The United States Postal Service has revised its standards for folded self-mailers. The changes went into effect Jan. 5.

A folded self-mailer is formed of two or more panels created when a single or multiple unbound sheets of paper are folded together and sealed to form a letter-size mailpiece

The revised standards are intended to provide mailers more mailpiece design options, while balancing design innovation and machinability to improve the overall supply chain.

Key points in the revised standards include:

• The final fold must be on the bottom. For oblong pieces, the final fold is on the leading edge.
• When tabs are used as the sealing method, a minimum of two are required. Tabs cannot be placed on the bottom edge of oblong pieces. Tabs must be non-perforated. The sizes of the tabs are 1 inch, 1.5 inches or 2 inches.
• New language added about glue as a sealing method.
• New language added about a variety of optional elements that can be incorporated in the FSM design such as attachments, loose enclosures, perforations, and die-cuts.

UH Postal Services stocks the non-perforated tabs and glue dots. Staff will be happy to work with designers to ensure that any future mail pieces that may be designed in the folded self-mailer format meets the new USPS mailing requirements.

Click here to view the USPS PowerPoint presentation which explains in detail the revised FSM standards. Click this link to review the FSM reference materials which contain exhibits of the many variations of folds that are acceptable under the revised standards.

Contact UH Postal Services with any questions regarding the new requirements.