printing requirements for postal indicia

Printing Requirements for Postal Indicia

• postal indicia must be made by a mechanical or photographic printing process and applied on the mail item or self-adhesive labels that cannot be removed from the mail piece • postal indicia must appear on each item mailed • contain Canada Post’s corporate identity, product name, and customer or permit number. The name of postal outlet or postal code of the mailing office is optional. • be at least 19 mm x 36 mm and no larger than 39mm x 73mm • be printed on, or attached to, the address side of each item in the upper right corner (mailers may indicate the date of mailing) • contain characters between 2mm and 5mm high (upper case characters of nominal 7 point meet the minimum character size) • black or red ink is preferred. Other colors are acceptable if there is sufficient contrast with the background.

Canada Post is subject to the Official Languages Act; therefore the postal indicia must be bilingual. For anymailing with a return address within the province of Québec, the main information contained within thebody of the indicia must be French first. In all other provinces, English must be first.

Phosphorescent ink is not acceptable for use in imprinting the indicia on the mail piece.

A generic postal indicia may be used for any services, with the exception of Electronic AddressedAdmail and Electronic Lettermail.

Example:

For Distribution Services, a generic postal indicia may be used or the following information may be printed,using a minimum 9 pt. type, in the area where the indicia would normally be located.

Canada Post/Postes Canada Name of Service Customer Number

Example:

Service NamePermit or Customer NumberName of postal unit or postalcode of the office of mailing isoptional

Canada Post/Postes CanadaRegular Parcel

12345678

Revised Postal Standards Version 1.1 January 15, 2007

POSTAL STANDARDS

ADDRESSED ADMAIL

T575007E

Revised Postal Standards Version 1.1 Page 1 January 15, 2007

INTRODUCTION

1 PURPOSEThis manual provides a description of Canada Post’s requirements regarding the preparation of individual items of Addressed Admail.

2 OPTIONSThe mail preparation and presortation options for Addressed Admail are:

• Machineable

• Presort.

2.1 MachineablePrepare your mailings so that they can be processed by Canada Post machinery and be sorted according to one of the following:

• Address

• Bar code.

Prepare the mail to be Machineable by ensuring it is:

1. EASY TO FIND: both and because they are:

a) Located within specified areas

A Proof of Payment Destination AddressB

A

A

B

B

OVERSIZEOVERSIZE

A

B

SHORTSHORTANDANDLONGLONG

Revised Postal Standards – Addressed Admail – Introduction

January 15, 2007 Version 1.1 Page 2

b) Separated from other print by both location and quiet zones.

See section 2.2 “Location of the Destination Address” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 6 for more information.

2. EASY TO READ: the complete destination address because the address is:

a) in the format described in section 2.1 “Address Format” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 5.

b) printed with clear, easy-to-see characters.

See section 3 “Printing” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 11, section 3.2 “Character Requirements” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 12 and section 6.6.2 “Outer Cover Characteristics - Colours” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 26.

3. EASY TO PRINT: the bar code because the mail item:

a) has clear space for the bar code

b) will show a clear impression of the bar code by being:

• covered in a material that will not smear (see section 6.6.2 “Outer Cover Characteristics - Colours” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 26)

• of a consistent thickness (see section 5 “Enclosures” of the “Machineable Mail” chapter on page 18).

ADDRESSEE'S NAMENUMBER AND STREETCITY PROV POSTAL CODE


QUIET ZONESQUIET ZONES

Revised Postal Standards – Addressed Admail – Introduction


2.2 PresortSequence, group, containerize, and label your mailings according to one of the following Canada Post plans:

• National Distribution Guide (NDG) Presort

• Letter Carrier Presort (LCP).

While this mail must meet some requirements (e.g. quiet zones around the address as shown above), the mailer has more freedom in design and more available space for advertising. See section 1 “Description” of the “Presort Mail” chapter on page 30 and section 2 “Addressing Requirements” of the “Presort Mail” chapter on page 31 for more details.

