Physical Mail is Here to Stay Despite the ever-rising popularity of all things digital, physical business mail is here to stay. Every day, businesses rely on the mail to send invoices, payments, contracts, announcements and direct mail, among other vital communications. So, choosing the right mailing option for these day- to-day activities is crucial because it can mean significant time and cost savings. There is a ton of info to consider when weighing your mailing options, so we’ve simplified it all down into this handy guide. Here’s what we’ll cover… 01 Class Is In Session: Mail Classes Explained 02 Cost-Saving Curriculum: How to Lower Mailing Costs 03 Extra Credit: Postage Options for Your Business Mail Classes Explained The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) classifies mail into different services, called “classes.” Each class of mail has its own features, service levels, postage prices and presort requirements. Here’s the breakdown of all the different mail classes: First-Class Mail® USPS Marketing Mail™ Meant for letters or parcels up to 13 oz., this This mail class applies to bulk mailings of at least mail class provides reliable national delivery 200 pieces or 50 lbs. Mailings must be less than in an average of 1-3 days. Plus, prices are the 16 oz. and of a promotional nature. Examples same regardless of how far the mail travels, and include flyers, circulars, newsletters, bulletins, include forwarding and return services. First- catalogs and other advertising materials which Class Mail® is the most common class because can be in the form of letters, flats or small it’s fast, easy and affordable. parcels. USPS Marketing Mail™ is for domestic mailings only. Priority Mail® Periodicals This mail class provides delivery for letters or parcels up to 70 lbs. in 1, 2 or 3 business For mailings up to 70 lbs. the Periodicals class days, depending on origin and destination. of mail is designed for newspapers, magazines, Saturday and residential delivery are included and other periodical publications that are sent in the price at no extra charge, along with to a list of subscribers. These must be published free USPS Tracking® and up to $50 insurance. at regular intervals and at least 4 times a year Unlike some other carriers, you won’t pay fuel in the form of printed sheets, as well as meet surcharges for this service. Plus, supplies such specific standards for circulation, record keeping as boxes and envelopes are available for free and advertising limits. You can even access with Priority Mail® service, including flat rate lower postage rates for Nonprofit, Classroom, boxes and envelopes. Flat rate prices are fixed, and Science-of-Agriculture Periodicals. Only regardless of what’s in the box, as long as it fits those who have submitted a formal application without altering the box or envelope… you may and been accepted can access these privileges. remember the famous slogan “If it fits, it ships.” You can check to see if you’re eligible and apply This can be especially handy for small but heavy at USPS.com. shipments, like auto parts or paperweights. Priority Mail Express® This service provides guaranteed overnight delivery 365 days a year, including Saturday and residential delivery at no extra charge. It’s the fastest option offered by the USPS®, and includes free USPS Tracking® and up to $100 of insurance. As with Priority Mail®, you won’t pay fuel surcharges with Priority Mail Express®… and it also includes free supplies like regular and flat rate boxes and envelopes. Mail Classes Explained Package Services Package Services refers to the collection of three subclasses: Bound Printed Matter, Media Library Mail Mail and Library Mail. None of these classes receive expedited services and do not include This is available for mail pieces being sent by free forwarding and return, but they are eligible qualifying institutions like libraries, universities or for lower postage prices on bulk quantities of research institutions. over 300 pieces. USPS Retail Ground™ Bound Printed Matter This mail class is commonly used for gifts or This must be advertising, promotional, directory merchandise, and includes free USPS Tracking®. or editorial material that weighs between 1 lb. As it’s intended for single-piece mailings, it is not and 15 lbs., and is securely and permanently eligible for bulk discounts. bound. Some examples include telephone directories, handbooks or annual reports. Media Mail This subclass is generally used to send books, film, printed music and other types of media. The options may seem overwhelming, but this matrix from the USPS® gives a good top-line view that can help you determine which class of mail is right for your needs. Class of Mail ExpectedL Low CostCostLow Free Extra Incentives Delivery Forwarding