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Designing a Mail Piece

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Simple guidelines to follow when designing a mail piece. Follow the standards for size, paper type and weight, and basic layout elements to achieve maximum postal discounts.

Designing a Mail Piece

Size Ratio

A visual representation of landscape versus portrait mail piece orientation

The aspect ratio (length÷height) should be between 1.3” to 2.5”. Your piece must be rectangular in shape.

Standard Dimensions for Letters

  • minimum size is 3.5” X 5”
  • maximum size is 6.125” X 11.5”
  • minimum thickness is .009”
  • maximum thickness is .25”

Standard Dimensions for Postcards

  • minimum size: 3.5” X 5”
  • maximum size is 4.25” X 6”
  • minimum thickness is .009”
  • maximum thickness is .016”

To Ensure Your Mail is Automation-compatible:

Visual showing proper dimensions for OCR read area on US mail
  • Machine address all mail
  • Use uppercase COURIER 10 pt or 12 pt font
  • Type must be clear and unbroken
  • Make sure the address block is parallel with the length of the mailpiece
  • Make sure the address block falls within the OCR read area. The OCR read area is:
    • At least 1/2” from the left and right edge
    • At least 5/8” from the bottom
    • No more than 2.75” from the bottom
  • Never hand address U.S. mail
  • Don’t use punctuation

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