NOTE : The preparation done by the Customer for Presort Mail makes it possible for Canada Post to eliminate some of the processing steps in handling this mail. As a result, Customers have more freedom in the design of Presort Mail than for Machineable Mail.

3 OTHER RESOURCESCustomers can refer to the following documents for additional information about Addressed Admail:

INFORMATION SOURCES WEB ADDRESSES

Artwork for postal indicia and container labels

www.canadapost.ca/postalservices

Canada Post Act and Regulations laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-10/index.html

Canada Postal Guide www.canadapost.ca/postalguide

Customer Guide (including all amendments)

www.canadapost.ca/customerguides

Addressed Admail support documents www.canadapost.ca/aasupportdocuments

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides www.canadapost.ca/mailpreparation

SENDER'S NAME NUMBER AND STREETCITY PROV POSTAL CODE


http://www.canadapost.ca/postalservices

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/C-10/index.html

http://www.canadapost.ca/postalguide

http://www.canadapost.ca/customerguides

http://www.canadapost.ca/aasupportdocuments

http://www.canadapost.ca/mailpreparation

Revised Postal Standards Version 1.1 Page 4 January 15, 2007

MACHINEABLE MAIL

1 DESCRIPTIONMachineable Mail can be prepared as one (1) of the following:

• Short and Long (S/L):

envelopes

postcards/cards

self-mailers.

• Oversize (O/S):

envelopes

open items

self-mailers

wrapped items (transparent and paper).

1.1 Dimensions

Table 1: Size and Weight

* Aspect ratio is the ratio of the length to the width. All Short and Long (S/L) items should be rectangular with the length being greater than the width. Machineable Oversize (O/S) items must be rectangular.

CATEGORY LENGTH WIDTH THICKNESS ASPECT RATIO* WEIGHT

Envelopes/Self-mailers max. 245 mm 156 mm 5 mm 2.6 : 1 50 g

min. 140 mm 90 mm 0.18 mm 1.3 : 1 3 g

Cards max. 235 mm 120 mm 5 mm 2.6 : 1 50 g

min. 140 mm 90 mm 0.18 mm 1.3 : 1 N/A

Oversize (O/S) max. 380 mm 270 mm 20 mm N/A 500 g

min. 140 mm 90 mm 0.5 mm 10 g

Revised Postal Standards – Addressed Admail – Machineable Mail


1.2 Flexibility

1.2.1 APPLICATION

When an item is ready for mailing (i.e. its contents inserted, and the flap sealed), ensure it meets these requirements.

1.2.2 SHORT AND LONG (S/L)Ensure that items have sufficient strength and flexibility, so that they:

• sag no more than 10 mm when freely supported between two (2) level supports that are located 10 mm from their left and right edges

• can be bent around a 140 mm radius without being damaged.

Single CD or DVD mailers typically meet this requirement.

1.2.3 OVERSIZE (O/S)Ensure that these items have sufficient strength to remain horizontal when you hold the edge of an item in one (1) hand.

These items do not have to bend. They may be packaged in either flexible or rigid materials, such as paperboard or corrugated cardboard.

2 ADDRESSINGThe following guidelines apply to all addresses whether they are on the item, on a label, or on an insert that shows through an address window.

For more information on addressing, visit the Canada Postal Guide at www.canadapost.ca/postalguide under Addressing Guidelines.

2.1 Address Format

2.1.1 ADDRESS TERMS

Use the abbreviations shown in the Canada Postal Guide at www.canadapost.ca/postalguide under Addressing Guidelines for the following elements:

• street types and designations

• unit designators

• provinces and territories.

2.1.2 CHARACTER SPACING

Use a font that provides sufficient space between characters (at least 0.3 mm) so that the characters do not touch, and it is very clear where each character begins.





2.1.3 LINE SPACING

Maintain a constant distance between lines of at least 0.5 mm and not more than one (1) blank line.

In determining the space between lines, measure from the lowest point of a line to the top of the next line. Measure from the bottom extenders of letters such as y and g.

