The six components that determine your postage are listed below. Each of these items have hundreds of pages devoted to them within the Domestic Mail Manual, which is the rulebook for the USPS.

1. Class
• 1st Class
• Presorted 1st Class
• 2nd class or Periodicals
• Standard Mail
• Non-Profit
• Priority Mail
2. Weight
• 1st class = Up to 1 oz on 1st class before going up
• Standard Mail = Up to 3.3 ounces on Standard mail for the SAME postage.
3. Destination
• SCF = Zip codes 73000-73199
• BMC = Zip codes 74000-74199
• NONE = All other zip
4. Automation Compatibility

     The entire Internet does not allow enough time or space to cover this definition adequately. In summary, the post office says that if you will design your mail within specific parameters you will be able to obtain discounts due to automation compatibility. This means your mail design is “compatible” with the equipment the USPS uses to process your mail which in turn reduces labor and in turn reduces postage. For the most part
• Do not use round, square, or oblong sizes
• Do not exceed 1/4" thick
• Allow ample space for the address and barcode of the recipient
• Do not print return addresses to the left or lower than the recipient’s address
• For final say - send us Artwork prior to printing for USPS approval
5. Density
• Carrier Route - 10 to the same carrier
• 5 digit – 125 pieces (Flat) OR 150 (letter) to same 5 digit zip code (73106)
• 3/5 digit – 125 pieces (Flat) OR 150 (letter) to same 3 digit (731) or same 5 digit
• Basic – all residual that doesn’t meet prior criteria under density
6. Size – size actually matters and there are different size criteria for different classes. The term “letter” must be used carefully when describing a size. The term “letter” when referencing a size means that it could be a letter, or a brochure, or a newsletter, or a jumbo postcard.

1st class:	"Postcard" - 3.5 x 5 to 4.25 x 6 "Letter" - Any dimension larger than 4.25 x 6
Standard:	"Letter" - 3.5 x 5 up to 6 1/8th x 11 1/2" "Flat" - Larger than 6 1/8" x 11 1/2"

We want to ensure you enjoy every available postage discount with our expertise in the mailing arena. From this long list you can see postage estimations are a compound calculation based on several specifics surrounding your mailing. IF you have any questions on how you can reduce your postage – call and ask about our free postage analysis for customers and prospective customers. If in doubt, show your mail piece to one of trained mailing professionals before having it printed.