One of the changes that occurred in the Mail Classification Reform was that all mail must be 100% bar-coded for automation. Also, third class mail is now classified as Stazndard Mail and a CASS certificate must be submitted with any automated or carrier route mailing. All classes received a postage raise. First Class went from 34¢ to 37¢. Postcards went from 21¢ to 23¢. Carrier route weight limit went from 3.3 to 3.5 oz. Annual fees went from $125 to $150. All surcharges have been raised for First and Standard Classes.

Presorted mail refers to mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage rates, including presorted first class mail and standard class mail.

First class mail rates are higher than standard class rates because the post office processes and delivers first class mail faster than standard class mail.

Automation rates are available for mail that has been specially prepared so the post office can process it with their high-speed automation equipment. Automation rates can save as much as 5 cents per piece. It requires that the mailing list be CASS certified and that an 11-digit delivery point barcode be printed as part of the mailing address.

Automation is a discount for mailings that are 100% bar-coded and can be processed through the USPS automated machines. These mailings are accompanied with specific paper work generated by special postal software.

• Any mailing piece that is 100% bar-coded and within size requirements.
• Any envelope not more than 1/4 inch thick.
• A self-mailer with the final fold at the bottom and wafer sealed at the top. A self-mailer with the final fold at the top will require 2 tabs but may mail at the automated rate

A customer can save as much as 5¢ per piece with automation, depending upon the mailing list. A customer that is non-profit mailing all in the Richmond area can save up to 28¢ per package.

CASS is an acronym for the USPS's Coding Accuracy Support System. CASS improves the accuracy of the zip code and barcode on the mail piece. The CASS process requires that we compare each address in your mailing list with a national directory of addresses to make sure your addresses are deliverable. If addresses cannot be found in the national database our CASS software attempts to correct them to insure deliverability at the lowest possible rate.

First, you need to provide us with your mailing list in an electronic format. Secondly, you should involve Printegration during the design stages of the mail piece to ensure that the mailing panel complies with USPS requirements for automation.

The best file format to provide is a dbase (.dbf). Printegration is able to handle other formats, but processing time will be greater. Other formats we can handle include ASCII delimited, ASCII fixed fields, Excel, Access, Paradox (.db). If you are unsure whether or not your format will work successfully, please contact us.

List the names of the fields that must be printed on the mailing piece. Examples -- name, addresses, city, state, zip, account number.

Yes! According to the new postal regulations, any mailing list attemp-ting to receive postage discounts must have CASS certified addresses. Printegration will convert your list to standardized addresses according to postal standards. We will not change the file on the original disks supplied.

The post office requires the city, state, and zip code to appear on the address line, the line directly above the city should be the main address line. If a P.O. Box number is being used, it should be on this line. Any other information should be in order of importance from bottom to top, ending with recipient's name. A piece missing a delivery address or city, state, or zip lines may still be delivered but it will take much longer. Many such pieces land in the trash.

Possibly. There are certain conditions that must be met regarding size, color, text placement and folding in order to qualify for mailing discounts.

Wafer seals are necessary when you have a mail piece that is folded and not enveloped. It needs to be secured for automation. If your piece opens at the top, you only need one tab to secure your piece closed but if your piece opens at the bottom you will need 2 tabs.