2.2 Location of the Destination Address

2.2.1 SHORT AND LONG (S/L)

2.2.1.1 Location

Place the address:

• parallel to the length of the mail item, with a maximum skew of five (5) degrees

• on the side of the envelope without the closing flap

• within the Address Zone:

40 mm from the top

19 mm from the bottom

15 mm in from the left and right sides.

NOTE : The cancellation mark may cover print in the cancellation area.

Figure 1: Short and Long (S/L)

220 PLACE D’ORLÉANS DRORLÉANS ON K2V 5T6

Measure from the top of the accent,

not the “E”.

Measure from the bottom of the

Myra Wong Creations Inc17899 Hepplewhite Heights

“y” to the top of the second line.

74 mm

Postage paid Port payéAddressed MédiaposteAdmail avec adresse Place

postage or indicia here

40 mm

19 mm

Preferred location forthe return address

Preferred location for the return address

Place the address and postal code hereAddress Zone



2.2.1.2 Quiet Zones

Leave the following areas around the address block free of printing:

• 13 mm on the left side

• 6 mm above the top line

• all the areas to the right of the address block

• the area below the address block

2.2.1.3 Window Envelopes

The window must be located within the Address Zone.

The quiet zones around the address when inside a window must be similar to those around an address without a window (as shown in Figure 2). These zones are as follows:

NOTE : When using window envelopes, ensure that the complete address is visible and the quiet zones are maintained.

Figure 2: Quiet Zones on Window Envelopes

SHELLEY DACOSTA5 CANTERBURY DRWHITEHORSE YK Y1A 6B6

6 mm

13 mm

JILLIAN KENNEDY

44 WILLOW PL

ANYPLACE NT X1A 2A1

NO PRINT NO PRINT

OR GRAPHICSOR GRAPHICS

A NAPAL

55 SOMEWHERE PL

ANYTOWN BC V3C 1A2

1234567

PORTER MCINENLY12 MAPLE STSTRATFORD PE C1B 6B6

3

6 mmQuiet zone inside window2

mm



2.2.1.4 Non-address Areas

Ensure the following areas are free of address information:

• the postage or indicia area, 74 mm wide by 40 mm high, in the upper right corner

• the area for the bar code, 19 mm high along the bottom of the item

• a border of 15 mm on each side.

2.2.2 OVERSIZE (O/S)

2.2.2.1 Location

Place the address, with a skew or not more than five (5) degrees, either:

• vertical to the longest side of the mail item and in the bottom 80% of the item

• parallel to the longest side of the mail item and in the bottom 75% of the item.

2.2.2.2 Quiet Zones

Leave the following areas around the address block free of printing:

• 10 mm on the left, right and below the address

• 6 mm above the top line.

2.2.2.3 Non-address Areas



• a border of 10 mm around the bottom 80 or 75% of the item; depending on the address orientation (vertical or horizontal)

• a space, 35 mm high by 150 mm wide, in:

the bottom left corner on items with a vertically-oriented address

the bottom right corner on items with a horizontally-oriented address.

Figure 3: Oversize (O/S)

Vertical

Horizontal20%

25%

80%75%

Address Zone Address Zone




JANICE WINDERMERE2020 HIGHGATE CRTNORTH BATTLEFORD SK S9A 1A2

6 mm10mm

10mm

234569

74 mm

40mm

35 mm

150mm

PA

INT THE SKY!

THE KITE STORE578 WINDY WAYMOOSE JAW SK S6K 1N8

CLEARSPACEAROUND THEINDICIA

Leave this space on the label blank.

10 mm

10 mm

10mm

Bottom 80%of the item

Top 20%of the item

Leave this areablank.



2.2.3 POSTCARD

2.2.3.1 Location

Divide the postcard by a solid line at least 0.5 mm thick with a clear space of 6 mm on either side.

Place the address on the right side of postcard within an area that is:

• 74 mm from the right side

• 19 mm from the bottom.


7654321

Bottom 75% of the mail item

Top 25% of the mail item

40mm

74Leave blank.

