weight – Book grade | ||
| 70lb minimum for pieces weighing 1 oz or less | ||
| 80lb minimum for pieces weighing over 1 oz | ||
| Booklets/Slim Jims | Min | Max |
| Booklets consist of bound sheets or pages; bound by staples or glue. The spine needs to be on the bottom edge unless it’s designed as an oblong booklet, then the spine is on the leading edge. | ||
| Height | 3.5″ | 6″ |
| Length | 5″ | 10.5″ |
| Thickness | .009″ | .25″ |
| Weight: max weight 3 oz. | ||
| Automation Compatible Flat-Size Mail | Min | Max |
| Height | 6.125″ | 12″ |
| Length | 11.5″ | 15″ |
| Thickness | .009″ | .75″ |
| Weight: under 13 oz (FC) under 15.99 oz (STD) |
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