Tom Kubinski Mary Albers www.sextonprinting.com
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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
Fee and Service Changes
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 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: Number of different classifications:
Specifications for First-Class, Standard, Periodical:
Quick Service Guide 201a
P
lacement of Tabs & Wafer Seals:
Automated Flat Sorting Machine (AFMS) 100
Business Reply Mail Layout Guidelines:
Courtesy Reply Mail Layout Guidelines:
Meter Reply Mail Layout Guidelines: 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. Successfully, |