The following is an excerpt from a response from the Mailing Standards Commission regrading regulations pertaining to folded self mailers (which are the bulk of our tabbing volumes):
“The standards for Folded Self-Mailers (FSMs) have not yet been changed. We postponed modifying those standards until we can perform additional tests on mailer supplied samples. We do not yet know what we will discover or if the findings will support the results of our own tests, but we will do our best to create standards that make it possible for us to continue to accept FSMs in the automation/machinable mailstream. It is possible that new tabbing configurations and solid tabs will be required when these standards are published in December 2009.”
The bottom line is, we won’t know until we know for sure. What we do know is that the existing rules have not changed. I am continuing to try to be involved with the USPS so we know what is going on as soon as possible.
As for the booklet standards, see here:
Tabs on booklets must be at least 1-1/2 inches in width. The tab placement standards in 3.15 are subject to 1/4-inch variance in either direction. Tabs may be made of opaque paper, translucent paper, vinyl or plastic, and must not contain perforations. Cellophane tape may also be used as a closure. The following standards also apply:
a. Translucent paper tabs should be made of paper with a minimum of 40-pound basis weight.
b. Opaque paper tabs should be made of a minimum of 60-pound basis weight paper with a tear strength of at least 56 grams of force in the machine direction (MD) and 60 grams of force in the cross direction (CD).
c. Tabs in the barcode clear zone must have a paper face meeting the standards for background reflectance and, if the barcode is not preprinted by the mailer, the standards for acceptance of water-based ink.
d. Vinyl tabs and cellophane tape closures are not acceptable within the barcode clear zone.
e. Tabs must be tight against the edge of the mailpiece. A maximum
1/16-inch overhang is recommended.
Exhibit 3.15.4 Booklet Design
If the spine or final fold is? | And the length is? | The cover stock must be at least? | Mailers must seal the piece with? | And place the tabs in these locations? |
Spine or fold on the bottom (longer) edge | 5″ to 9″ long | 50-pound | Three 1.5″ non- perforated tabs | Two tabs on leading edge; one tab on trailing edge. Position lower leading tab 0.5 inch from the bottom edge. Position upper tabs 1 inch from the top edge. |
Over 9″, up to 10.5″ long | 60-pound | |||
Final fold on the bottom (longer) edge, with the folded spine on the leading or trailing (shorter) edge | 5″ to 10.5″ long | 40-pound | Three 1.5″ non- perforated tabs | Folded Booklet Two tabs on leading edge; one tab on trailing edge. Position lower leading tab 0.5 inch from the bottom edge. Position upper tabs 1 inch from the top edge. |
Spine on the leading (shorter) edge | 5″ to 9″ long | 60-pound | Three 1.5″ non- perforated tabs | Two tabs on top edge; one tab on trailing edge. Position top tabs 1 inch from left and right edge. Position trailing tab in the middle. |
Over 9″, up to 10.5″ long | 70-pound | |||
Spine on bottom (longer) edge, non-perforated inner flap on top (upper) edge | 5″ to 9.5″ long | 80-pound | Continuous glue line or glue spots | Perfect bound or saddle stitched with a continuous glue line along flap preferred, minimum 1inch glue spots acceptable if placed within ¾ inch of right and left edges. |