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 10 million pieces a month… we know mail. And we can help you.
2021 USPS Postal Information
FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATES | |||
Non-Auto (Up to 1 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
Metered Single Piece (Machinable Letter) | 53.0¢ | – | – |
Stamped Single Piece (Machinable Letter) | 58.0¢ | 40.0¢ | $1.16 |
Presorted (Machinable) | 46.1¢ | 33.5¢ | 89.1¢ |
Automation (Up to 3.5 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
Mixed AADC | 48.5¢ | 32.6¢ | Ask for |
AADC | 46.1¢ | 31.8¢ | quote |
5-digit | 42.6¢ | 30.6¢ |
USPS MARKETING MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
Automation | Letters | Flats |
Mixed AADC | 33.0¢ | – |
Mixed ADC | – | 79.8¢ |
AADC | 30.9¢ | – |
ADC | – | 72.9¢ |
3-digit | – | 64.0¢ |
5-digit | 27.7¢ | 48.2¢ |
CR Basic | 33.2¢ | 35.3¢ |
CR High Density | 23.9¢ | 27.9¢ |
CR High Density Plus | 21.0¢ | 24.1¢ |
CR Saturation | 19.7¢ | 23.4¢ |
NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
Automation | Letters | Flats |
Mixed AADC | 19.9¢ | – |
Mixed ADC | – | 59.4¢ |
AADC | 17.8¢ | – |
ADC | – | 52.5¢ |
3-digit | – | 43.6¢ |
5-digit | 14.6¢ | 27.8¢ |
CR Basic | 24.6¢ | 26.5¢ |
CR High Density | 15.3¢ | 19.1¢ |
CR High Density Plus | 12.5¢ | 15.3¢ |
CR Saturation | 11.7¢ | 14.6¢ |
PHOENIX METRO (LOCAL RATES) | ||
USPS MARKETING MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
Automation – DNDC | Letters | Flats |
AADC | 28.8¢ | – |
ADC | – | 66.0¢ |
3-digit | – | 57.1¢ |
5-digit | 25.6¢ | 41.3¢ |
CR Basic | 31.1¢ | 30.9¢ |
CR High Density | 21.8¢ | 24.0¢ |
CR High Density Plus | 18.9¢ | 20.2¢ |
CR Saturation | 17.6¢ | 19.5¢ |
PHOENIX METRO (LOCAL RATES) | ||
NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
Automation – DNDC | Letters | Flats |
AADC | 15.7¢ | – |
ADC | – | 45.6¢ |
3-digit | – | 36.7¢ |
5-digit | 12.5¢ | 20.9¢ |
CR Basic | 22.5¢ | 22.1¢ |
CR High Density | 13.2¢ | 15.2¢ |
CR High Density Plus | 10.4¢ | 11.4¢ |
CR Saturation | 09.6¢ | 10.7¢ |
EDDM – EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL | |
Standard | 18.9¢ – 23.5¢ |
Nonprofit | 10.1¢ – 14.7¢ |
No mailing list required. | |
To receive these rates, please add $200 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″ | 6″ |
Length | 5″ | 9″ |
Thickness up to 4.25″ x 6″
Thickness over 4.25″ x 6″ up to 6″ x 9″ |
.007″
.009″ |
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) |
DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT POSTAL REGULATIONS & PRISMA MAILING SERVICES FACT SHEET
Download a PDF of our Postal Information document and save for future reference on your next mailing project.
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