Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service Domestic Mail Manual > 200 Commercial Letters, Flats, and ParcelsDesignStandards > 201 Physical Standards > 202 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece Show
202 Elements on the Face of a MailpieceOverview 1.0 All Mailpieces 2.0 Address Placement 3.0 Placement and Content of Mail Markings 4.0 Placement and Physical Standards for Endorsements 5.0 Barcode Placement Letters and Flats 6.0 Barcode Placement for Parcels 7.0 Repositionable Notes (RPNs) 8.0 Facing Identification Mark (FIM) 1.0 All Mailpieces1.1 Clear SpaceA clear space must be available on all mail for the address, postage (postmarks), endorsements, and other mail markings (i.e., extra service label or form). 1.2 Delivery and Return AddressThe delivery address specifies the location to which the USPS is to deliver a mailpiece. Except for mail prepared with detached address labels (DALs) or detached marketing labels (DMLs) under 602.4.0, the piece must have the address of the intended recipient, visible and legible, only on the side of the piece bearing postage. (Periodicals do not display postage and the address may appear on either side). Use at least 8-point type (each character must be at least 0.080 inch high). A sans-serif font is preferred. Addresses printed in all capital letters are also preferred. A return address is required in specific circumstances (see 4.2 and 602.1.5 for more information about return addresses). See 602 for additional information regarding addressing.) 1.3 Postage PaymentThe mailer is responsible for proper payment of postage. Standards for postage payment are specified for each shape and class of mail. 2.0 Address Placement2.1 LettersThe location of the delivery address on a letter-size mailpiece determines which dimensions are the length and height of the piece. The length is the dimension parallel to the address as read; the height is the dimension perpendicular to the length. Consequently, the placement of the address may render a piece nonmailable or nonmachinable (see 601.1.1.3). See 601.6.3 for addressing standards when a window envelope is used. On a letter-size piece, the recommended address placement is within the optical character reader (OCR) read area, which is a space on the address side of the mailpiece defined by these boundaries (see Exhibit 2.1):
Exhibit 2.1 OCR Read Area Exhibit 202.2.1 2.2 Flats2.2.1 Basic StandardsOn all Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flats mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route prices, mailers must place the delivery address at least 1/8 inch from any edge of the mailpiece. For the purposes of these standards, the “delivery address” is the recipient’s name or other identification; the company information line; the street and number, and any necessary secondary information; and the city, state, and ZIP Code. The delivery address may appear on the front or the back of the mailpiece (but must be on the side bearing postage, except for Periodicals), parallel or perpendicular to the top edge, but it cannot be upside down as read in relation to the top edge. See 2.2.2 for additional standards for enveloped or polywrapped pieces, and card-style pieces; and 2.2.3 for bound or folded pieces not in envelopes or polywrap. See 601.6.3 for addressing standards when a window envelope is used. 2.2.2 Address Placement on Enveloped or Polywrapped PiecesThe following standards apply to enveloped, polywrapped, or card-type Periodicals (including shrinkwrapped Firm bundles), USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route prices (for examples, see Customer Support Ruling PS-352.):
The following standards apply to bound or folded (see 2.2.2 for all card-type pieces), Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route prices not in envelopes or polywrap (for examples, see Customer Support Ruling PS-352.):
On all First-Class Mail, Periodicals, USPS Marketing Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail flat-size pieces mailed at presorted, automation, or carrier route prices, mailers must print the delivery address using at least 8-point type (each character must be at least 0.080 inch high). A sans serif font is preferred. Addresses printed in all capital letters are also preferred. These additional standards apply to automation pieces:
