2-3.7 Standards for Perforated Pockets

A mailer may attach perforated pockets to letter-size mailpieces under the following conditions:

1. The perimeter of the pocket is affixed with permanent glue with a minimum adhesive strength of 2 pounds/inch to stainless steel with 20–minute dwell time at 300"/minute at 90 degrees per ASTM Test D3330F.
2. The attached material has a minimum tear strength of 100 grams of force (gf) in both the machine direction and cross direction per Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) T414.
3. The cut/tie ratio for perforation is 1:1 with a minimum tie size of 1 millimeter (mm). One double cut may appear at the lower trailing edge corner of the perforated panel of the pocket.
4. The pocket has the following characteristics:
1. Is between 1-1/2" and 2-3/4" in both length and height.
2. Has an affixed area no more than 0.012" thick and a perforated panel no more than 0.03" thick. Perforated pockets may not exceed the thickness of the host mailpiece. They may not cause the host to have an uneven surface and must not interfere with readability of the address, barcode, or postage information.
5. The length of each pocket is parallel to the length of the host mailpiece.
6. The pocket is attached as follows:
1. To the address side of a mailpiece:
1. At least 1" from the bottom and leading edge.
2. At least 1/2" from the top and trailing edge.
2. To the non-addressed side of the mailpiece:
1. At least 1" from the bottom edge.
2. At least 1/2" from the top.
3. At least 5" from the left edge but no closer than 1/2" from the right edge.
7. Two perforated pockets are attached as follows:
1. Are affixed on the same side of the mailpiece.
2. Are stacked vertically — do not affix the pockets side by side across the mailpiece length.
3. Have a space up to 1/2" between pockets.