Here’s a scenario: You’re planning a campaign for an upcoming event. You want to hit as many people with your message as possible, for the best price, within a realistic timeframe. You intend to use a number of different print pieces like postcards, invitations, and maybe even a custom, die-cut and folded piece to really grab your audience’s attention.
Here’s the second part of that scenario: You need to know what mail classifications you can realistically use based on your budget and required turnaround time, the number of recipients in your mailing list, and types of print pieces you’re sending out.
Sound familiar?
USPS mail classifications have multifaceted, convoluted, and oh-for-the-love-why-are-there-so-many-details detailed specifications.
Understanding the ins and outs of USPS mailings can feel like a full-time job. In fact, it is. Our team of experts works diligently every day on a multitude of mailings to simplify your mailing experience.
Mail Classifications Made Simple
To help you plan for your next mailing, we’ve laid out these USPS mail classifications into a simple and straightforward chart.
So while mailing will always be a complicated entity full of nooks and crannies, there will always be Delzer to help you make sense of it all.
Mail Classifications
Regular First Class
Description: The classic post-stamped mail piece. First-Class mail prices are the same regardless of how far the mail travels.
Applications: Anything mailable: bills, invoices, correspondence, merchandise.
Piece Count Requirements: No minimum piece count using metered mail or stamps. 200 piece minimum required for postal indicia.
Weight Requirements: 13 oz. maximum per piece (over 13 oz. becomes priority mail). Letter maximum of 3.5 oz.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details. In the meantime, learn more here.
USPS Run Time: 1-3 business days.
First Class Presort
Description: The same as regular First Class, but more cost-effective and sorted thanks to permit application.
Applications: Anything mailable: bills, invoices, correspondence, merchandise.
Piece Count Requirements: 500 piece minimum.
Weight Requirements: 13 oz. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 1-3 business days.
Priority Mail
Description: A package version of First-Class mail. Optional service and security conveniences offered. Pricing determined by how far the mail must travel to it’s destination.
Applications: Anything mailable: bills, invoices, correspondence, merchandise.
Piece Count Requirements: No minimum. Well, if you want to get technical…minimum of 1.
Weight Requirements: Anything First-Class Mail items weighing over 13 oz., 70 lb. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 1-3 business days.
Priority Mail Express
Description: Priority mail on steroids. The fastest mail service offered by USPS 365 days a year, guaranteeing 1-day or 2-day expedited services by 3:00 PM.
Applications: Anything mailable: bills, invoices, correspondence, merchandise.
Piece Count Requirements: No minimum. Well, if you want to get technical…minimum of 1.
Weight Requirements: 70 lb. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 1-2 days.
Marketing Mail
Description: Also known as Bulk, Standard, or 3rd Class. Optional service and security conveniences offered. Domestic mail only (meaning no international addresses).
Applications: Advertisements, circulars, newsletters, small parcels, merchandise.
Piece Count Requirements: 200 piece or 50 lb. minimum.
Weight Requirements: 16 oz. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 7-10 business days.
Non-Profit Mail
Description: Special non-profit prices are available for some periodicals and market mail mailers traveling domestic. Non-profit postage is lower than regular prices, but not everyone qualifies. **Note: Requires pre-authorization to mail using this classification. Learn more.
Applications: Certain domestic-route periodicals and market mail mailers.
Piece Count Requirements: 200 piece minimum.
Weight Requirements: 13 oz. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 7-10 business days.
Every Door Direct Mail
Description: Also known as EDDM, this is a targeted advertising technique that lets you map your marketing mail audience by carrier route and zip code. It targets every address on a carrier route – no exceptions.
Applications: Certain domestic-route periodicals and market mail mailers.
Piece Count Requirements: 200 piece minimum. 5,000 maximum per post office, limit to five 5-digit zip codes per EDDM.
Weight Requirements: 3.3 oz. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Flats: 10.5″ x .125″ minimum; no more than 15″ x 12″ x .75″ – contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 2-3 business days.
Package Services
Description: Also known as USPS Retail Ground. This is a collective term used for three classes of mail: bound printed matter, media mail, and library mail. No expedited service offerings. Optional service and security conveniences offered.
Applications: Contact Delzer for details.
Piece Count Requirements: No minimum. Well, if you want to get technical…minimum of 1.
Weight Requirements: 70 lb. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 2-9 business days.
Bound Printed Matter
Description: Large-scale mailings of a package service mailing sub-class.
Applications: Advertising and promotional materials.
Piece Count Requirements: No minimum. Well, if you want to get technical…minimum of 1.
Weight Requirements: 15 lb. maximum per piece.
Size Requirements: Contact Delzer for details.
USPS Run Time: 5-10 business days.
Learn More about Mailing
Explore our mailing capabilities here at Delzer. You can also visit the USPS website…but we think our site is more fun.
Gear Up Your Game Plan.
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