Tom Kubinski
Printing Consultant
tkubinski@sextonprinting.com
Direct: (651) 255-1225
Fax: (651) 457-7040
Cell: (612) 760-3700

Mary Albers
Customer Service
mkc@sextonprinting.com
Direct: (651) 255-1255


www.sextonprinting.com
250 East Lothenbach Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55118
Phone: (651) 457-9255
Fax: (651) 457-7040
Toll Free: (800) 388-2914


Branding - 22 Laws Of
Brand Warfare
Creative Coatings Techniques
Desktop Techniques
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Direct Mail Raise Response, Lower Costs
Duotones-Tritones-Quadtones
FSC Certification
In House Mailing Capabilities
Ink Tour
Paper Mill Tour
Picking the Right Paper
PDF Formats
PDF Info & Quark vs. InDesign
Postal Increases & Requirement Changes
Post it to the Web vs. Print
Press Check Tips
Save Disk Space
Top File Issues
UV Burn
Ways to Save Money
What Sets Sexton Apart?
Why Work With TK?

January 2006 TK's Korner

Jan 8th, 2006 Postal Increase & Mailing Requirements

I hope you had a great Holiday Season. What a way to start the new year. The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service voted to accept the Postal Rate Commissioners recommendations to increase most postal rates/fees approximately 5.4% accross the board and effective January 8th, 2006.

Note: These rates often change. Check the US Postal Service website for the current rates.

Selected Rate Changes
 CurrentNew
First-Class Letter (1 oz.)37¢39¢
First-Class Letter (2 oz.)60¢63¢
Postcard (up to 4.25" x 6")23¢24¢
Priority Mail (1 lb.)$3.85$4.05
Express Mail (1/2 lb)$13.65$14.40
Express Mail (2 lb)$17.85$18.80


Fee and Service Changes
 CurrentNew
Certified Mail$2.30$2.40
Delivery Confirmation (Priority)45¢50¢
Delivery Confirmation (First Class Parcels)55¢60¢
Return Receipt (Original Signature)$1.75$1.85
Return Receipt (Electronic)$1.30 $1.35
Money Orders (up to $500)90¢95¢


For additional information, please visit the Postal Service web site http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2005/pr05_097.htm.

What You Can Do
Many of you are probably wondering, "What does this mean to me?"

Surprisingly, I have found that sometimes even the Postal workers fail to interpret regulations or process mail consistently! Since it is difficult to keep up to speed on changing USPS regulations, I have listed some of them in a quick read format below. I hope it helps you sort them out.

Before you begin, make sure that your design complies with the applicable regulations in order to avoid posatge surcharges or rejected mail. Once you have a dummy made up, take it down to MPLS Post Office (see either Patti White or Wayne Detzler) or the St Paul Post Office (see Karl Ermisch) for approval. Make sure a manager actually signs and dates it.

Some phone numbers for reference:
Mail Piece Design-
    Minneapolis: (612)-349-4945, (612)-349-3546
    St. Paul: (651)-293-3096,
Mailing Requirements-
    Minneapolis: (612)-349-4739
    St. Paul: (651)-293-3177
Permit Information-
    Minneapolis: (612)-349-4740
    St Paul: (651)-293-3261

Number of different classifications:

  1. First-Class (single piece) & Presorted First-Class (barcoded = more postage discounts)
  2. Standard Mail & Non-Profit Standard Mail
  3. Periodical s-Regular & Non-Profit-Publications issued at regular intervals requiring a special publication number
  4. Bound Printed Matter-which is 1 lb. and over
  5. Others
For all the below specifics, you can enter http://pe.usps.gov then enter in what you want to search for.

Specifications for First-Class, Standard, Periodical:

  1. First-Class - Automation & Machinable Mail Specifications -- 115k pdf
  2. Standard - Automation & Machinable Mail Specifications -- 116k pdf
  3. Periodical - Automation & Machinable Mail Specifications -- 106k pdf
Physical Standards for Automation-Compatible Mail:
Quick Service Guide 201a

P lacement of Tabs & Wafer Seals:
Quick Service Guide 201b

Automated Flat Sorting Machine (AFMS) 100
& Flat Sorting Machine (FMS) 1000
:
Quick Service Guide 301a

Business Reply Mail Layout Guidelines:
Quick Service Guide 507a

Courtesy Reply Mail Layout Guidelines:
Quick Service Guide 507b

Meter Reply Mail Layout Guidelines:
Quick Service Guide 507c

Pricing or per piece rate, will greatly depend on the piece itself (size, weight, design etc), zip code concentration etc. Usually this is a range of per piece prices based on the above.

Also see earlier issue of TK's Korner entitled In House Mailing Capabilities, and Direct Mail-How to Make it Stand Out, they should be helpful in other areas.

Stay tuned for the next TK's Korner. You never know what might be covered??.

Referrals are greatly appreciated. If you know someone who I should contact, please let me know.

If you would like to join me on one of our upcoming tours, if there is something that you would like me to address, or if you know of someone who might like to receive TK's Korner, please let me know via e-mail at tkubinski@sextonprinting.com or phone. Take care and have a great day.

Successfully,
Tom Kubinski-Printing Consultant