Bulk Mail Tips and Tricks

You May Not Need So Many Rubber Bands

Generally, any package of ten or more mail pieces going to the same five-digit zip code must be wrapped with a rubber band before you put them in a mail tray. However, if you have a full tray and your mailing list has been processed in the past year by a program that meets the requirements of the Coding Accuracy Standards System (CASS), then you do not need to put rubber bands around these packages. This can save you a fair bit of time.

Note that your piece also must meet certain physical requirements; see our page on mail piece design for more details.

Use First Class For Cards

If you send out a post card mailing to your entire list, and you are not a nonprofit, send it first class. It's cheaper! Especially if you use a Return Service Request. If you send out a post card with the bulk mail rate and it is returned, you are charged an additional 33¢ This return is free if you send it out first class. You mail will be delivered more quickly too. If you are a nonprofit, you should send it first class if you think you will get more than 18% of your pieces returned. Since 17% of addresses change every year, chances are pretty good you'll be better off with first class too.

Put Fold At Bottom

If you are mailing a flyer or some other piece that you will fold before mailing, make sure to design it so that when you put the address label on, the bottom edge of the piece is a fold and not open. See our page on mail piece design for a picture.