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University Mail Services

Home » Home » Services » Sending Mail » How to prepare your shipment » Mail Piece Design

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Sending Mail

Designing a new mailer? We can help!

Many people don’t realize it, but there are some pretty useful guidelines available to ensure your mail not only looks good, but is easily metered and mailed. Below are some helpful guides to designing your mail pieces most efficiently.

 

General Guidelines

Folded Self-Mailers:

A folded self-mailer must be prepared with the folded edge parallel to the longest dimension AND the address of the mail piece. The mailing panel must consist of only the address, return address and the imprint or postage. Avoid lines and artwork that may interfere with the automated mailing machines. The post office requests that these mailers be secured with tabs, not tape.

Fonts and Graphics:

Any picture that distracts from the recipient’s address, or font styles that are fancy or fun might cause the post office’s automated machines to mis-read addresses, sometimes returning them to sender. Please use black ink, a font such as Arial or Times New Roman and keep graphics near addresses to a minimum.

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Postcards

Postcards are an inexpensive way to get an immediate message to customers. To meet requirements it must be:

  • Rectangular
  • At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick
  • No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick
  • For a detailed printout, click here!
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Letters

To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a piece must be:

  • Have minimum dimensions of 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick
  • Be no more than 6-1/8 inches high x 11- 1/2 inches long x 1/4 inch thick
  • For a detailed printout click here!
Business-Source-36671-Heavy-Duty-Clasp-Envelope

Flats

The Postal Service uses the words “flats” to refer to large envelopes, newsletters, and magazines. The words are interchangeable. Whatever you call them, flats must:

  • Have one dimension that is greater than 6-1/8 inches high OR 11-½ inches long OR ¼ inch thick.
  • Be no more than 12 inches high x 15 inches long x ¾ inch thick.
  • For a detailed printout click here!

 

  • Addressing Mail
  • How to prepare your shipment
  • Mail Piece Design
  • Saving Money on Mail
  • Sending Mail Fast

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Monmouth OR 97361

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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