3.0 Placement and Content of Mail Markings3.1 EnclosuresEnclosures, attachments, and mixed price mailpieces must be marked under the applicable standards in 703.9.0 and 705.18.0. 3.2 Printing and DesignsRequired markings may be printed by a postage meter or other means that ensures a legible marking. A marking may not include or be part of a decorative design or advertisement. 3.3 Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Markings3.3.1 Priority Mail ExpressPriority Mail Express pieces must be marked “Priority Mail Express,” by using a mailing label according to 215.2.1 [9-12-22] Priority Mail pieces must have the basic price marking of “Priority Mail” printed in a prominent location on the address side. If shipping address labels are used, it is recommended that they contain the Priority Mail service indicator composed of two elements, the service icon and service banner (see Exhibit 3.3.2 and the Parcel Labeling Guide on the PostalPro website at postalpro.usps.com/parcellabelingguide):
Exhibit 3.3.2 Priority Mail Service Indicator 3.3.3 Additional Markings for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail In addition to the basic price marking in 3.3.1 and 3.3.2, except for pieces paid using a USPS Corporate Account, USPS Returns service, or permit imprint, Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail pieces claimed at Commercial Base or Commercial Plus prices also must bear the appropriate commercial price marking, printed on the piece or produced as part of the meter imprint or PC Postage indicia. Place the commercial price marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. Markings are as follows:
3.4 [7-10-22] Priority Mail Cubic Markings3.4.1 Price Marking—Postage Evidencing SystemsPriority Mail pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Priority Mail” and bear the applicable marking that reflects the correct price tier printed on the piece or produced as part of the postage indicia. The cubic tiers are determined by the cubic measurement of each mailpiece up to the defined threshold, (for example, measurements from .01 up to .10 for “Cubic .10” and from .101 up to .20 for “Cubic .20”). Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. Approved markings are as follows:
Priority Mail permit imprint pieces claiming the Commercial Plus cubic price must be marked “Priority Mail” and bear the “cubic” marking (see 3.4.3 for soft pack and padded envelopes), printed on the piece or produced as part of the permit imprint indicia. Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. The approved marking is “Cubic” (or “CUBIC,” or “cubic”). 3.4.3 Soft Pack and Padded Envelope MarkingsRegardless of the postage payment method used, soft pack and padded envelopes must be marked “Priority Mail” in addition to the tier price markings in 3.4.1 and the dimensions (length and width) of the original packaging. Place the markings directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. 3.5 First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail Markings[9-12-22] 3.5.1 Types of MarkingsMailpieces must be marked under the corresponding standards to show the class of service and/or price paid:
Mailpieces bearing references to expedited handling or delivery (e.g., “Urgent,” “Rush Delivery,” “Time Sensitive”) meet the requirements under 604.5.3.5. 3.6 First-Class Package Service — Commercial Markings[9-12-22] The basic required price marking must be placed in the postage area (printed or produced as part of, or directly below or to the left of, the permit imprint indicia or meter stamp or impression). Optionally, the basic required price marking may be printed on a shipping address label as a service indicator composed of a service icon and service banner. 3.7 Parcel Select, Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail, and Library Mail Markings3.7.1 Basic Markings[1-9-22] The basic required marking (i.e., “Parcel Select”, “Parcel Select Lightweight”, “USPS Connect Local”,“Bound Printed Matter”, “Media Mail”, “Library Mail”) must be printed on each piece claimed at the respective price. The basic required marking must be placed in the postage area (printed or produced as part of, or directly below or to the left of, the permit imprint indicia or meter stamp or impression). Optionally, the basic required marking may be printed on the shipping address label as service indicators composed of a service icon and service banner (see Exhibit 3.7.1):
Exhibit 3.7.1 Marking Indicator Examples 3.7.2 Parcel Select MarkingsEach piece in a Parcel Select mailing must bear a price marking. Markings must appear in either the postage area described in 3.7.1 or in the address area on the line directly above or two lines above the address if the marking appears alone (when no other information appears on that line). The “USPS Retail Ground” marking is not allowed on any Parcel Select mailpiece. The following product markings are required: [1-9-22]
