What is a folded-self-mailer?
A letter-size mailpiece formed by two or more panels that are created when one or more unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed.
Folded sheet or sheets of paper with a minimum basis weight of 70 pounds (Book Weight) up to 1 ounce with two, 1" tabs.
Folded sheets prepared from paper with a minimum basis weight of 80 pounds (Book Weight) over 1 ounce with two, 1.5" tabs.
Examples of folded self-mailers
What is a booklet?
A booklet is a letter size mailpiece with multiple pages and permanently bound. Generally, they must have the spine or final fold at the bottom or on the leading edge, and be secured with at least three tabs (1½”), glue spots or a continuous glue line.
An oblong booklet can also be created
So, why are these folded self-mailer and booklet rules so important?
If you design a mailpiece improperly, then the USPS will probably make you pay non-machinable postage rates. PRSRT STD non-machinable rates are almost triple what PRSRT STD automation rates are.
For a more through presentation from the USPS on designing folded self-mailers Click here
Images and text above have been excerpted from the 37 page USPS PowerPoint presentation to provide a more streamlined webpage.