1. Folded
self- mailer
The rules for folded self mailers have not changed…..yet. They are in the Domestic Mail manual and the Quick Service Guide available on our website at pe.usps.com. The USPS and the industry are still looking at ways to improve the handling of the folded self mailer and they expect those findings to be released in the fall of You should subscribe to the DMM advisory or click on federal register notices from pe.usps.com to keep up with the latest changes.

2. With one tab or wafer seal: folded edge at bottom of mailpiece, tab or wafer seal in middle of top edge of mailpiece.
º Single folded sheet, sealed with one tab or wafer seal, minimum basis weight : 28 pounds or 70 pounds
º Two or more sheets, sealed with one tab or wafer seal, minimum basis weight: 24 pounds or 60 pounds
(read)
Folded Self- Mailer

3. ºminimum basis weight: 20 pounds
With two tabs or wafer seals: folded edge at top or bottom of mailpiece, tabs or wafer seals must be placed within 1 inch of the right and left edges of mailpiece
ºminimum basis weight: 20 pounds
(read)
Folded Self- Mailer

4. With folded edge on right (leading edge):
Leading (trailing) edge and other open edges must be secured with at least one tab or a glue line.
º If the piece is 7 inches long or more, the piece must be sealed on the top and the bottom
(read)
º minimum basis weight 75 pound
Folded Self- Mailer

5.                                       
                                      
Number and location of tabs or wafer seals are specified for particular types of letter-size mail. In all cases, additional tabs may be used.
And read some more.

6. Minimum basis weight 20 Pound
Invitation fold
Address label tab
Folds top and bottom
Multiple sheets
Minimum basis weight 20 Pound
Continuous glue strip
Open edge top
Folded edge bottom
Single sheets
Minimum basis weight 20 lb
And finally there are options to using tabs
Folded Self- Mailer

7. Letter-sized booklets
The new rules for letter size booklets take effect on …. (go to next slide).

8. Letter- sized booklets
(read starting with the date. Make sure they get that.)
Letter- sized booklets

9. Booklets definition
Multiple sheets of paper bound together on one edge to form a spine; may be perfect-bound or permanently fastened with staples (saddle stitched) or another method that creates a uniformly thick mailpiece.
Larger booklets may be folded to letter-size so long as final mailpiece remains uniformly thick.
Spiral bindings are not machinable and do not qualify for automation prices.
(read)
Letter- sized booklets

10. º Height – 3.5 inches to 6 inches º Length – 5 inches to 10.5 inches*
Booklets:
º Height – 3.5 inches to 6 inches
º Length – 5 inches to 10.5 inches*
º Thickness – inch to 0.25 inches measured at the booklet spine
º Aspect ratio – within 1.3 to 2.5
º Maximum weight – 3 ounces
(read)
*Note: some booklet designs have shorter maximum lengths
Letter- sized booklets

11. The current maximum weight of 3 ounces has not changed and is applicable to all mailpieces prepared without envelopes. However, to improve machinability we recommend reducing the length of 3-ounce booklets to a final trim size of 9 inches.
(read and click, there is an animation in this slide)
Letter- sized booklets

12. Cover stock requirements vary with 40-pound minimum basis weight for folded booklet designs and 60- or 70-pound minimum basis weight for pieces
longer than 9 inches.
The use of paper that is 10 pounds heavier than the required minimum basis weight is recommended for better processing performance.
We strongly recommend using a minimum of 70-pound paper as cover stock on mailpiece designs that approach maximum booklet dimensions.
(read, recommendations are in blue)
Letter- sized booklets

13. The bottom edge of booklets must be a bound edge or fold unless the mailpiece is prepared as an oblong booklet.
Oblong booklets must be prepared with a spine on the leading edge. Oblong booklets with the spine on the trail edge are non machinable.
↑ Spine
← Spine
(read)
Letter- sized booklets

14. Position upper tabs 1” from the top edge
Tab placement is subject to ¼” variance in either direction- measurement is to edge of tab
Position upper tabs 1” from the top edge
Spine may be on trail edge.
Position lower tab on leading edge ½” from bottom edge
Tabs must be tight against the edge of the mailpiece. A maximum 1/16” overhang is recommended.
Letter- sized booklets

15. Tabs on top edge positioned 1” from each side of mailpiece
Tab placement is subject to ¼” variance in either direction- measurement is to edge of tab
Tabs on top edge positioned 1” from each side of mailpiece
← Spine
Tab centered on trailing edge
Tabs must be tight against the edge of the mailpiece. A maximum 1/16” overhang is recommended.
Letter- sized booklets

16. Test revealed that tabs with perforations are easily broken, do not maintain their integrity and are damaged in transport prior to entering the mailstream.
º Tabs used to seal booklets claiming automation or machinable prices may not be perforated.
(read)
Letter- sized booklets

17. º Tabs: Three minimum 1-1/2inch tabs required on all booklets
Generally booklets need three 1-1/2 inch tabs as closures. For larger or heavier booklets, we recommend 2 inch paper tabs. Glue spots or a continuous glue line may be used to seal some booklet designs.
º Tabs: Three minimum 1-1/2inch tabs required on all booklets
Non-perforated tabs required on all pieces
Recommend white paper tabs
Recommend 2-inch tabs on booklets over 2.5 ounces
1.5” - 2” width
(and read)
Letter- sized booklets

18. Glue Spot: Glue Line: May be used in lieu of tabs
Must be placed within ¾” of the open edges
Must be at least 1” in diameter
Glue Line:
May be used as cover-to-cover seals
Must be placed along the entire edge and no more than ¾” from the open ends
(and read)
Letter- sized booklets

19. Tabs, wafer seals, cellophane tape or permanent glue (continuous or spot) must not interfere with recognition of the barcode, rate marking, postage identification or required address information.
Cellophane tape is not acceptable within the barcode clear zone. Tabs or wafer seals placed in the barcode clear zone must contain a paper face meeting standards for reflectance and, if the barcode is not printed by the mailer, the standards for water based ink.
(read)
5/8” from bottom
4-1/4” from right edge
Barcode clear zone