Postal Rate Primer - Printing Specialists - Thomas Printworks
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All rates effective as of July 14, 2025

Letters

1 oz

Machinable
Basic Single Piece w/Stamp .780
Basic Single Piece w/Meter Imprint .740
Each additional ounce .290
Non-machinable surcharge .490

Automation
Mixed AADC .672
AADC .641
5-Digit Presort .593
Additional oz up to 3.5 oz max N/C

Flats

1 oz or Less

Non-Automation
Basic Single Piece 1.630
Presorted 1.540

Automation
Mixed ADC 1.488
ADC 1.331
3-Digit Presort 1.235
5-Digit Presort .970
Each additional ounce .290

Postcards

Sized from 31⁄2" × 5" up to 41⁄4" × 6"

Machinable
Basic Single Piece .610
Presorted .470

Automation
Mixed AADC .462
AADC .445
5-Digit Presort .420
Automation discount on all sizes for using full service IMB option: .003/pc

Letters

None DSCF DDU

Machinable3
Mixed AADC .438 — —
AADC .406 .389 —

Non-Machinable4
Mixed ADC 1.220 — —
ADC 1.110 1.072 —
3-Digit Presort 1.046 1.008 —
5-Digit Presort .869 .831 —

Automation3
Mixed AADC .432 — —
AADC .406 .389 —
5-Digit Presort .371 .354 —

Carrier Route3
Basic1 .364 .347 —
Saturation2 .244 .227 —

Flats

None DSCF DDU

Non-Automation4
Mixed ADC 1.220 — —
ADC 1.110 1.072 —
3-Digit Presort 1.046 1.008 —
5-Digit Presort .869 .831 —

Automation4
Mixed ADC 1.185 — —
ADC 1.101 1.063 —
3-Digit Presort .986 .948 —
5-Digit Presort .770 .732 —

Carrier Route3
Basic .501 .463 .452
Saturation2, 5 .290 .252 .241
Saturation EDDM5 .291 .253 .242
1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .070/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .536
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Letters

None DSCF DDU

Machinable3
Mixed AADC .246 — —
AADC .214 .197 —

Non-Machinable4
Mixed ADC .956 — —
ADC .846 .808 —
3-Digit Presort .782 .846 —
5-Digit Presort .605 .567 —

Automation3
Mixed AADC .240 — —
AADC .214 .197 —
5-Digit Presort .179 .162 —

Carrier Route3
Basic1 .176 .159 —
Saturation2 .156 .139 —

Flats

None DSCF DDU

Non-Automation4
Mixed ADC .995 — —
ADC .845 .807 —
3-Digit Presort .781 .743 —
5-Digit Presort .604 .566 —

Automation4
Mixed ADC .920 — —
ADC .836 .798 —
3-Digit Presort .721 .683 —
5-Digit Presort .505 .467 —

Carrier Route3
Basic .420 .382 .371
Saturation2, 5 .178 .140 .129
Saturation EDDM5 .179 .141 .130
1. Requires Line-of-Travel sortation
2. Requires Walk Sequence sortation
3. For pieces weighing less than 3.5 oz.
4. For pieces weighing less than 4.0 oz.
5. Surcharge for use of detached address labels = .065/pc
Misc: Customized Market Mail .396
NDC: Network Distribution Center
SCF: Sectional Center Facility

Addressing for Automation

How and where addresses are placed on mail pieces is important to efficient mail processing. The template below applies to any letter-size mailer. Any non-address information, such as logos, advertising, etc., should be placed above the delivery address line.

Postal diagram

Business Reply Mail

Annual BRM permit 370.00
Annual accounting fee 1,080.00

Address Correction Service

Mail piece forwarded, notice provided
Manual Notice 0.93 ea
Electronic Notice
First Class 0.21 ea
Other 0.47 ea

Permit Fees

Authorization to use permit imprint (indicia)
Application Fee 370.00
Annual Maintenance Fee 370.00
(per class of mail; separate fees required for First Class and Standard mail)
* Requires payment of annual accounting fee + advance deposit postage account.

Mail Standards

Flats Letters Postcards
Minimum Size 6 1⁄8" × 11 1⁄2" 3 1⁄2" × 5 1⁄2" 3 1⁄2" × 5 1⁄2"
Maximum Size 12" × 15" 6 1⁄8" × 11 1⁄2*" 4 1⁄4" × 6"
Minimum Thickness 0.25" 0.009" 0.007"
Maximum Thickness 0.75" 0.25" 0.016"
* Folded Self-Mailer Maximum Size = 6" × 10 1⁄2"

Minimum Presort Mailing Size

1st Class 500 pcs
Standard Mail 200 pcs (or 50 lbs.)
  • All Automation Rate Mail must be 100% barcoded with delivery-point barcodes.
  • Pieces that are rigid, non-rectangular or not uniformly thick pay a non-machinable surcharge.
  • All mail must have an approved address correction process performed within 95 days prior to mailing.

A folded self-mailer is formed of two or more panels created when a single or multiple unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to form a letter-size mailpiece.

Size and Weight

Dimensions

Height 3 1⁄2" to 6" maximum
Length 5" to 10" 1⁄2" maximum
Weight up to 3 oz

Paper Basis Weight

  • 70 lb minimum for 1 oz mailpiece
  • 80 lb over 1 oz up to 3 oz

Closure Methods

Glue

Glue diagram 1: continuous glue line

Continuous Glue Line

  • 1⁄8" W to within 1⁄4" of each edge
Glue diagram 2: glue spots

Glue Spots

  • 3⁄8" diameter
  • 3-4 spots based on design/weight
Glue diagram 3: elongated blue lines

Elongated Glue Lines

  • 1⁄8" W × 1⁄2" L or
  • 1⁄4" W × 1⁄2" L or
  • 1⁄8" W × 1" L or
  • 3-4 lines based on design/weight

Tabs (2 or 3 Based on Mailpiece Design)

Tab position Diagram showing different tab sizes
  • Placed either at top of lead/trail
  • Within 1" from adjacent edge(s)
  • Lower lead edge tab 1⁄2" from bottom

Panel Count

Address side view. Fold edge must be on the bottom.

2 panel mailer

2 Panels (Bi-Fold)

  • Single sheet folded once in half
4 panel mailer

4 Panels

  • Two nested sheets folded once in half
  • One sheet folded three times
  • One sheet quarter-folded perpendicular
3 panel mailer

3 Panels (Tri-Fold)

  • Single sheet folded twice

Flap

Used for closure of mailpiece on non-address side.

  • Placed either at top or lead / trail
  • Horizontal fold letter, external flap is final fold from top edge
  • Vertical fold letter, external flap must be final fold from lead edge
  • Die-cut shape external flaps allowed
    • Glue line seal along the contour of the edge recommended
    • Glue spots / elongated glue lines or tabs must sufficiently seal the flap to the non-address side panel
Flap diagrams