The USPS and YOU
Snail mail continues to be a major factor in the US economy and direct mail continues to grow at ±3% every year. So it's clear that there is still a lot of interest in receiving hard copy. Mail is not dead yet, and won't be if the postal service gets its act together, and the politicians allow its managers to manage (i.e. shutter a few thousand unneeded post offices, for openers).
The purpose of this USPS and You column is to make it easy for you to find USPS subjects of interest. We'll also include links to closely affiliated topics.
If you have a favorite link that bears on the broad subject of the USPS, please let us know what it is and we'll include it. We envelope manufacturers are vitally interested in your thoughts, and, through our trade organization, The Envelope Manufacturers Association (EMA), perhaps even have a way of expressing those thoughts in a way that might have a chance of being heard in DC. As a former Chairman of the EMA, I can assure you that your input is important.
Thank you,
Linc Spaulding, CEO
Sheppard Envelope Mfg. Co.
Auburn, MA 01501
USPS MAILING AND RELATED INFORMATION
For a comprehensive search of USPS Mail Preparation Information,
click on Postal Explorer
THE POST OFFICE'S FINANCIAL DILEMMA:
Source: "Postal Partner News", First Quarter 2012
#1: The USPS has unsustainable losses.
#2: The USPS can only increase its rates at the rate of inflation; if they go beyond that rate, mail volume drops exponentially (that is, more than the revenue gained by the increased cost of postage).
#3: They have a huge fixed cost base comprising a labor force that represents 80 percent of all costs. Only 20 percent of USPS costs vary with changes in volume.
#4: Over 50 percent of the USPS workforce is eligible for retirement, however, the issue then becomes one of getting its workforce to retire. Furthermore, 50 percent of labor force costs are made up of benefits, so that when a worker retires the USPS realizes a savings of only half of what they paid that worker for full-time employment. Some of these costs are legacy costs which makes dramatic change much more important.
#5: Spiralling health care costs for existing employees and pensioners (i.e. legacy costs) force the need for dramatic change now.
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IF YOU CURRENTLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF USPS AUTOMATION DISCOUNTS, PLEASE NOTE:
Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) to become
USPS Requirement for Automation Discounts
What is the IMb and what does it mean for you and your mailings? In short, it means the POSTNET and PLANET codes will no longer be acceptable for Automation Discounts.
UPDATE on IMb Requirement
The USPS announced it will begin the use requirement of IMb "for all automation prie eligibility and sunset the use of POSTNET barcodes" in January 2013. It also announced taht in January 2014, automation discounts will allow apply to IMb's that are "Full Service". You may still use POSTNET and PLANET codes, however, it is strongly recommended to make the switch over to the Intelligent Mail Barcode as soon as possible.
Please check out the following links to important information from the United States Postal Service about the IMB and its use.
Getting Started with IMb (PDF)
USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode Resource Guide (PDF)
POSTAGE RATES RISE IN 2012
Source: "MAIL — The Journal of Communication Distribution", Nov/Dec 2011
FedEx (effective Jan. 2):
- General rate increase of 5.9%, offset by 2% decrease in fuel surcharge
- Priority Overnight up 5.5% (for Zones 2-8)
- Standard Overnight up 6.5% (for Zones 2-8)
- Residential Surcharge will increase 25¢ to $3
UPS (effective Jan. 2):
- General rate increase of 4.9%
- Nearly 8% increase in 1-5 lb. ground rates
- A 6.9% incrase in air and international services
- Ground Residential Surcharge will increase 10¢ to $2.55
USPS (effective Jan. 22):
- Letters (1 oz): 45¢
- Letters, additional ounces: unchanged at 20¢
- Postcards: 32¢
- Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz): 85¢
- Letters to international destinations: $1.05.
"The [USPS] announcement offers good news for First-Class Mail Presort mailers. When the new prices go into effect on Jan. 22, the second ounce for presorted letters will be free." |
 News........................................................ Sheppard Envelope Company announces
Certified Postal Partner on staff
As of July 2011, Sheppard Envelope Prepress Technician Craig Weinreich has been designated by the Envelope Manufacturer's Association (EMA) as an EMA Certified Postal Partner (CPP). This certification means that Mr. Weinreich may help you, the mailpiece designer, develope a mailpiece that will meet USPS requirements for mailing accuracy.
If you are in the process of creating artwork for a mailpiece envelope that Sheppard Envelope will be imprinting and need some guidance, you may reach Craig Weinreich, CPP, at 800-325-6622, or via email at art@sheppardenvelope.com. You may also check out the helpful links mentioned above under "USPS Mailing and Related Information".
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EMA Management Information Briefings
February 29, 2012
May 31, 2011
May 15, 2011
December 15, 2010
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