MR AIDAN KERR233 FRASER DRSUMMERSIDE PE C1N 2A3

6 mm

LEFTY, Inc.SCOTIA TOWER122 DALHOUSIE STHALIFAX NS B3N 3G4

Have your "lefts" in a right-handed world

Left-handed Trivia

10 mm

mm

10 mm

From left-handedmoustachemugs tooffice furniture

10mmmm

10

Equipment forLeft-handed People

1010

mmmm

Leave thisspace aroundthe address clearor printing.

150 mm

35 mmLeave blank.



2.2.3.2 Non-address Area


• 6 mm to the right of the middle dividing line

• the area to the left of the middle dividing line


• an area 19 mm high along the bottom edge of the postcard.

Use the space to the left of the dividing line for advertising or messages.

3 PRINTING

3.1 Preferred MethodsMachine-print or type the address in black on a white background

3.1.1 RECOMMENDED FONTS AND SIZES

Figure 6: Short and Long (S/L) - Postcard

FOR BOTH S/L AND O/S FOR S/L ONLY

10–12 points 11–12 points 10 points 10–12 points

• Copy Pica• Elite• Pica• Lotus Line Draw• Ms Line Draw

• Courier • Courier New

• Arial • Alpha Gothic, Helvetica, News Gothic

• Univers (W1)• Universal

OCR B special font in only one size.



3.1.2 WHAT TO AVOID

• decorative fonts

• script fonts

• italics

• underlining

• bold.

3.2 Character Requirements

3.2.1 SIZE

Print all characters in the lines containing address information in a font of the same height.

3.2.2 NUMBER

• show on each line at least the number of characters required to cover a length of 7.68 mm. At 10 CPI (characters per inch), three (3) characters will meet this requirement

• limit the number of characters in one (1) line to preferably less than 30, but no more than 40.

3.2.3 LEGIBILITY Characters should:

• be clear, with no smudges and fill ins

• have strokes with consistent thickness.

3.3 Options

3.3.1 ALTERNATIVE POSTAL CODE LOCATIONS

If the postal code cannot be on the last line of the address, follow this table.

IF THEN LOCATE THE POSTAL CODE...On Both Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)

the last line of the address has more than 40 characters • on the last line by itself

• with its left margin aligned to the other address lines.it is not possible or desirable to have the postal code on the same line as the city and province.

On Oversize (O/S) Only

the item has graphics no more than a blank line away from the last line of the address

the item does not have graphics no more that two (2) blank lines away from the last line of the address

the postal code is to the right of the address block. no more than four (4) character spaces from the longest line of the address.

Optimum HeightOptimum Height2 mm 2.3 mm 3.3 mm 5 mm



3.4 Return Address

3.4.1 REQUIREMENT

If the Return to Sender or Address Correction service have been requested, use a Canadian return address.

3.4.2 FORMAT

• place the return address in the same direction as the destination address

• ensure the return address is identical to the mailer’s delivery address

• if postage is paid by postage meter, the return address may be printed as part of the slogan or advertising to the left of the postmark impression.

3.4.3 DUAL ADDRESSES

More than one return address may be shown as long as:

• there is only one Canadian address

• the Return to Sender or Address Correction service has not been requested.

3.4.4 LOCATION

Locate the return address preferably on the front of the item, but it can also be on the back.

3.4.5 FRONT – SHORT AND LONG (S/L)• locate the return address in the upper left corner within an area that:

extends from the left edge to within 100 mm of the right edge

is 40 mm from the top edge.

• if the item is paid by postage meter, locate the return address in the same place as described above or in the meter impression.

3.4.6 FRONT - OVERSIZE (O/S)Locate the return address in the upper left corner ensuring that it is:

• clearly separated from the destination address

• outside of the postage zone.

IF THE DESTINATION ADDRESS IS LOCATED THEN THE RETURN ADDRESS IS LOCATED IN:Parallel to the longest edge of the item The top 25% of the total height of the item.

Vertical to the longest edge of the item. The top 20% of the total length of the item.

00.0040 mm

100 mm

Show return address within this area.



