On December 1, 2011, revised mailing standards applicable to Folded Self Mailers (FSM) were presented in a Federal Notice of Final Rules by the Postal Service. These revised standards will become effective on January 5, 2013.
The initial proposal which was first presented on April of 2011 was intended to improve the design of FSMs for compatibility with the automation process. The final revisions came as a result of a 2 year collaboration between the Postal Service and the mailing industry. A wide variety of letter-sized mailers were tested for automation compatibility and the Postal Service received 51 comments from various mailers. These comments were considered and became influential in modifying the original proposal.
Mailers’ comments range from a total abandonment of the proposed changes due to the economy, the lack of available equipment to handle the changes and the cost already incurred for previously designed and produced mail piece to concerns about the type of tabs used to seal FSMs, the thickness, the number of panels, the weight of the paper, and the size, to name a few.
The following are some important rules that will soon be applied to letter sized automated FSMs.
For oblong Self Mailers, the final fold must be the leading edge
There is also new language that pertains to design elements of the FSM such as attachments, loose enclosures, perforations and die-cuts.
The Postal Service is recommending that mailers begin to take necessary steps to make the transition, although they are not expected to comply until the announced date. Failure to meet the new requirements could result to higher postal charges. Here is a link to the United States Postal Service publication regarding the new self mailer rules.
The U.S. Mailing House can assist in making certain that these new requirements are met when designing your FSM. They also offer an alternative mail piece called the snap mailer. The snap mailer can be a letter-sized mailer just like a self-mailer but has 4 sealed and perforated sides. The snap mailer is opened by tearing or snapping off the perforated sides, hence the name and eliminating the use of any sealer or glue that could interfere with the Postal Service’s automation machines.
The U.S. Mailing House provides a variety of self mailers that can be customized to meet your individual direct marketing needs. if you have any questions regarding these new regulations or you would like us to double check your mail piece design before you go to press feel free to give us a call at (800) 784-5194. One of our direct mail design consultants will be happy to check over your mail piece to ensure it complies with the latest United States Postal Service regulations.