[1-9-22] 3.7.3 USPS Connect LocalIn addition to the basic marking “USPS Connect Local”, each piece of USPS Connect Local must bear the 5-digit ZIP Code of the local mailing Post Office (i.e., USPS Connect Local — 12345) additional price marking. For USPS Connect Local Sunday delivery, in addition to the 5-digit ZIP Code additional price marking, the piece must include the marking “SUN” (i.e., USPS Connect Local — 12345 SUN). 3.7.4 Bound Printed Matter MarkingsIn addition to the basic marking “Bound Printed Matter” or “BPM,” each piece of Bound Printed Matter mailed at a presorted or carrier route price must bear additional price markings. The additional markings may be placed in the postage area as specified in 3.7.1. Alternatively, these markings may be placed in the address area on the line directly above or two lines above the address if the marking appears alone, or if no other information appears on the line with the marking except postal optional endorsement line information under 203.7.0 or postal carrier route bundle information under 204.3.0. The additional price markings are:
When a Bound Printed Matter machinable parcel consists of multiple pieces for a single address secured with transparent shrinkwrap, the delivery address information and barcoded pressure-sensitive Label F or firm optional endorsement line must be visible and readable by the naked eye. Mailers must label the parcel using one of the following options:
Each piece of Media Mail or Library Mail mailed at a presorted price must bear the required marking “Presorted” or “PRSRT” in addition to the basic marking “Media Mail” or “Library Mail,” as applicable. This additional marking may be placed in the postage area specified in 3.7.1. Alternatively, these markings may be placed in the address area on the line directly above or two lines above the address if the marking appears alone or if no other information appears on the line with the marking except postal optional endorsement line information under 203.7.0. [7-10-22] 3.8 Parcel Select Ground Cubic Markings3.8.1 Price Marking — Postage Evidencing SystemsParcel Select Ground pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” and bear the applicable marking that reflects the correct price tier printed on the piece or produced as part of the postage indicia. The cubic tiers are determined by the cubic measurement of each mailpiece up to the defined threshold, (for example, measurements from .01 up to .10 for “Cubic .10” and from .101 up to .20 for “Cubic .20”). Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. Approved markings are as follows:
Parcel Select Ground permit imprint pieces priced at the cubic price must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” and bear the “cubic” marking printed on the piece or produced as part of the permit imprint indicia. Place the marking directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. The approved marking is “Cubic” (or “CUBIC,” or “cubic”). 3.8.3 Soft-Pack and Padded-Envelope MarkingsRegardless of the postage-payment method used, soft pack and padded envelopes must be marked “Parcel Select Ground” in addition to the tier-price markings in 3.8.1 and the dimensions (length and width) of the original packaging. Place the markings directly above, directly below, or to the left of the postage. 3.9 Exceptions to MarkingsExceptions are as follows:
3.10 Marking Hazardous MaterialsAll mailable hazardous materials must be labeled and/or marked as required in Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail. 4.0 Placement and Physical Standards for Endorsements4.1 Endorsements for Delivery Instructions and Ancillary ServicesThe mailer must place the correct endorsement on each mailpiece to provide delivery instructions (retention period under 507.4.3.4, or carrier release under 4.3c) or to request an ancillary service (forwarding, return, or address correction under 507.1.0), subject to the corresponding standards for use and availability. 4.2 Return AddressWhen a printed ancillary service endorsement is used, or a request is embedded within an Intelligent Mail barcode, a domestic return address must be placed in the upper left corner of the address side of the mailpiece or the upper left corner of the addressing area. If the return address is a multiple delivery address, it must show a unit designator (e.g., an apartment number). 4.3 Placement of EndorsementPlacement of the endorsement on the mailpiece is determined as follows:
4.4 Physical Standards for EndorsementsThe endorsement or, if combined, endorsements must meet these physical standards:
5.0 Barcode Placement Letters and Flats5.1 Letter-Size5.1.1 Barcode Clear ZoneEach reference to letter or letter-size piece in 5.0 includes both letters and postcards. Each letter-size piece in a machinable price, automation price, or an Enhanced Carrier Route mailing at automation letter prices, must have a barcode clear zone unless the piece bears an Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code (see 204.1.2) in the address block. The barcode clear zone and all printing and material in the clear zone must meet the reflectance standards in 204.1.3. The barcode clear zone is a rectangular area in the lower right corner of the address side of cards and letter-size pieces defined by these boundaries:
Each automation price letter and each letter claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route automation saturation or high density letter prices must bear an Intelligent Mail barcode with a correct delivery point routing code. A nonautomation letter may bear an Intelligent Mail barcode under 204.1.0. Mailers must print the barcode either in the address block or in the barcode clear zone as provided in 5.1.3 and 5.1.4, except for pieces that weigh more than 3.5 ounces which must include the Intelligent Mail barcode with the correct delivery point routing code in the address block. See 5.3 when placing barcodes in the address block. 5.1.3 Barcode on a MailpieceIf an Intelligent Mail barcode with the correct delivery point routing code is printed directly on the mailpiece in the lower right corner, the entire barcode must be within the barcode read area defined by these limits:
An automation letter or a letter claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route saturation or high density automation letter prices may not bear a 5-digit or ZIP+4 Intelligent Mail barcode in the lower right corner (barcode clear zone). The piece may bear an additional Intelligent Mail barcode in the address block only if a qualifying Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code appears in the lower right corner. 5.1.5 Business Reply MailFor Business Reply Mail under 505.1.0, a ZIP+4 Intelligent Mail barcode may appear in the address block when printed directly on the mailpiece, printed on an insert that appears through a window, or on an address label affixed directly to the piece; or it may appear in the lower right corner either printed directly on the mailpiece or on an insert that appears through a window. 5.2 Flat-Size5.2.1 Barcode Placement for FlatsOn any flat-size piece claimed at automation prices, the piece must bear an Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code. The barcode may be anywhere on the address side as long as it is at least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece. The portion of the surface of the piece on which the Intelligent Mail barcode is printed must meet the barcode dimensions and spacing requirements in 204.1.0. Intelligent Mail barcodes are subject to standards in 204.1.3.2. An additional Intelligent Mail barcode may also appear in the address block of an automation flat, when the qualifying Intelligent Mail barcode is not in the address block. Other non-USPS barcodes may appear on the address side of a flat if the barcode format is not discernable to automated postal flat-sorting equipment. 5.2.2 Delivery Point Routing Code Numeric EquivalentIn automation mailings only, the numbers corresponding to the delivery point routing code may appear in the delivery address. If read from left to right: a correct numeric equivalent consists of five digits, a hyphen, and six digits. 5.3 Barcode in Address BlockWhen the barcode is included as part of the address block:
5.4 Barcode on Insert in Barcode WindowIf the barcode is printed on an insert to appear through a barcode window in the lower right corner of an envelope:
5.5 Edges of Barcode WindowThe edges of the barcode window must meet these criteria:
5.6 Window ConstructionA barcode window must extend fully to the bottom edge of the envelope, must be of wraparound construction, and must be covered subject to 5.7. 5.7 Window CoverThe window cover must be of a nontinted clear or transparent material (e.g., cellophane or polystyrene) that permits the barcode and its background, as viewed through the window material, to meet the reflectance standards in 204.1.4. The edges of the window cover must be securely glued to the envelope. 6.0 Barcode Placement for Parcels6.1 GS1-128 Routing Barcode or Intelligent Mail Package Barcode LocationThe address and barcode (see 204.2.0) must be placed squarely onto the largest surface area of the parcel, except when its shape and contents requires specific orientation for stability during processing; then the address and barcode(s) must be placed on the top. The address and barcode label(s) must not overlap any side of the parcel or other label. The barcode should be placed immediately adjacent to the delivery address and at least 1 inch from the edge of the parcel. The delivery address and barcode may be printed on an attachment or enclosure in a window envelope affixed to the parcel, subject to the reflectance standards in 204.2.2.8. The barcode may be placed on a separate label or in an alternate location on the address label, subject to the clearance standards in 6.2. Barcodes that are not placed immediately adjacent to the delivery address must not encroach the return address, postage, applicable markings, endorsements, and extra service labels. Intelligent Mail package barcodes (see 204.2.0) may be used in lieu of GS1-128 routing barcodes, following the same placement standards. 