Effective today, September 8, 2009, USPS has updated their letter-size booklet tabbing and size requirements. These updates apply to any letter-size booklet and the sealing of the piece. The purpose of these new requirements is to improve processing and handling for automation compatible booklets. The old rules had tab seals placed at the top of booklets, but the new rules require that the booklet have 3 sealing tabs, two seals placed on the leading edge (the edge that feeds into the machine first) and one seal be placed on the trailing edge. Seals also need to be 1.5 inches in size and non-perforated. The reason that USPS does not want seals to be perforated is that tab seals with perforations are easily broken, do not maintain their integrity, and can be damaged in transport prior to entering the mailstream. A solid paper or plastic seal will now work as the best option for this type of mailing.

The maximum allowable dimensions for booklets are now 6 inches by 10.5 inches. The paper basis weight for booklets is changing from 50 pound to 60 pound paper to 50 pound paper to 70 pound paper.

The minimum size, thickness, and piece weight for booklets are not changing.

If you outsource your printing and mailing, your vendor should be making these adjustments for you. A complete guide can be found on the USPS site or by clicking this link. It is important for your company or vendor to stay on top of these updates as you can incur surcharges if your booklets do not comply.

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