10 Critical Questions for Your Next Print and Mail RFP

Postcard Design Guidelines

Postcards will need to be the proper size and designed in a manner that adheres to USPS guidelines.

Size Requirements:

All postcards need to be a minimum of 3.5” high x 5” long and rectangular in shape.

To qualify for postcard First Class postage rates, your piece can be no larger than 4.25” high by 6” long, which makes our 4” x 6” postcards an ideal choice when you want to save on printing and qualify for discounted First Class postage.

To qualify for letter postage rates, all postcards must be no larger than 6.125" x 11.5.”

Postcards larger than 6.125” x 11.5” mail at flat rates, which is more expensive than letter rate postage. In order to save on postage, we recommend mailing cards that are smaller than this size.

Clear zones, mail panels, indicia, and return address placement:

The USPS requires certain clear zones be included in the design of all postcards in order to leave room for indicia, the recipient address area, and barcode placement.

While the Postal Service has created very technical (and complicated!) rules for these clear zones, there are some simple guidelines that will allow your design to adhere to these requirements:

On the back of your postcard, leave approximately a 1” blank square on the right hand side for indicia. We recommend allowing U.S. Press to place this indicia on the piece for you.

On the back of your postcard, leave a 3.75” long by 2.25” high clear zone (blank white space, no ink) in the bottom right hand corner. This is where we will address your pieces, as well as where USPS will place their barcode markings. We call this the mail panel.

If you plan on adding a return address to your postcards, then it should be placed above the mail panel. Most commonly, the return address is placed at the top of the card to the left hand side of the indicia. Postcards need a return address if a return service is requested (which is automatically included for First Class Mail and optional for Marketing / Standard Mail).

Brochure Design Guidelines

Like postcards, brochures and other folded pieces (called self-mailers) must adhere to specific USPS requirements. Brochures are processed the same way as postcards (the “length” is the longer two sides, “height” is the shorter two) and all addresses, postal indicia, etc. must be applied accordingly.

Size requirements:

Brochures or other folded pieces must be rectangular in shape.

To qualify for letter rates, they must be a minimum of 3.5” high but no larger than 6” high when folded. They must be a minimum of 5” long but no larger than 10.5” long when folded.

Brochures larger than these requirements are subject to surcharge fees.

Clear zones, mail panels, indicia, and return address placement:

USPS requires certain clear zones be included in the design of all brochures in order to leave room for indicia, the recipient address area, and barcode placement.

Here are some simple guidelines that will allow your brochure design to adhere to these requirements:

On the back middle panel of your brochure, leave approximately a 1” blank square on the right hand side for indicia. We recommend allowing U.S. Press to place this indicia on the piece for you.

On the back middle panel of your brochure, leave a 3.75” long by 2.25” high clear zone (blank white space, no ink) in the bottom right hand corner. This is where we will address your pieces, as well as where USPS will place their barcode markings. We call this the mail panel.

If you plan on adding a return address to your brochures, then it should be placed above the mail panel.

USPS require wafer seals (tabs) to be added to your folded mailers in order to seal them. Folded pieces without binding/stitching will have two tabs placed on the open side (top) of your mail piece. U.S. Press will apply these tabs for you when you utilize our mail services.

Booklet/Catalog Design Guidelines

Booklets and catalogs must also adhere to specific USPS requirements.

Size requirements:

All booklets and catalogs must be rectangular in shape.

To qualify for letter rates, they must a minimum of 3.5” high but no larger than 6” high. They must be a minimum of 5” long but no larger than 10.5” long.

Booklets larger than these dimensions are subject to flat rate postage.

Clear zones, mail panels, indicia, and return address placement:

USPS requires certain clear zones be included in the design of all booklets and catalogs in order to leave room for indicia, the recipient address area, and barcode placement.

Here are some simple guidelines that will allow your booklet design to adhere to these requirements:

On the back page of your booklet, leave approximately a 1” blank square on the right hand side for indicia. We recommend allowing U.S. Press to place this indicia on the piece for you.

Leave a clear zone (blank white space, no ink) that measures 3.75” wide by 2.25” tall. This area must be on the top half of the booklet, front or back page, with the spine on the right. This is where we will address your pieces, as well as where USPS will place their barcode markings. We call this the mail panel.

If you plan on adding a return address to your booklets, then it should be placed above the mail panel.

USPS require wafer seals (tabs) to be added to your booklets and catalogs in order to seal them. U.S. Press will apply these tabs for you when you utilize our mail services.

Processing of Mail Lists

Before your mailing is addressed, U.S. Press will run your mail list(s) through specialized USPS-approved software that checks each and every address for accuracy and validity to ensure proper mail delivery. In addition, your database will be cross-checked against the National Change of Address (NCOA) database.

Payment of Postage

In all cases, postage must be paid in advance of mailing. U.S. Press requires payment of postage at least three days in advance of the mail date. Your U.S. Press representative will provide complete details for payment of postage to insure timely mailing of your project.