Avoid Postage Penalties by Learning About Regulations for Tabbing Folded Self-Mailers

New postal regulations for size, paper weight, folding and tabbing of self-mailers went into effect January 5, 2013. Failure to comply will result in additional postage charges. The USPS says this will reduce damage to your mail (and stop their sorting equipment from jamming). So, here is what you need to know. A self-mailer is a folded piece that is letter-sized, isn’t mailed in an envelope and doesn’t have a binding. If it has staples in the fold, it is a defined as a booklet, not a self-mailer, and booklets aren’t affected by these changes.

1. Final folds on the top will no longer be allowed.
2. Self-mailers that now only need one tab on the top will need two.
3. Quarter-fold self-mailers will need to be at least 70# book (28# bond).
4. No tabs will be allowed on the bottom.

Tri-fold and quarter-fold flyers and newsletters need two tabs not just one.

5. The final folded panel creates the non-address side of the mail piece by folding from bottom to top, or lead to trail edge, as shown in the following illustrations.

For tri-folded self-mailers, the mailing address must be on the middle panel, with the final fold creating the non-address side.

What the post office calls oblong self-mailers must have the final fold on the right side, or ‘leading edge’. Two options for tabbing are shown.

There are a lot of other small changes that will affect mailings. We’ve summarized most of them in the following chart. Be sure to forward this post to your designer and printer.

Summary of Main Self-Mailer Changes: Effective Date January 5, 2013

Top and bottom are defined as when looking at the address panel; leading edge is to the right, trailing edge is to the left.

Previous	Current (As of January 5. 2013)
1 tab on top allowed when final fold is on the bottom.	2 tabs required on top when final fold is on the bottom (or 1 on leading and 1 on trailing edge) if bi-fold, tri-fold, or quarter-fold under one ounce.
Maximum size: 6-1/8” x 11-1/2”	Maximum size: 6” x 10-1/2” (Letter and postcard maximum sizes stay at 6-1/8’ x 11-1/2”)
Sheets that are bound by one staple not considered a booklet for tabbing purposes.	Sheets that are bound by one staple are considered a booklet for tabbing purposes.
If final fold is at the top, piece can be sealed with two tabs on the bottom.	Final fold no longer allowed at the top.
Remittance envelopes can be inserted anywhere in a quarter-fold self-mailer.	Remittance envelopes must be inserted in the first fold of a quarter-fold self-mailer.
1 sheet folded self-mailer: paper basis weight of at least 70# book (=28# bond). Multiple sheet folded self-mailers: paper basis weight of at least 60# book (=24# bond), except for newsprint.	1 or more sheets, final fold on bottom: <= 1 oz: 70# book and 2-1 in. tabs top or sides > 1 oz: 80# book and 2-1 ½ in tabs top or sides
	1 or more sheets, quarter folded: <= 1 oz: 70# book and 2-1 in. tabs top or sides > 1 oz: 80# book and 3- 1 ½ in. tabs sides
	Newsprint, minimum 55# book: <= 1 oz: 2 tabs top or sides > 1 oz: 3 tabs sides
Tabs were allowed on the bottom in certain cases, e.g., final fold on the leading edge or to hold in an enclosure.	No tabs allowed on the bottom. Must use glue dot to hold in an insert if the bottom is open.