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Standards for Folded Self-Mailers

Published: June 29, 2009

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:

3.11 Tabs, Tape, and Glue

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.

  1. Glue spots may be used in lieu of tabs and must be placed within 3/4 inch of the open edges (see Exhibit 201.3.11.f).

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.

PDF File with Pictures UPSP wafer seal regulations

Check out the Rena T250, Accufast KT1.5 and Accufast ET tabbers to apply 1.5″ wafer seals!

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