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Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : UPSP Postcard regulations - Strict?

mwookie
08-29-2007, 02:51 PM
Hello everyone. I am working on a postcard to promote my stock photography search engine (http://www.imagetrail.net) to graphic design agencies in the US. Anyhow, I have created postcards in the past and never knew that there seems to be USPS regulations for where things are supposed to go on the address side. I found this template on VistaPrints site (http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/images/template_files/VistaPrint_MailingServices.pdf). It says that you need to follow it if using them for mailing, but I'm not sure how strict this is for people doing their own.

Here is the front (non-address):
http://www.imagetrail.net/ad-5/search2.jpg
Here is the back (Address):
http://www.imagetrail.net/ad-5/searchBack.jpg

The whited out area is for the address label. I have done similar cards in the past and the cover the bottom section with a label and put the barcode on it. Do you have to put a return address on them? Do you think this will get rejected by the post office?

Are these regulations just to get the discounted mailing rates. I normally print my own labels and put regular $.26 stamps on them

BTW: Ignore the watermarked photos, I still need to go buy a bunch of licenses which will be done today if this is okay to do.
Thanks for any help

_________________________
"Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your children." Sam Levenson
Web Development Company (http://www.emblemsoftware.com) – Projects (Search Background Photos (http://www.imagetrail.net/search_background_photos.php)– Sell stock photography (http://www.microstockforum.com))
CkretAjint
08-29-2007, 02:59 PM
INSANELY STRICT!!!!

You can print a sample and go to your local post USPS office and they will test run it for you. But I beleive you need .25" - .5" of white across the bottom in order for this to work.

www.usps.com
Kool
08-29-2007, 03:03 PM
It's been a few years since I worked in this area so don't take this to the bank but as I recall... You can do anything you want if you are using regular First Class postage. If you want to take advantage of the Presorted Standard (Fancy name for bulk rate) then you have to follow the postal regs so it will work with their automated equipment.
Virgo Nightingale
08-29-2007, 03:05 PM
http://www.gripmarketing.com/postal_regs.shtml

That link may help, but the best advice is to do what Ckret mentioned: bring it to the post office. They know best. ;)
chalsema
08-29-2007, 03:17 PM
A couple years ago a Postal employee gave a presentation to a bunch of designers that worked for the university I worked for. They gave us several publications that outline the exact guidelines for preparing any kind of direct mail. You might be able to request these from the post office. They also gave us these cool clear plastic things you can lay over the top of your postcard to see where everything should go.
CkretAjint
08-29-2007, 04:01 PM
They also gave us these cool clear plastic things you can lay over the top of your postcard to see where everything should go.

I have one on my wall right here. Definately something VERY useful to have around!!! :cool:
mwookie
08-29-2007, 04:13 PM
It's been a few years since I worked in this area so don't take this to the bank but as I recall... You can do anything you want if you are using regular First Class postage. If you want to take advantage of the Presorted Standard (Fancy name for bulk rate) then you have to follow the postal regs so it will work with their automated equipment.

I like this answer best, but I think I'll go down to the post office with some proofs and see what they say. If its anything super revealing I'll post it back here.
balou
08-29-2007, 04:24 PM
You can send a shoe through the mail with first class postage. But keep in mind, with your postcard, they will slap a bar code label across the bottom if it is not a clear .25" margin and there goes your website address.
Kool
08-29-2007, 04:59 PM
Good Point ^^^
DesignVHL
08-29-2007, 05:05 PM
All the specifications you need to know about direct mail are on the usps website...
Mynock
08-29-2007, 05:16 PM
Anal is a better word.
Virgo Nightingale
08-29-2007, 05:28 PM
Anal
That's actually on the nametag of a Dunkin Donuts employee by the restaurant I work at. As in her name is Anal. I sh!t you not.

I think it's short for something, but still, I'd put my whole first name on the nametag LONG before I'd ever put that on there and have the immature teenagers who come in snicker at me.
Two-Toe Tom
08-29-2007, 09:14 PM
That's actually on the nametag of a Dunkin Donuts employee by the restaurant I work at. As in her name is Anal. I sh!t you not.

I think it's short for something, but still, I'd put my whole first name on the nametag LONG before I'd ever put that on there and have the immature teenagers who come in snicker at me.

maybe it's short for anal-retentive :p