Effective June 7, 2010, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 201.3.15.1 to modify language that refers to the bound edge of a booklet as an edge and to rename the bound edge as the spine; to modify the reference to cover paper for one design format; to extend booklet design parameters; and to introduce a second folding option in the folded booklet category.
The Postal Service modifies the text of simple spine basic booklets in 201.3.15.5 in reference to cover paper.
Design parameters are extended for the basic format in the simple spine booklet category, which will allow mailers to prepare simple spine basic booklets with a front panel that is up to 1/4 inch shorter than the interior pages and back panel.
The Postal Service also introduces a second folding option in the folded booklet category. To accommodate the addition of this second format, the folding formats are defined by the position of the bound edge (spine) when the mailpiece is folded to letter size.
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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3.0 Physical Standards for Machinable and Automation Letters and Cards
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3.15 Booklets
3.15.1 Definition
[Revise the text of 3.15.1 as follows:]
Booklets must have a bound edge (spine.) Sheets that are fastened with at least two staples in the manufacturing fold (saddle stitched), perfect bound, pressed-glued, or joined together by another binding method that produces a spine where pages are attached together are considered booklets. Booklets are open on three sides before sealing, similar in design to a book. In general, booklets must be uniformly thick. Large bound booklets that are folded for mailing may qualify for automation and machinable prices if the final mailpiece remains nearly uniform in thickness and conforms to all other automation standards.
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3.15.5 Simple Spine
[Delete the last sentence of the introductory text of 3.15.5 to read as follows:]
The spine forms the bottom edge of the mailpiece. The length or method used to seal the booklet determines the weight of the paper forming the cover.
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Exhibit 3.15.5 Simple Spine Booklets
[Revise the last sentence of the Simple Spine Booklets header text regarding cover paper weight changing the paper weight from 70 to 80 pounds; and revise the content of the “Basic” booklet to read as follows:]
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3.15.8 Folded Booklets
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 3.15.8 as follows:]
Folded booklets are mailpieces that are bound and then folded to letter size. The folded spine may be the leading edge or at the top of the booklet. If necessary, the booklet may be prepared with the spine as the trailing edge, however, this configuration is not recommended. The cover is at least 40-pound paper. Folded booklets must be sealed with nonperforated 1.5" tabs.
[Revise the last sentence of the Folded Booklets header text regarding cover paper weight; add new title “Vertical Spine” to the current folded booklet and revise the content of the booklet; and add new folded booklet “Horizontal Spine” to read as follows:]
Exhibit 3.15.8 Folded Booklets
We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards, Pricing, 6-3-10