6.2 Clear Zone for GS1-128 Routing Barcode or Intelligent Mail Package BarcodeThe barcode must be located as specified in 6.1. No printing may appear in an area 1/8 inch above and below the barcode. A minimum clear (quiet) zone equal to 10 times the average measured narrow element (bars or space) width must be maintained to the left and right of the barcode. 6.3 Intelligent Mail BarcodesIntelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) do not meet barcode eligibility requirements for parcels and do not qualify for any barcode-related prices for parcels, but one barcode may be included only in the address block on a parcel, except on eVS parcels. An Intelligent Mail barcode in the address block must be placed according to 5.3. 7.0 Repositionable Notes (RPNs)7.1 UseRPNs are not assessed a fee when used, and must meet all of the following standards:
Exhibit 7.1b Placing RPNs on Letters
7.2 Mailpiece CharacteristicsEach mailpiece must:
7.3 RPN CharacteristicsRPNs must:
Exhibit 7.3g1 Placing RPNs on Flats—Address Side
Exhibit 7.3g2 Placing RPNs on Flats—Nonaddress Side 7.4 RPNs on Automation-Price Mailpieces7.4.1 Letter-Size MailpiecesLetter-size mailpieces with RPNs claiming automation prices must meet the standards in 7.1 through 7.3, 201.3.0, and the following additional standards:
Flat-size mailpieces with RPNs claiming automation prices must meet the standards in 1.0 through 3.0 and 201.6.0. 7.5 ComplianceMailers must comply as follows:
8.0 Facing Identification Mark (FIM)8.1 Using FIMsThe facing identification mark (FIM) serves to orient and separate certain types of First-Class Mail during the facing-canceling process. Mailers must use the appropriate FIM as follows:
8.2 PatternThe FIM pattern is a nine-bit binary code represented by vertical bars (with corresponding space element). A printed bar is considered binary 1; a nonprinted bar (placeholder), binary 0. The required FIM pattern as shown in Exhibit 8.2.0 below depends on the type of mail and the presence of an Intelligent Mail barcode as follows:
Exhibit 8.2.0 FIM Patterns (Patterns not drawn to scale)
8.3 SpecificationThe FIM must meet these specifications:
Exhibit 8.3.0 Position of FIM 8.4 Dimensional TolerancesExtraneous ink must not cause a FIM bar to exceed the specifications in 8.3. The combined effects of positional skew (slant of the entire FIM) and rotational skew (slant of the individual FIM bars) must be limited to ±5 degrees from the perpendicular edge of the printed FIM to the top edge of the mailpiece. Mail required to bear a FIM is considered nonmailable when the FIM has insufficient ink coverage, improper measurement, or ink in the space between the bars or when the FIM is enlarged or reduced. Camera-ready positives of FIMs, which must not be enlarged or reduced, are available at no charge from the USPS. 8.5 ReflectanceThere must be at least a 30% print reflectance difference between the ink used for printing the FIM and the background material on which the FIM is printed in the red and green portions of the optical spectrum when measured with a USPS or USPS-licensed envelope reflectance meter. Where in a professional letter are special or urgent delivery notations such as certified mail types?Special Notations
Type these notations in all capital letters. The special notations "Personal" and "Confidential" are usually placed to the upper left of the addressee's name, whereas “Certified,” “Registered,” or "Special Delivery" are placed to the upper right.
Which type of mail delivery is used for sending an item that is valuable?Priority Mail Express®
Letters, large or thick envelopes, tubes, and packages containing mailable items can be sent using Priority Mail Express. This money-back guaranteed service includes tracking and insurance up to $100. Additional merchandise insurance up to $5,000 may be purchased.
Which of the following are included in the notation section of a business letter?Chapter 9. Which mail delivery service requires the postal carrier to obtain a signature when the item is delivered?Some pieces of mail require a signature from the recipient at the time of delivery. This includes items sent with Priority Mail Express (if requested), Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery, Insured Mail (over $500), Registered Mail, Return Receipt, Signature Confirmation, and Adult Signature.
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