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Postal Rate of 2007 (Easy Rate Postage Chart, PDF)
While this postal rate change might scare some, we came up with a way to make it work in a positive way. We need to review the way the mail is designed and printed. So, let’s take this chance to see how we might be able to decrease postage costs by making some design adjustments.
This method is changing rates by using the shape of a mail piece to accommodate the postal machines that have been changing over the years. It makes sense for the post office to make this type of adjustment. How can this rate change make sense to the mailers? Obviously, by changing the shapes of mailing pieces if necessary!
Most of the mail is classified in 3 shapes, each one with minimum and maximum sizes:
- Card-size: min. 3-1/2 x 5” and max. 4-1/4 x 6” (card -size is only for 1st class mail);
- Letter-size: min. 3-1/2 x 5” and max. 6-1/8 x 11-1/2”;
- Flat-size: over letter-size.
The flat-size shape is increasing dramatically. For example (*), for a basic 2 ozs flat-size automation piece:
Estimated postage |
Old Rate |
New Rate |
Increase (%) |
Letter-size new rate compare |
Letter-size Decrease (%) comparing to the old flat-size rate |
Letter-size Decrease (%) comparing to the new flat-size rate |
1st class |
.63 |
.97 |
+ 54% |
.58 |
- 8 % |
- 40 % |
Presort 1st class |
.563 |
.856 |
+ 52% |
.485 |
- 14 % |
- 43 % |
Standard regular |
.316 |
.477 |
+ 51% |
.252 |
- 20 % |
- 47 % |
Standard non-profit |
.195 |
.354 |
+ 81% |
.161 |
- 17 % |
- 54 % |
Based on these figures, you can understand why changing the shape of a 9x12” newsletter to 6-1/8x11-1/2” may make sense. You will need a few extra pages to cover the same information as now, but on standard bulk mail, it becomes almost a necessity.
Some Postage rates will actually decrease for:
- First-class mail (basic and presorted rates)
- Letter-size over 1 oz.
- Flat size over 6 ozs.
High Postage increases for:
- Flat-size up to 6 ozs (very high increase…see rate card)
To win from this rate increase, your mail piece may need to be adjusted in shape to meet:
- First-class mail
- For up to 3.5 ozs, design your piece to be a letter-size mailer
- Over 3.5 ozs, make sure it stays a flat-size and does not become a parcel
- If you can, make it an automation compatible piece that we can barcode
- Standard bulk mail
- For up to 3.3 ozs, change the shape to a letter-size piece
- Over 3.5 ozs, a fat size is usually the only option
- Design your piece so we can automate it with a barcode
Please, contact Direct Mail Center to review the shape of your mail piece
(*) This is just a scenario made to show the seriousness of the increase and the possibility to reduce postage by changing the shape.
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