The Postal Service™ published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 15, 2009 (74 FR 17399–17403), with new standards for letter-size automation and machinable booklets, effective September 8, 2009. The final rule may be read on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com; click Federal Register Notices in the left frame. We also published a clarification and one new design option for letter-size booklets in “DMM Revision: Booklets: Sealing Letter-Sized Booklets Mailed at Automation Prices” in Postal Bulletin 22264 (7-30-09, pages 7–9).
We have tested and found an acceptable design for smaller booklets within specific physical dimensions and weight restrictions. Effective October 5, 2009, we will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 201.3.15.4 to add a two-tab sealing option for smaller, simple spine “wallet-style” booklets mailed at automation and machinable letter prices. Mailers with these smaller booklets may mail them with three tabs or with glue lines as shown in the revised exhibit, or they may mail them immediately with two tabs if they meet applicable restrictions under the new option.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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200 Commercial Letters and Cards
201 Physical Standards
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201.3 Physical Standards for Machinable and
Automation Letters and Cards
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201.3.15 Booklets
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3.15.4 Booklet Design and Sealing
[Revise text of 3.15.4 as follows:]
The position of the final fold and intermediate fold (or spine) for letter-sized booklets varies according to the specific design of the mailpiece. Open edges can be sealed with tabs, glue lines, or glue spots. Except for the simple spine wallet-style design with a height of 4 inches and a maximum length of 8 inches, tabs used as seals on the leading edge of small booklets less than 5 inches high may be placed closer to the top and bottom edges than shown in Exhibit 3.15.4 and may overlap in some cases. See exhibit 3.15.4 for design and sealing standards.
Exhibit 3.15.4 Booklet Design
[Insert new wallet-style booklet design as follows:]
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— Mailing Standards, Pricing, 9-10-09
