New Ruling for "Self-Mailers" - Tabbing Pays Big!

For the last few years the P.O. has not given much of a financial incentive for "Self-Mailers" to Tab, they could simply mail at the "Non Automation" (Machinable) rate and pay a measly $.003 more. Effective May 11, Self Mailers that don't tab or otherwise seal their pieces must mail at the "Non-Machinable" rate and the difference is $.238 (based upon AADC sort) EACH piece! The Non Profit savings/penalty is the same. It now won't take much volume to justify an automatic Tabbing Machine and Bulk Mail software. As little as 1070 pieces (AADC) per month will pay for the investment based upon a 3 year lease of a Hasler HT 12 Tabber and Satori Bulk Mailer 5 Standard software. (If your mailing list is not concentrated to a particular area, Mixed AADC, the savings are even greater)

There are new Tabbing requirements for Booklets that will be effective Sept 8, 2009. The main difference between a Booklet and a Self Mailer is that Booklets are "Perfect Bound" or "Stapled". Link to the new requirements at the end of this Post.

Here is the ruling that came out today from the DMM Advisory:

May 11 Pricing Change – First-Class Mail and Standard Mail Machinable Letters

We are changing the mail preparation standards for First-Class Mail and Standard Mail machinable letters as published in the January 29 Federal Register. Beginning May 11, machinable letters must meet all of the standards for automation letters, except for the barcode requirement. This change will enable us to process more machinable mail on automated letter sorting machines, especially unenveloped pieces like booklets and folded self-mailers. When these pieces lack adequate tabs or seals they frequently become damaged or jam the letter-sorting equipment.

Our changes include the following:
All folded self-mailers and booklets mailed at the machinable prices must be sealed with tabs, tape, glue spots, or glue lines. Follow the tabbing instructions in Quick Service Guide 201b, Using Tabs, Wafer Seals, and Glue Spots.
The maximum weight for machinable and automation letter-size booklets and folded self-mailers is 3 ounces.
Letters closed with staples and letters without closures are nonmachinable and eligible only for the nonmachinable prices.

On September 8, 2009, new tabbing and construction standards for machinable and automation letter-size booklets become effective. To learn more about the new standards, visit Postal Explorer and click on “Federal Register Notices.” Scroll down to the notice titled, “New Standards for Letter-Sized Booklets.”