Mail can be complicated! Even for the brainiest. Let’s break down the main USPS mail classifications.

Regular First Class Mail

If you only have a small amount of mail per day, week, or month, more than likely you will be mailing with regular first class rates. This means you use first class stamps that currently cost $0.82 per piece to mail out letters; $0.65 per piece to mail out postcards; and even more to mail out flats or packages.

Presorted First Class

For presorted rates, you must have at least 500 pieces of mail that are the same weight and dimensions. If you are a business or company that must mail out invoices or statements to your clients or customers, you must mail at first class rates.

Presorted Standard or Marketing 

For presorted standard, you only need to have 200 pieces of mail that are the same weight and dimensions. We often see businesses mail out postcards or letters at this rate, and it is considered a bulk mail rate.

Presorted Standard Non-Profit

This is specifically for non-profits and the non-profit MUST have a non-profit authorization number with the United States Post Office. You only need 200 pieces of the same weight and dimensions, but the price tag is so much less than regular first class. Rates can be under $0.20 per piece, but usually average about $0.21 for the whole mailing as pieces go to different zip codes and different distances.

Diagram

Here is a handy-dandy diagram that could get you or your company headed in the right direction. The first question: do you have over 200 pieces of mail. By answering this question, continue through the diagram to navigate yourself to the best possible solutions. Have questions? We are always happy to help and are only a phone call or email away. 

PSS Mailing Solutions (or PSS [Promotion Support Services]) is located in Davenport, Iowa which is one of the Quad Cities. We support small, local businesses in our area, but also serve other businesses, non-profits, and corporations throughout the United States. Please feel free to fill out our form to find more answers.