Postal Rate Primer - Printing Specialists - Thomas Printworks
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All rates effective as of July 9, 2023

Letters

1 oz

Machinable

Basic Single Piece w/Stamp .660
Basic Single Piece w/Meter Imprint .630
Each additional ounce .240
Presorted N/C
Non-machinable surcharge .400

Automation

Mixed AADC .561
AADC .537
5-Digit Presort .498
Additional oz up to 3.5 oz max N/C

Flats

1 oz or Less

Non-Automation

Basic Single Piece 1.350
Presorted 1.270

Automation

Mixed ADC 1.234
ADC 1.098
3-Digit Presort 1.037
5-Digit Presort .831
Each additional ounce .240

Postcards

Sized from 312" × 5" up to 414" × 6"

Machinable

Basic Single Piece .510
Presorted .404

Automation

Mixed AADC .388
AADC .376
5-Digit Presort .355
Automation discount on all sizes for using full service IMB option: .003/pc

Letters

None NDC SCF DDU

Machinable3

Mixed AADC .387 .360
AADC .363 .336 .328

Non-Machinable4

Mixed ADC 1.007 .936
ADC .916 .845 .825
3-Digit Presort .852 .781 .761
5-Digit Presort .705 .634 .614

Automation3

Mixed AADC .381 .354
AADC .361 .334 .326
5-Digit Presort .326 .299 .291

Carrier Route3

Basic1 .505 .478 .470
Saturation2 .228 .201 .193

Flats

None NDC SCF DDU

Non-Automation4

Mixed ADC 1.007 .936
ADC .916 .845 .825
3-Digit Presort .852 .781 .761
5-Digit Presort .705 .634 .614

Automation4

Mixed ADC .976 .905
ADC .893 .822 .802
3-Digit Presort .786 .715 .695
5-Digit Presort .609 .538 .518

Carrier Route3

Basic .467 .396 .376 .363
Saturation2, 5 .300 .229 .209 .196
Saturation EDDM5 .301 .230 .210 .197
1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .070/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .536
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Letters

None NDC SCF DDU

Machinable3

Mixed AADC .232 .205
AADC .208 .181 .173

Non-Machinable4

Mixed ADC .782 .711
ADC .691 .620 .660
3-Digit Presort .627 .556 .536
5-Digit Presort .480 .409 .389

Automation3

Mixed AADC .226 .199
AADC .206 .179 .171
5-Digit Presort .171 .144 .136

Carrier Route3

Basic1 .357 .330 .332
Saturation2 .143 .116 .108

Flats

None NDC SCF DDU

Non-Automation4

Mixed ADC .782 .711
ADC .691 .620 .600
3-Digit Presort .627 .556 .536
5-Digit Presort .480 .409 .389

Automation4

Mixed ADC .751 .680
ADC .668 .597 .577
3-Digit Presort .561 .490 .470
5-Digit Presort .384 .313 .293

Carrier Route3

Basic .378 .307 .287 .274
Saturation2, 5 .210 .139 .119 .106
Saturation EDDM5 .211 .140 .120 .107
1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .065/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .396
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Addressing for Automation

How and where addresses are placed on mail pieces is important to efficient mail processing. The template below applies to any letter-size mailer. Any non-address information, such as logos, advertising, etc., should be placed above the delivery address line.

Postal diagram

Business Reply Mail

Per Piece (without advance deposit) 0.960
Charge (with advance deposit*) 0.840
Annual BRM Permit 275.00
Annual Accounting Fee 825.00

Address Correction Service

Mail piece forwarded, notice provided

Manual Notice 0.70 ea
Electronic Notice
First Class 0.17 ea
Other 0.37 ea

Permit Fees

Authorization to use permit imprint (indicia)

Application Fee 275.00
Annual Maintenance Fee 275.00
(per class of mail; separate fees required for First Class and Standard mail)
* Requires payment of annual accounting fee + advance deposit postage account.

Mail Standards

Flats Letters Postcards
Minimum Size 6 18" × 11 12" 3 12" × 5 12" 3 12" × 5 12"
Maximum Size 12" × 15" 6 18" × 11 12*" 4 14" × 6"
Minimum Thickness 0.25" 0.009" 0.007"
Maximum Thickness 0.75" 0.25" 0.016"
* Folded Self-Mailer Maximum Size = 6" × 10 12"

Minimum Presort Mailing Size

1st Class 500 pcs
Standard Mail 200 pcs (or 50 lbs.)
  • All Automation Rate Mail must be 100% barcoded with delivery-point barcodes.
  • Pieces that are rigid, non-rectangular or not uniformly thick pay a non-machinable surcharge.
  • All mail must have an approved address correction process performed within 95 days prior to mailing.

A folded self-mailer is formed of two or more panels created when a single or multiple unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to form a letter-size mailpiece.

Size and Weight

Dimensions

Height 3 12" to 6" maximum
Length 5" to 10" 12" maximum
Weight up to 3 oz

Paper Basis Weight

  • 70 lb minimum for 1 oz mailpiece
  • 80 lb over 1 oz up to 3 oz

Closure Methods

Glue

Glue diagram 1: continuous glue line

Continuous Glue Line

  • 18" W to within 14" of each edge
Glue diagram 2: glue spots

Glue Spots

  • 38" diameter
  • 3-4 spots based on design/weight
Glue diagram 3: elongated blue lines

Elongated Glue Lines

  • 18" W × 12" L or
  • 14" W × 12" L or
  • 18" W × 1" L or
  • 3-4 lines based on design/weight

Tabs (2 or 3 Based on Mailpiece Design)

Tab position Diagram showing different tab sizes
  • Placed either at top of lead/trail
  • Within 1" from adjacent edge(s)
  • Lower lead edge tab 12" from bottom

Panel Count

Address side view. Fold edge must be on the bottom.

2 panel mailer

2 Panels (Bi-Fold)

  • Single sheet folded once in half
4 panel mailer

4 Panels

  • Two nested sheets folded once in half
  • One sheet folded three times
  • One sheet quarter-folded perpendicular
3 panel mailer

3 Panels (Tri-Fold)

  • Single sheet folded twice

Flap

Used for closure of mailpiece on non-address side.

  • Placed either at top or lead / trail
  • Horizontal fold letter, external flap is final fold from top edge
  • Vertical fold letter, external flap must be final fold from lead edge
  • Die-cut shape external flaps allowed
    • Glue line seal along the contour of the edge recommended
    • Glue spots / elongated glue lines or tabs must sufficiently seal the flap to the non-address side panel
Flap diagrams