Guidelines for Preparing Bulk Mailings
The first requirement for bulk mail qualification involves the size of the mailing - there must be a minimum of 200 identical pieces or 50 pounds. After that, your mailing must meet the following requirements:
- ZIP Codes are required on every address. Missing ZIP Codes will delay your mail.
- Mail pieces must be sorted in ascending ZIP-code order. Mark boxes or trays indicating the order, for example, "1 of 5", "2 of 5", and so forth, if you have five boxes of mail.
- Only pieces sent to a U.S. address may be part of a bulk mailing. International mail may not be mixed with domestic bulk mail.
- A departmental return address is required on each mail piece.
PAPER AND INK
Don't use paper or ink colors that are fluorescent. Light colored type on dark stock doesn't work well either. The Post Office needs to be able to see the print of the address and the indicia and a dark or black background inhibits this. Additional costs may be incurred to correct a deficiency of this type plus it changes the impact you planned.
SIZE and SHAPE
Items smaller than the minimums are not mailable. Items larger than the maximums are termed flats and cost more to mail. Post cards and letters must be rectangular with an aspect ratio (length divided by height) between 1 to 1.3 and 1 to 2.5 to qualify for letter rates.
- Letter-size
Minimum: 5" wide x 3-1/2" high, .007" thick
Maximum: 11-1/2" wide x 6-1/8" high, .25" thick - Flat-size
Minimum: 11-1/2" wide x 6-1/8" high, .25" thick
Maximum: 15" wide x 12" high, .75" thick - Post card
Minimum: 5" wide x 3-1/2" high, .007" thick
Maximum: 4-1/4" wide x 6" high
WEIGHT
The weight limit on a nonprofit letter is 3.2873 ounces (0.2055 lbs.), the regular rate letter weight limit is 3.3087 ounces (0.2068 lbs.). Pieces over these weight limits are mailable at the higher rate for flats.
INDICIA/PERMIT IMPRINT
A block indicating postage has been paid must be printed or imprinted by a meter on each mail piece.
University of Mo. Rolla Mail Services holds a permit (#170) with the U.S. Postal Service to send regular and nonprofit bulk mail. The permit is available for use by all University departments. We deliver Permit 170 mail to the Post Office and maintain an account to pay the postage due on it. Do not deliver your permit mail to the Post Office; it must go through Mail Service and have the proper forms signed and submitted.
When you send permit mail to us, include a mail card that has your MO CODE and People Soft Account Number and a UM 48 form for labor charges.
Nonprofit Standard (Bulk) mailings indicia.
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 170
ROLLA MO
You may use the First Class indicia for a single mailing that consists of not less than 200 pieces identical in size and weight.
FIRST CLASS
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 170
ROLLA MO