®

Educational Workshop

MDA’s Top 10 Tips

Robbie Butler Capital Metro Area

United States Postal Service

Greater Atlanta PCC – National PCC DaySeptember 21, 2011

MDA’s Tip #10:

Important Elements to Know Before Creating a

DesignPostage Payment Method

• Regular Stamps, Precancelled Stamps, Metered Imprint or Permit Imprint

Class of Mail• First-Class, Periodicals, Standard or Package Services

Processing Category• Postcard, Letter, Flat or Parcel

Specific Pricing to be claimed• Retail (Single Piece), Presorted, Automation (Barcoded),

Carrier-Route

MDA’s Tip #9:

Always Design Your Letters and Flats for

Automation Success

OCR Recommendations

Barcode Requirements

MDA’s Tip #8:

Always Print the Return Address (if used) in the

Extreme Upper Left Corner of the Address Side or

along the Rear Flap on Envelopes

MDA’s Tip #7:

Choose/Use Ancillary Service Endorsements Wisely

MDA’s Tip #6:

Be Careful With The Use of Die-Cuts

● Die-Cuts designed as “Windows” or as a flap generally ok

● Avoid Die-Cuts designed to go all the way through the mailpiece

● Avoid Die-Cuts that impact the shape of the design, unless designing the mail as “Customized Market Mail”.

MDA’s Tip #5:

Maximize Your Message (Presort Standard Pricing)

● There is no “Postcard” price break

● Maximum weight for Machinable letter-size prices (3.3 ounces)

● There are different construction and sealing requirements for folded–self mailers versus booklet type designs

MDA’s Tip #4:

Always Check Your Paper

● Does it afford the necessary minimum thickness?

● If a folded self-mailer or booklet type design, does it meet the minimum paper basis weight for the particular design option?

MDA’s Tip #3:

Check all Reply Mail

● Does the design contain the appropriate Facing Identification Mark (FIM Pattern)?

● Does the design contain the most current remittance address?

● Is the design prebarcoded? If so, is it the new Intelligent Mail barcode?

● Does the barcode match the routing code provided in the remittance address?

MDA’s Tip #2:

Get Educated & Stay Informed

● Join your local Postal Customer Council and attend all offered educational workshops.

● Subscribe to the DMM Advisory (Send an e-mail to dmmadvisory@usps.gov and then put “Subscribe” on the “Re” line.

● Visit our “Postal Explorer” and RIBBS website and start reviewing the available information (http://ribbs.usps.gov and http://pe.usps.gov)

MDA’s Tip #1:

Know Your Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) and

Use Them

ROBBIE BUTLER

CAPTIAL METRO AREA

PHONE NO. (Toll Free) 855-593-6093

E-Mail Address: MDA@usps.gov

Serving the Atlanta District and Most of the State of South Carolina

(290,291,292,293,294,295,296,297, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 311,

& 399):

Questions