Physical Standards for Commercial Letters and Postcards
Overview
- Write a postcard of about 50 words about your holiday in a city
- Greetings from the SmithsonianA Postcard History
- Relevant, not a relic: After almost 75 years, Current continues to send greetings from Colorado Springs
- What To Write On A Wedding Gift Envelope?
- How to Make a Pop Up Easter Card -Easy Easter Craft for Kids
Card Dimensions
You are watching: 201 Quick Service Guide
Minimum
Maximum
Length
5 inches
9 inches
Height
3-1/2 inches
6 inches
Thickness
0.007 inch
0.016 inch
Letter Dimensions
Minimum
Maximum
Length
5 inches
11-1/2 inches
Height
3-1/2 inches
6-1/8 inches
Thickness
0.007 inch
1/4 inch
Mailpieces are classified by shape and by the way they are prepared. These classifications are based on how efficiently mailpieces can be processed on Postal Service equipment. The Postal Service classifies letters and cards into one of three categories: machinable, nonmachinable, and automation. For the purposes of determining mailability or machinabilty, the length is the dimension parallel to the address as read (601.1.1.2).
Machinable Letters and Cards (201.1.0)
To be “machinable” and eligible for “presort” prices, letters and cards must have an accurate address and be able to be processed on Postal Service equipment. Machinable mailpieces must meet specific standards, including size, shape, and weight.
Maximum weight: First-Class Mail, machinable letters and USPS Marketing Mail machinable letters: 3.5 ounces, Periodicals letters: 3.5 ounces.
Machinable letters must not meet any of the nonmachinable characteristics (201.2.0).
Dimensions:
- Minimum: 5 inches long, 3-1/2 inches high, and 0.007 inch thick. For letter-size pieces 0.009 inch thick if more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long, or both.
- Maximum for First-Class Mail card prices: 9 inches long, 6 inches high, and 0.016 inch thick.
- Maximum for letters and other cards: 11-1/2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, and 1/4 inch thick.
- Rectangular, with four square corners and parallel opposite sides. Letter-size, card-type mailpieces made of cardstock may have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 1/8 inch.
Nonmachinable Letters (201.2.0)
Maximum weight: First-Class Mail and Periodicals nonmachinable letters 3.5 ounces; USPS Marketing Mail nonmachinable letters; less than 16 ounces.
- Presorted First-Class Mail letters are subject to a nonmachinable surcharge if they meet any of the characteristics in 201.2.1. Larger postcards must meet the required aspect ratio.
- USPS Marketing Mail letters that have one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics in 201.2.1 are subject to the nonmachinable letter prices in 243.1.3.
Examples of a nonmachinable letter include:
- It has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 (a square envelope has an aspect ratio of 1, making it nonmachinable).
- It is more than 4-1/4 inches high or more than 6 inches long and is less than 0.009 inch thick.
- It has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
- It is too rigid.
- It has a delivery address parallel to the shorter side of the mailpiece.
- It contains items such as pens, pencils, or keys that create an uneven thickness.
- Letters with nonpaper surfaces, other than envelope windows or attachments that are allowed under eligibility standards by class of mail.
Automation Letters and Cards (201.3.0)
Letter-size mailpieces that are machinable and display the correct delivery point barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode may qualify for lower “automation” prices. A letter or card meets automation standards and qualifies for automation prices if it meets the specific addressing, barcoding, and design standards.
For additional information, see:
- Quick Service Guide 201a, Designing Letters and Cards for Automated Processing.
- Quick Service Guide 201b, Using Tabs, Wafer Seals, and Glue Strips.
Maximum weight:
- First-Class Mail automation letters: 3.5 ounces.
- Periodicals automation letters: 3.5 ounces.
- USPS Marketing Mail automation letters and carrier route letters: 3.5 ounces.
- See 201.3.6 for heavy letter mail weighing over 3 ounces.
Read more : Christmas Cards
Shape: rectangular. Aspect ratio (length divided by height): 1.3 to 2.5 (201.3.7).
Dimensions:
- Minimum: 5 inches long, 3-1/2 inches high, and 0.007 inch thick. For letter-size and postcard pieces 0.009 inch thick if more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long, or both.
- Maximum for First-Class Mail card prices: 6 inches high, 9 inches long, and 0.016 inch thick.
- Maximum for letters and other cards: 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, and 1/4 inch thick.
Length is the dimension parallel to the address as read (601.1.1.2).
All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and meter reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the physical standards for automation letters and cards in 201.3.17.
Quick Service Guides
First-Class Mail
See Quick Service Guides:
230a Nonmachinable Letters
230b Machinable Letters and Cards
230c Automation Letters and Cards
USPS Marketing Mail
See Quick Service Guides:
240a Nonmachinable Letters
240b Machinable Letters
240c Automation Letters
240d Carrier Route Letters
Periodicals
See Quick Service Guides:
207c Nonbarcoded Letters
207e Barcoded (Automation) Letters
Source: https://antiquewolrd.com
Categories: Cards & Envelopes