Introduction

The most basic component of any mailing is the mailpiece itself. A single mailing may consist of hundreds of mailpieces, or millions. A properly designed mailpiece qualifies for the best postage rate possible! Properly designed mailpieces help you avoid unanticipated costs, and delays in delivery.

The informative links on this page will help you understand the Postal Service's mailpiece design requirements. They will help you design mailpieces that qualify for postal discounts. These links will aid printers, graphic artists, form designers, and envelope manufacturers. They are also useful for small and large businesses handling their own mailing campaigns. If you affect the design process, explore these informative links.

Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC) Program
The MQC program is the Postal Service's certification program for mailpiece design. Recently revised, the program is all new for a new millennium. The course is designed for individuals responsible for creating mailpieces for entry into the U.S. Postal Service's mailstream. After completing this course, you will better understand the acceptance requirements of the USPS as they relate to mailpiece design.

The program incorporates a self-study guide in which you learn at your own pace. When you're ready, send away for the final exam. If you pass, you'll receive a certificate recognizing you as the "Mailpiece Quality Control Specialist" for your company. This course will give you the confidence that your mailpieces will qualify for postal discounts and meet all relevant standards for mailing at the rate and class you desire.

Business Reply Mail Templates
These Business Reply Mail (BRM) templates are perfect for standard business sizes of letters and cards. Just download the template you need, input your address, unique ZIP+4 and corresponding barcode, and BRM permit number and you will have a perfect finished proof in just minutes.

The Postal Service has designed these templates to meet all spacing and positioning requirements if used for the correct size mailpiece. Caution: you must know your assigned, unique ZIP+4 Code and permit number for Business Reply Mail before you proceed. You will also need to create and import the corresponding barcode for your ZIP+4 Code. Barcodes can be created from a number of commercially available programs. Use the MDA locator to contact your local MDA to confirm these numbers and to arrange for a review of your proof before printing.

Courtesy Reply Mail Templates
These Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM) templates are perfect for standard business sizes of letters and cards. Just download the template you need, input your address, ZIP+4 Code and corresponding barcode, and you will have a perfect finished proof in just minutes. Barcodes can be created from a number of commercially available programs. Use the MDA locator to contact your local MDA to confirm these numbers and to arrange for a review of your proof before printing.

Mailpiece Design Analyst
Mailpiece Design Analysts (MDA) are postal employees specially trained to answer your questions regarding mailpiece design. These employees provide advice and issue rulings regarding acceptability for automated rates. MDAs provide technical assistance on mailpiece design to envelope manufacturers, printers, advertising agencies, and graphic designers.

Use this handy link to locate the MDA responsible for your ZIP Code area. Mailpiece Design Analysts are available for:
• Testing paper and actual mailpiece samples for acceptable thickness, background color, flexibility, rigidity, and barcode print tolerances.
• Assigning unique ZIP+4 for Business Reply Mail (BRM) mailpieces.
• Providing camera ready artwork for the proper Facing Identification Marks (FIM) and barcodes for Business Reply Mail (BRM) and Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM).
• Reviewing artwork prior to printing.
• Review and approval of vendor-prepared "privately printed" forms for USPS special services.
• Analysis of Optical Character Reader (OCR) readability and automation compatibility of prospective or actual mailpieces.

Additional Resources
The Postal Service provides plastic templates and numerous informative publications concerning mailpiece design. This link provides on-line access to these valuable resources. These publications and templates can be used by themselves, or as resources for the Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC) program.