New Options for Letter-Size Booklet Mailpieces

The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) recently announced the long-awaited new options for design of letter-size booklet mailpieces that will qualify for automation rates. The USPS has made a number of revisions to the regulations for what are often called "slim-jims" in the mailing industry. The last round of revisions were fairly restrictive, and negatively impacted the design options available to direct mailers. In response, the USPS asked the mailing industry to submit samples of desired designs for letter-size booklet pieces so that these pieces could be tested for machineability on USPS sorting equipment. That initiative created this most recent revision, which provides for nine new simple spine designs and one oblong booklet design.

The USPS will also revise the gluing standards for these new designs, and for all booklet designs, including existing ones.

These changes, effective April 5, 2010, are detailed in the March 25, 2010 Postal Bulletin. The exhibits below illustrate the new design options.

Lightweight Simple Spine Booklets

Mid-weight Simple Spine Booklets

Heavy weight Simple Spine Booklets

Oblong Booklets