General Information

STANDARD MAIL A (NONPROFIT AND PRESORT STANDARD)

A bulk mailing requires a minimum of 200 identical pieces, facing the same direction and weighting less than 16 ounces. This allows the only difference in each piece is the address. A non-profit or standard mail indicia or permit imprint showing that postage has been paid must be printed or imprinted by a meter on each piece. University Printing can meter your mail if it was printed without an indicia. No hand written messages allowed in Standard Mail A.

NONPROFIT QUALIFICATIONS

1) Must have The University of Alabama on top line in return address.

2) Must contain university business only

3) The department must pay for all printing, postage and make all managerial decisions.

FIRST CLASS MAIL

A first class mailing requires a minimum of 500 identical pieces, facing the same direction to qualify for first class presorted rates. A First Class permit imprint must be printed or imprinted by a meter on each piece. In order for the department to qualify for first class discounts, University Printing must CASS Certify and inkjet the mailing.

THE INDICIA-----You may replace Tuscaloosa Al and the Permit # with University of Alabama

Nonprofit Org.

US Postage Paid

Tuscaloosa AL

Permit 16

Prsrt Std

US Postage Paid

Tuscaloosa AL

Permit 16

First Class Mail

US Postage Paid

Tuscaloosa AL

Permit 85

MAIL ENDORSEMENTS

	If a piece of mail is not deliverable, it will be discarded unless printed with an endorsement. Be very careful to use the correct endorsement otherwise the post office will not accept the mailing. "Address Service Requested" is the most common endorsement, although there are several others. You will receive a notice of why the mail was returned. There is a fee for this service. The type must be 1/8" tall and at least 1/4" below the return address or above the mailing address.
PERMIT APPROVAL FORM

	When using a University Permit, A permit approval form must be submitted to the Post Office. The Bulk Mail Acceptance Unit at the Post Office will not accept any mail without an approval form. The form may be completed on line and will be directly emailed to the bulk mail unit at University Printing. Go to Bulkmail.ua.edu and you will see the permit approval form link at the bottom of the page.
MAIL PIECE DESIGN

	1) Return address must identify the permit holder. Ex: University of Alabama University Printing-Bulk Mail Unit Box 870154 Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0154 2) Bulk Mail Size Standards: First Class only: Post Card: Minimum 3 1/2" by 5", maximum 4 1/4" by 6" Letter size: Minimum 4 1/4" by 6", maximum 6 1/8" by 11 1/5" Nonprofit and Prsrt Std.: Letter size: Minimum 3 1/5" by 5", maximum 6 1/8" by 11 1/5" Flat size: Minimum 6 1/8" by 11 1/5" maximum by 12" by 15" 3) All reply cards and envelopes (business reply and courtesy reply) enclosed in a automated bulk mailing must bear a FIM code, BRM Legend, Horizontal bars and correct delivery point barcode for the address to which the mail piece is to be returned. Allow at least 3 inches tall by 4 inches wide area for barcode to be printed.
AUTOMATED DISK INSTRUCTIONS

	When emailing a file, please include the following information: Job description Department Name Any special instructions
FILES TYPES FOR AUTOMATION DISCOUNTS

	Excel file Delimited (comma or tab) 1 across label image file Files from Alumni Office Files from Development Office SIS/ Data Resources Department
EXAMPLES OF SAVINGS FROM BAR-CODING A NON-PROFIT BULK MAILING

	1) 5318 pieces÷Letter size Regular Postage = $824.29 Automated (bar-coded) = $589.11 Savings = $235.18 2) 3592 pieces ÷ Flat size Regular postage = $779.46 Automated (bar-coded ) = $632.19 Savings = $147.27 3) 22,941 pieces÷Letter size Regular postage = $3555.855 Automated (bar-coded) = $2982.33 Savings = $573.52 Savings will vary based on the number of pieces, the size of the mail piece, and the locations where the mail will be delivered.