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Greater New York Postal Customer Council
Greater New York Postal Customer Council
Krista FinazzoUSPS Operational Requirements
April 16, 2008
Krista FinazzoUSPS Operational Requirements
April 16, 2008
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Agenda Agenda
New Address Standards for Flats
Letter-Size Booklets and Folded Self-Mailers
Flats Sequencing System
Combined Mailings — Standard Mail and Periodicals Flats
Pressure-Sensitive Scheme Bundle Labels
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New address standards for flats are effective in March 2009 and specify:
Address location
Address format
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
4
The new address location standards apply to these presorted, automation, and carrier route flats:
Periodicals Standard Mail Package Services
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Address location: Address must be in top half of mailpiece. Vertical address may cross midpoint if placed
within 1 inch of top edge. When the address is on an insert
polywrapped with the host piece, the address must maintain placement throughout processing and delivery.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Final Rule
Bound edgeon right
Joh
n D
oe
123 M
ain
St
An
ywh
ere, US
A 12
345
Joh
n D
oe
123
Ma
in S
tA
nyw
her
e, U
SA
12
345
Can face left or right
John Doe123 Main StAnywhere, USA 12345
Can be left or right justified, or centered
John Doe123 Main StAnywhere, USA 12345
Cannot readupside down
TopHalf
Bound edgeon right
TopHalf
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Address format:
All commercial flats must be addressed using at least 8-point type (each letter or figure must be at least 0.080 inch high).
Sans-serif font and all capital letters strongly preferred.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Additional standards for automation pieces:
Address characters cannot overlap. Address lines cannot touch or overlap (0.028-inch clearance preferred).
Address elements may be separated by no more than five blank spaces.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Flats using POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code may use 6-point type (each letter or figure must be at least 0.065 inch high) if the address is printed in all capital letters.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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One-inch label using 10-point type and all required/recommended clear spaces.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Eight-point type.
Six-point type.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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Final rule on pe.usps.com.
Implementation on March 29, 2009.
Contact local MDA for design assistance.
Contact PCSC for national rulings.
New Address StandardsNew Address Standards
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“Slim-jims”: Letter-size, unenveloped pieces. Shape-based pricing structure increases attractiveness. Commonly processed on flat sorters:
• Supervisor/operator redirects due to jams
• Increases cost
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Identify which types of booklets and folded self-mailers will process on letter-sorting equipment.
Develop new standards for mailpiece characteristics and required tabbing.
Align standards for “machinable” and “automation” pieces.
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Engineering test — Phase 1:
78 manufactured decks of 500 pieces.
Test size and thickness, tabs (strength, style, location), and spine location.
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Phase 1 results:
Thickness and tab integrity were the most important characteristics.
● Pieces 1/16-inch thick processed at acceptable rates when tabs remained in place
● Pieces 1/8-inch thick sustained unacceptable levels of jams and damage
Cover stock was also important, especially on thicker pieces.
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Engineering test — Phase 2:
More precise testing of tabbing, thickness, and cover stock.
Evaluation of cover friction, compatibility with current letter trays, and tab certification procedures.
Manufactured test pieces and “live” pieces submitted by mailers.
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Seven-part evaluation: Enveloped pieces Spine-right booklets Multifold booklets Single-sheet mailers Large postcards Booklets with flimsy inner pages Compatibility with letter trays
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Tentative Schedule
Advance notice: Available now
Phase 2 testing: June – July
Phase 2 analysis: July
Proposal for comment: Early Fall
Final rule: TBD
Booklets and Folded Self-MailersBooklets and Folded Self-Mailers
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Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
Automatic High Speed Feeders
Dolly Induction Subsystem
Carousel-style Sorter
Tray Staging
Integrated Tray Converters
Mail Prep Subsystem
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TODAY TOMORROW
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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New, auto-ready pallet will align mail preparation and entry with mail processing:
Bundle preparation
Pallet preparation
Presorting
Destination entry
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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Bundle preparation concepts:
One or two straps, no shrinkwrap.
No compensating or counterstacking of pieces.
Consistent bundle sizes for ACTs.
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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Pallet preparation concepts:
Multiple FSS zones on a pallet.
Non-FSS bundles on same pallet (sorted by APPS).
Need enough mail to build cost-effective pallet.
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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Presorting concepts:
Exploring options based on today’s carrier routes.
Auto-ready bundles would be scheme-specific, not route specific.
Developing models and data sets to determine appropriate pricing.
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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Destination entry concepts:
Entry points will expand and condense as FSS is deployed.
After full deployment, number of entry points may be same or fewer than today.
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
27Auto-Ready Pallet Concept
FSS Bundles for Multi FSS Schemes
Non-FSS Bundles
Flats Sequencing SystemFlats Sequencing System
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New pilot option to combine mailings of Standard Mail and Periodicals flats on pallets:
Achieve finer presort and deeper drop shipment.
Copalletization — combine bundles into one mailstream.
Comailing — combine pieces into one mailstream.
Mixed ClassesMixed Classes
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Pallets must drop ship at DADC or DSCF. Pallets handled as Standard Mail. Existing rates and classification unchanged:
●Mailers must adhere to the volume minimums for Standard Mail by including at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds in each combined mailing.
●Periodicals publications must be authorized or pending authorization.
Mixed ClassesMixed Classes
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Pressure-sensitive scheme bundle labels available soon!
5-Digit Scheme (red)
3-Digit Scheme (green)
Use instead of Optional Endorsement Lines
Contact your BME manager
Bundle Label UpdateBundle Label Update
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Postal Explorerpe.usps.com
“Flats Day” May 20th at National Postal Forumwww.npf.org
ResourcesResources
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