1. Greater New York Postal Customer Council
Krista Finazzo
USPS Operational Requirements
April 16, 2008

2. Agenda New Address Standards for Flats
Letter-Size Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Flats Sequencing System
Combined Mailings — Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats
Pressure-Sensitive Scheme Bundle Labels

3. New Address Standards
New address standards for flats are effective in March 2009 and specify:
Address location
Address format

4. New Address Standards
The new address location standards apply to these presorted, automation, and carrier route flats:
Periodicals
Standard Mail
Package Services
Final rule out later this month.
Implementation in March 2009.
We will use the DMM Advisory to keep everyone informed. (Subscribe by sending to or give us your business card after the meeting.

5. Address must be in top half of mailpiece.
New Address Standards
Address location:
Address must be in top half of mailpiece.
Vertical address may cross midpoint if placed within 1 inch of top edge.
When the address is on an insert polywrapped with the host piece, the address must maintain placement throughout processing and delivery.
Final rule out later this month.
Implementation in March 2009.
We will use the DMM Advisory to keep everyone informed. (Subscribe by sending to or give us your business card after the meeting.

6. New Address Standards Final Rule Top Half Top Half Bound edge on right
John Doe
123 Main St
Anywhere, USA 12345
Top Half
John Doe
123 Main St
Anywhere, USA 12345
Anywhere, USA 12345
John Doe
123 Main St
Can be left or right justified, or centered
Can face left or right
Bound edge
on right
The final standards provide more options for most mailpieces.
Anywhere, USA 12345
123 Main St
John Doe
Cannot read
upside down
Bound edge
on right

7. Sans-serif font and all capital letters strongly preferred.
New Address Standards
Address format:
All commercial flats must be addressed using at least 8-point type (each letter or figure must be at least inch high).
Sans-serif font and all capital letters strongly preferred.
A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

8. Additional standards for automation pieces:
New Address Standards
Additional standards for automation pieces:
Address characters cannot overlap. Address lines cannot touch or overlap (0.028-inch clearance preferred).
Address elements may be separated by no more than five blank spaces.
A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

9. New Address Standards
Flats using POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code may use 6-point type (each letter or figure must be at least inch high) if the address is printed in all capital letters.
A “blank” space can equal the width of the widest character used in the type.

10. New Address Standards
One-inch label using 10-point type and all required/recommended clear spaces.
A and D are the required clear spaces above and below the Intelligent Mail barcode (current requirements and not changing).
C is the required clear space to the left and right (current requirements and not changing).
B is the clear space needed from the address to the bottom of the label (allows for label trimming).
E is the preferred clear space of inch between the address lines.

11. New Address Standards
Eight-point type.
Six-point type.

12. New Address Standards
Final rule on pe.usps.com.
Implementation on March 29, 2009.
Contact local MDA for design assistance.
Contact PCSC for national rulings.

13. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
“Slim-jims”:
Letter-size, unenveloped pieces.
Shape-based pricing structure increases attractiveness.
Commonly processed on flat sorters:
Supervisor/operator redirects due to jams
Increases cost

14. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Identify which types of booklets and folded self-mailers will process on letter-sorting equipment.
Develop new standards for mailpiece characteristics and required tabbing.
Align standards for “machinable” and “automation” pieces.

15. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Engineering test — Phase 1:
78 manufactured decks of 500 pieces.
Test size and thickness, tabs (strength, style, location), and spine location.

16. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Phase 1 results:
Thickness and tab integrity were the most important characteristics.
Pieces 1/16-inch thick processed at acceptable rates when tabs remained in place
Pieces 1/8-inch thick sustained unacceptable levels of jams and damage
Cover stock was also important, especially on thicker pieces.

17. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Engineering test — Phase 2:
More precise testing of tabbing, thickness, and cover stock.
Evaluation of cover friction, compatibility with current letter trays, and tab certification procedures.
Manufactured test pieces and “live” pieces submitted by mailers.

18. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Seven-part evaluation:
Enveloped pieces
Spine-right booklets
Multifold booklets
Single-sheet mailers
Large postcards
Booklets with flimsy inner pages
Compatibility with letter trays

19. Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Tentative Schedule
Advance notice: Available now
Phase 2 testing: June – July
Phase 2 analysis: July
Proposal for comment: Early Fall
Final rule: TBD

20. Flats Sequencing System
Automatic High Speed Feeders
Dolly Induction Subsystem
Carousel-style Sorter
Tray Staging
Integrated Tray Converters
Mail Prep Subsystem

21. Flats Sequencing System
TODAY
TOMORROW

22. Flats Sequencing System
New, auto-ready pallet will align mail preparation and entry with mail processing:
Bundle preparation
Pallet preparation
Presorting
Destination entry

23. Flats Sequencing System
Bundle preparation concepts:
One or two straps, no shrinkwrap.
No compensating or counterstacking of pieces.
Consistent bundle sizes for ACTs.

24. Flats Sequencing System
Pallet preparation concepts:
Multiple FSS zones on a pallet.
Non-FSS bundles on same pallet (sorted by APPS).
Need enough mail to build cost-effective pallet.

25. Flats Sequencing System
Presorting concepts:
Exploring options based on today’s carrier routes.
Auto-ready bundles would be scheme-specific, not route specific.
Developing models and data sets to determine appropriate pricing.

26. Flats Sequencing System
Destination entry concepts:
Entry points will expand and condense as FSS is deployed.
After full deployment, number of entry points may be same or fewer than today.

27. Auto-Ready Pallet Concept
Flats Sequencing System
Non-FSS Bundles
FSS Bundles for
Multi FSS Schemes
Auto-Ready Pallet Concept

28. Mixed Classes
New pilot option to combine mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats on pallets:
Achieve finer presort and deeper drop shipment.
Copalletization — combine bundles into one mailstream.
Comailing — combine pieces into one mailstream.

29. Pallets must drop ship at DADC or DSCF.
Mixed Classes
Pallets must drop ship at DADC or DSCF.
Pallets handled as Standard Mail.
Existing rates and classification unchanged:
Mailers must adhere to the volume minimums for Standard Mail by including at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds in each combined mailing.
Periodicals publications must be authorized or pending authorization.

30. Pressure-sensitive scheme bundle labels available soon!
Bundle Label Update
Pressure-sensitive scheme bundle labels available soon!
5-Digit Scheme (red)
3-Digit Scheme (green)
Use instead of Optional Endorsement Lines
Contact your BME manager

31. Resources Postal Explorer pe.usps.com MailPro mncsc@usps.com
DMM Advisory
“Flats Day” May 20th at National Postal Forum
The NPF will be held in Anaheim, CA, from May
A new Flats Symposium on May 20 will provide an overview of the Postal Service's flats vision, an update on the Flats Sequencing System, including address placement issues, and flats containerization, and the day will close with a "town hall" meeting.
For more information, a detailed brochure is available on the NPF website.

32. Thank You!
Questions