A Preview of the New Regulations for
Folded Self Mailers (FSM) Effective 1/28/13
A folded self mailer is formed of panels that are created when one or
more unbound sheets are folded together and sealed to make a letter size
mailpiece. If the piece has any type of binding, it does not qualify as a
Folded Self Mailer.
right wrapping around the back of the piece
iii. Short panels must be a minimum of 5 inches long and no
closer than 1 inch from the trailing edge
2.Tabbing:
i. One tab on the trailing edge and one tab on the top edge
ii. OR two tabs on the trailing edge
iii. Under 1 oz requires two 1 inch tabs and over 1 oz
requires two 1.5 inch tabs
iv. Short panels require three tabs across the panel or one tab
on both the top and bottom edge
3.Gluing:
i. See guidelines above under C(3).
Basic Folded Self Mailer
A.
New size:
1. Height: 3.5 to 6 down from 6.125 inches
2. Length: 5 to 10.5 down from 11.5 inches
3. Maximum thickness: .25 inches (no change)
4. Maximum weight: 3 oz (no change)
5. Aspect Ratio still needs to be between 1.3 and 2.5
B.
Paper weight:
1. Up to 1 oz: paper has to be 70# text or greater
2. Over 1 oz: paper has to be 80# text or greater
C.
Horizontally folded pieces (as it relates to the address block):
1.Folds:
i. To claim automation rates, the final fold must be on the
bottom edge
ii. If the fold is at the top edge, the postage will increase to
non-machineable rates.
iii. Any flaps must fold over the top to the back like an
envelope
1. Flaps must be a minimum of 1.5 inches
2. End of flap needs to be no closer than 1 inch
iv. Accordion folds (aka Z folds) are no longer allowed
2.Tabbing:
i. Under 1 oz requires two 1 inch tabs and over 1 oz requires
two 1.5 inch tabs
ii. On top edge, within 1 inch from the lead/trail edge
iii. On lead/trail edge, within 1 inch from the top edge
iv. Short flaps – 3 tabs across the flap or one tab on each of
the lead/trail edges
3.Gluing:
i. Continuous glue line: .125 inch in width to within .25 inch
from the edge
ii. Glue spots: Minimum of .375 inch in diameter and three or
four of them based on mail piece design
iii. Elongated glue lines: .125 inch in width by .5 inches in
length and three or four of them based on mail piece design
iv. Glue lines must run parallel with the fold for either
horizontally or vertically folded pieces
E.
F.
D.
Vertically folded pieces (as it relates to the address block):
1.Folds:
i. Final fold must be on the lead (right) edge
ii. Short panels must be on the inside or must fold from the
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Quarter folded pieces (folded at least one time both horizontally and vertically):
1.Folds:
i. First fold must be on the lead (right) edge and the final fold
on the bottom
2.Tabbing:
i. Under 1 oz requires two 1 inch tabs on the top of the piece
within 1 inch from the trailing and leading edges or within 1
inch from the top of the leading and trailing edges
ii. Over 1 oz requires three 1.5 inch tabs, one on the trailing
edge and two on the leading edge
3.Gluing:
i. Quarter folded pieces cannot be glued
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Other random tidbits:
Translucent tabs (paper) are recommended
Clear tabs (plastic) can be used, but not recommended
Tabs cannot have a perforation
POSTNET barcodes cannot be used after 1/28/13; Intelligent
Mail barcodes (IMB) will be mandatory
Folded self mailers can have no more than 12 panels
Addresses cannot be on the panel with the final fold
Regarding uncoated stock, addresses should be located between the left edge and the center of the mail piece
These changes will be added to our Direct Mail Quick Guide and redistributed at the end of the year. Thank you.