ServicesServicesServices and Return FirstFirstFirst---Class Mail®®® 1 - 4 Yes Yes Yes Yes Days Priority Mail®®® 1, 2 or 3 Some Yes Yes Yes Days options, yes Priority Mail Express®®® Overnight No Yes Yes Yes To Most Zip Codes USPS Marketing 2 - 9 Yes No Only for Yes MailMailMail™Mail™™™ Days parcels Periodicals Varies Yes, for In- Free Forwarding No Yes Based on Origin/ Destination Zip Codes Country for 60 days Package Services Varies Yes No Yes Yes Based on Origin/ Destination Zip Codes USPS Retail Ground™™™ Varies Yes No Yes Yes Based on Origin/ Destination Zip Codes How To Lower Mailing Costs Now that we’ve gone through the mail class options, it’s time to learn how you can take advantage of applicable postal discounts. Commercial Base Pricing Bulk Mail Applies to: First-Class Mail®, Priority Mail®, Priority Applies to: First-Class Mail®, USPS Marketing Mail™, Mail Express®, USPS Marketing Mail™, Periodicals, Periodicals, Package Services Package Services The term Bulk Mail is synonymous with a few Commercial Base Pricing (CBP) is a set of other terms used by the USPS®, including special discounted rates for items up to 70 lbs. Commercial First Class Mail, Standard Mail, that are available to business customers who Advertising Mail and Presorted Mail. Bulk prices use a USPS-approved digital mailing system, can offer significant savings for your business such as a postage meter or authorized online versus single-piece mailings – the full postage service. price that you’d pay at the Post Office™ or with a stamp – but require a minimum amount for each Since getting the mailing data ahead of time mailing in order to qualify for bulk rates: helps the USPS® improve efficiency, they pass • 500 pieces for First-Class Mail on the costs savings to you, the customer. • 200 pieces (or 50 lbs) for USPS Marketing Mail™ These are lower than retail rates, which are the • 300 pieces for Package Services prices you pay at the Post Office™ counter or if you’re using stamps – and the savings can really Lower prices for bulk mailings are offered add up! At current prices, you can save 3 cents because you’re doing some of the work that on every First-Class letter up to 3.5 oz. would otherwise have to be done by the Post Office™, like sorting mail by zip code and transporting the mail part of the way. To qualify, you’ll need to do some prep work and meet the following requirements: • Get a mailing permit and pay annual mailing fee • Pay for postage using a postage meter, permit imprint or pre-cancelled stamps • Meet certain size, shape and weight requirements • Ensure accurate addresses • Presort mail by zip code • Take your mail to the Post Office™ where you hold your mailing permit If your business doesn’t have the time or resources to complete the presort steps, you can still take advantage of Bulk Mail prices by using a presort house or lettershop. • Presort houses take your mail and combine it with their other clients’ mailings to get the best rate Not sure where to start? The USPS® offers free available. You can save even further if you have some advice from Mailpiece Design Analysts to help bandwidth to print the postage in-house before you optimize size, shape and weight of your handing your mail off. mailings to get the best rates. You can access • Lettershops will print the mail pieces and address this valuable resource on USPS.com. them for you, then combine multiple clients’ mailings to get the bulk rate. Postage Options For Your Business When it comes to purchasing postage, you have a number of options to consider, too. Here are the four ways to get postage and a quick explanation of the benefits of each. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but will help you get on the right track. Postage Meters Hybrid Mail Machine used to create and apply postage, Outsourced solution that lets you electronically with optional features like sealing, folding, and submit documents to be sent via physical mail, stacking or even via email, fax or text with some vendors • Get discounts: Save 3 cents on all First- • Increase efficiency and productivity: Leave Class mail pieces, and have access to the mail prep nightmare behind; send Commercial Base pricing discounts hundreds of letters in minutes – not hours • Eliminate trips to the Post Office™ • Eliminate trips to the Post Office™ • Prevent overspending: Integrated scales • Multichannel delivery options: deliver with precision weighing print exact postage through traditional postal mail, as well as via denominations email, fax or text • Increase efficiency and productivity: Spend • Take back the workday: Turnkey mail prep time and resources on more important tasks and delivery means the power to print, sort, to grow your business stuff, meter and deliver your mail to the • Secure: Postage