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.
2023 USPS Postal Information
| FIRST-CLASS MAIL RATES | |||
| Machinable (Up to 1 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
| Metered Single Piece | 63.0¢ | 51.0¢ | – |
| Stamped Single Piece | 66.0¢ | 51.0¢ | $1.35 |
| Automation (Up to 3.5 oz.) | Letters | Cards | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 56.1¢ | 38.8¢ | Ask for |
| AADC | 53.7¢ | 37.6¢ | quote |
| 5-digit | 49.8¢ | 35.5¢ |
| USPS MARKETING MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
| Automation | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 38.1¢ | 97.6¢ |
| AADC | 36.1¢ | 89.3¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 78.6¢ |
| 5-digit | 32.6¢ | 60.9¢ |
| CR Basic | 50.5¢ | 46.7 |
| CR High Density | 31.7¢ | 38.9¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 25.8¢ | 32.9¢ |
| CR Saturation | 22.8¢ | 30.0¢ |
| NON-PROFIT MAIL RATES | (Up to 3.5oz) | (Up to 4.0oz) |
| Automation | Letters | Flats |
| Mixed AADC | 22.6¢ | 75.1¢ |
| AADC | 20.6¢ | 66.8¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 56.1¢ |
| 5-digit | 17.1¢ | 38.4¢ |
| CR Basic | 35.7¢ | 37.8¢ |
| CR High Density | 16.9¢ | 30.0¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 16.7¢ | 23.7¢ |
| CR Saturation | 14.3¢ | 21.0¢ |
| PHOENIX METRO (LOCAL RATES) | ||
| USPS MARKETING 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 | 32.6¢ | 80.2¢ |
| 3-digit | - | 69.5¢ |
| 5-digit | 29.1¢ | 51.8¢ |
| CR Basic | 47.0¢ | 37.6¢ |
| CR High Density | 28.2¢ | 29.8¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 22.3¢ | 23.8¢ |
| CR Saturation | 19.3¢ | 20.9¢ |
| PHOENIX METRO (LOCAL 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 | 17.1 | 57.7¢ |
| 3-digit | – | 47.0¢ |
| 5-digit | 13.6¢ | 29.3¢ |
| CR Basic | 32.2¢ | 28.7¢ |
| CR High Density | 13.4¢ | 20.9¢ |
| CR High Density Plus | 13.2¢ | 14.6¢ |
| CR Saturation | 10.8¢ | 11.9¢ |
| EDDM – EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL | |
| Standard | 21.0 – 30.1¢ |
| Nonprofit | 12.0 – 21.1¢ |
| 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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