Introduction

The most basic component of any mailing is the mailpiece itself. A single mailing may consist of hundreds or millions of mailpieces. A properly designed reply mailpiece qualifies for the best postage rate possible! Properly designed reply mailpieces help you avoid unanticipated costs, and delays in delivery.

The informative links on this page will help you understand the Postal Service's reply mailpiece design requirements. They will help you design reply mailpieces that qualify for postal discounts. These links will aid printers, graphic artists, form designers, and envelope manufacturers. They are also useful for small and large businesses handling their own mailing campaigns. If you affect the design process, explore these informative links.

Business Reply Mail Templates
These Business Reply Mail (BRM) templates are perfect for standard business sizes of letters and postcards. Just download the template you need, input your address, unique ZIP+4 and corresponding barcode, and BRM permit number and you will have a perfect finished proof in just minutes.

The Postal Service has designed the reply templates to meet all spacing and positioning requirements if used for the correct standard size mailpiece. Caution: you must know your assigned, unique ZIP+4 and Code Business Reply Mail permit number to proceed. You will also need to create and import the corresponding barcode for your ZIP+4 Code. Barcodes can be created from a number of commercially available programs. Use the MDA locator to contact your local MDA to confirm these numbers and to arrange for a review of your proof before printing.

Courtesy Reply Mail Templates
These Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM) templates are perfect for standard business sizes of letters and postcards. Just download the template you need, input your address, ZIP+4 Code and corresponding barcode, and you will have a perfect finished proof in just minutes. Barcodes can be created from a number of commercially available programs. Use the MDA locator to contact your local MDA to confirm these numbers and to arrange for a review of your proof before printing.

Mailpiece Design Analyst
Mailpiece Design Analysts (MDA) are specially trained postal employees that can answer your questions regarding reply mailpiece design. These employees provide advice and issue rulings regarding acceptability for automated rates. MDAs provide technical assistance on reply mailpiece design to envelope manufacturers, printers, advertising agencies, and graphic designers.

Use this handy link to locate the MDA responsible for your ZIP Code area. Mailpiece Design Analysts are available to:
• Test paper and actual reply mailpiece samples for acceptable thickness, background color, flexibility, rigidity, and barcode print tolerances.
• Assign unique ZIP+4 for Business Reply Mail (BRM) mailpieces.
• Provide camera ready artwork for the proper Facing Identification Marks (FIM) and barcodes for BRM and CRM.
• Review artwork prior to printing.
• Review and approve vendor-prepared "privately printed" forms for USPS special services.
• Analyze the Optical Character Reader (OCR) readability and automation compatibility of prospective or actual reply mailpieces.

Mailpiece Design Professional (MDP) Course

MDP Online is the only mailpiece design certification program approved by the Postal Service. This self-paced course is now available online at nced.com/bma/. This course is ideal for employees of mail preparers who wish to maximize their proficiency in designing letter-size and flat-size mail to meet USPS standards and obtain certification as a Mailpiece Design Professional. The course includes:

• Postal addressing standards
• Class of mail and processing categories
• Intelligent Mail® barcoding formats & print specifications
• Designing automation letters (tabbing, polywrap, deflection, flexibility, etc.)
• Reply mail (BRM, CRM, MRM, PRM, MRS)

Additional Resources
The Postal Service provides plastic templates and numerous informative publications concerning mailpiece design. This link provides on-line access to these valuable resources. These publications and templates can be used by themselves, or as resources for the Mailpiece Quality Control (MQC) program.