3.4.7 BACK - SHORT AND LONG (S/L)/ OVERSIZE (O/S)Locate the return address:

• near the top edge

• centred between the left and right edges.

3.4.8 OVERSIZE (O/S)If the return address is on the same label as the destination address:

• use a print for the destination address that is of equal or better quality than that used in the return address

• limit the risk of the return address being mistaken for the destination address by using a different colour, such as yellow or red, or printing in italics or script.

4 NON-ADDRESS PRINTING

4.1 Return to Sender Instructions

4.1.1 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED (RPG)To have undeliverable Addressed Admail returned to you, ensure that items have your return address and the Return Postage Guaranteed indicia shown below.

4.1.2 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED (ACR)To have the correct address applied to the item before it is returned to you, ensure that items have your return address, and the Address Correction Requested indicia as shown below.




4.1.3 RETURN ADDRESS

Show only one return address and use an address in Canada.

4.1.4 INDICIA

Visit www.canadapost.ca/postalservices for information regarding the postal indicia.

4.2 Advertising and Graphics

4.2.1 PROHIBITED MARKINGS

Avoid any markings that could be confused with Canada Post markings, services, or indicia, such as:

• fluorescent ink anywhere on the mail item

• any design likely to be mistaken for a postage stamp, meter impression, service label or any other mark suggesting that postage has been paid

• any facsimile of any label, endorsement or marking used by Canada Post that might cause confusion so as to affect its handling, e.g., confusion as to the service the Customer has paid for.

4.2.2 SHORT AND LONG (S/L)

4.2.2.1 Front

• the preferred location is the 40 mm band across the top of the item from the area reserved for the postage paid (1) to the left edge of the item

• advertising may be placed anywhere above and to the left of the address as long as it is not in the following quiet zones around the address:

6 mm above the top line (2)

13 mm on the left side (3).

• advertising may also be part of the meter impression.


CITRUS GROVE LTD.345 LEMON AVESUMMERLAND BC V0H 1Y0

MR JACK DEACONMANAGERROCKING HORSE INN28 SERENITY CLOSEKELOWNA BC V1Y 3A4

01234567

ALWAYS FRESH

LO

W, LOW PRIC

ESDe

livering Sunshine to your Door

http://www.canadapost.ca/postalservices



4.2.2.2 Back

Put advertising anywhere except in the VES (Video-Encoding System) band which is a space 15 mm high by 140 mm wide at the bottom of the item.

4.2.3 CARD

Follow the same requirements described above for Short and Long (S/L).

Apply the VES bar code zone to all Short and Long (S/L) items including postcards and cards.

4.2.4 POSTCARD FRONT

Place advertising to the left of the dividing line, and ensure it is not in the following areas:

• indicia or indication of postage paid area in the upper right corner

• 10 mm to the right of the dividing line and 5 mm to the left of it

• an area, 19 mm high along the bottom edge of the postcard.

Figure 9: Short and Long (S/L) - Card Front

Figure 10: Short and Long (S/L) - Card Back

CLUTTERBUSTERS

205 MURRAY ST

ST JOHN'S NL A1C 3C4

40 mm

74 mm

19 mm

RJ QUICKWATER

45 BETHANY DR

TEMPERANCE NL A1B 2R4

022897CLUTTERBUSTERS Ð WE

CAN BE YOUR LIFE PRESERVER IN

A SEA OF PAPERS.

Leave blank.

No surface coatings.

IN

DROWNING IN A SEA OF PAPERS???

Leave blank140 mm

15 mm



4.2.5 OVERSIZE (O/S)

4.2.5.1 Front

Ensure advertising and graphics are not in the following areas:

• indicia or indication of postage paid

exception: if the advertising is part of the meter impression.

• address including a border of at least 10 mm on both sides and bottom, and 6 mm on top

• an area, 35 mm up from the bottom and 150 mm in from the right side.

4.2.5.2 Back

Place advertising anywhere on the back of the item.


printing requirements for postal indicia

Documents