Mailing Design Guidelines

Postcard Mailing Design Guidelines

When creating direct mail postcards for online printing, follow the design guidelines below and view our postcard printing template (or download the template here).

Dimensions

• Postcards must be at least 3-1/2” x 5”. To qualify for First Class rates, they can be no larger than 6” x 9”. For Standard rates, they can be no larger than 6-1/8″ x 11-1/2″.
• Keep any wording, logos or other important art 1/16” from the edge. If it’s closer than that, it may get trimmed off during the printing process.

Addressing

• The address can be placed anywhere within a specific space on the postcard. This area is 1/2” from the left and right edges, 3/4” from the bottom and is 2-1/8” tall.
• If a return address is included, it should be located 1/4” from the top left side of the postcard.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the addressing areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• Addressing should be black in order to get the best postage rates.

Postage and Barcode

• Leave a 1” x 1” space in the upper right-hand corner of the design on the front for postage or indicia.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the barcode areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• The Intelligent Mail barcode is approximately 3” x 5/8” and can be included in the address block if there is at least 3-1/2” of horizontal space available in the address area.
• If the barcode is not included in the address block, it will be placed across the bottom of the postcard, toward the right corner. Leave a 3/4″ x 4-7/8” space in the lower right corner to allow for it. Keep important design elements outside this space, as they may be covered by the barcode.
• If you’re adding stamps and messaging after printing, we suggest a one-sided UV coating, as this keeps the art or graphics side intact, while allowing for stamps and personalizing on the uncoated side.
• If you’re using a prepaid printed indicia and variable data printing for addressing and messaging, we suggest a two-sided UV coating to fully protect your printed piece.

Envelope Mailing Design Guidelines

When printing personalized envelopes, follow the design guidelines below and view our envelope printing template (or download the template here). 

Dimensions

• Envelopes come in standard sizes and vary by product. The dimensions of your design should correspond with the dimensions of the envelope you choose.
• Keep any wording, logos or other important art 1/4” from the edge. If it’s closer than that, it may get trimmed off during the printing process.

Addressing

• The top of the mailing address cannot be placed higher than 2-3/4” from the bottom of the envelope.
• The return address should be 1/4” from the top and left side of the envelope.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the addressing areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• Addresses should be black in order to get the best postage rates.

Postage and Barcodes

• Leave a 1” x 1” space in the upper right-hand corner of the design on the front for postage or indicia.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the barcode areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• The Intelligent Mail barcode is approximately 3” x 5/8” and can be included in the address block if there is at least 3-1/2” of horizontal space available in the address area.
• If the barcode is not included in the address block, it will be placed across the bottom of the envelope, toward the right corner. Leave a 3/4″ x 4-7/8” space in the lower right corner to allow for it. Keep important design elements outside this space, as they may be covered by the barcode.

Folded Self-Mailers

When designing custom brochures and other folded self-mailers with Smartpress’ online printing services, follow the design guidelines below and view our self-mailer template (or download the template here). 

Dimensions

• Self-mailers can vary in size but should be rectangular in shape and have a minimum height of 3-1/2” and a maximum height of 6” when folded. The minimum length is 5” and the maximum length is 10-1/2” when folded. Please note “rectangular in shape” means an aspect ratio of between 1.3 to 2.5 when the length is divided by the height.
• Keep any wording, logos or other important art 1/16” from the edge. If it’s closer than that, it may get trimmed off during the printing process.

Addressing

• The top of the mailing address cannot be placed higher than 2-3/4” from the bottom of the mailer.
• The return address should be 1/4” from the top and left side of the mailer.
• The address and return address should read parallel with the longest edge of the brochure.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the addressing areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• Addresses should be black in order to get the best postage rates.

Postage and Barcode

• Leave a 1” x 1” space in the upper right-hand corner of the design on the front for postage or indicia.
• Ensure the postage placement reads parallel with the longest edge of the folded piece.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the barcode areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• The Intelligent Mail barcode is approximately 3” x 5/8” and can be included in the address block if there is at least 3-1/2” of horizontal space available in the address area.
• If the barcode is not included in the address block, it will be placed across the bottom of the self-mailer, toward the right corner. Leave a 3/4″ x 4-7/8” space in the lower right corner to allow for it. Keep important design elements outside this space, as they may be covered by the barcode.

Wafer Seals

• Folded and/or stitched mailers require wafer seals (also known as tabs) to hold them closed during postal processing. Wafer seals are typically placed at the short ends of the mailer (see diagram above).
  • Choose two tabs for folded self-mailers.
  • Choose three tabs for booklet self-mailers like direct mail saddle stitch booklets. 
• Wafer seals are semi-translucent but not entirely transparent. Take their location into account when considering placement of design elements.

Booklet Mailing Design Guidelines

When printing booklets and other stapled mail pieces, follow the design guidelines below and view our booklet printing template (or download the template here).

Dimensions

• Booklets mailing at Letter postage rates may vary in size, but they must be rectangular in shape with an aspect ratio of between 1.3 to 2.5 when the length is divided by the height. The minimum size is 3-1/2″ x 5″ and the maximum size is 6″ x 10-1/2″. 
• Booklets mailing at Letter rates must be wafer-sealed prior to mailing. Square booklets smaller than 6″ x 6″ are subject to additional non-automated postage fees.
• Booklets larger than 6″ x 10-1/2″ are subject to Flat postage rates. The maximum size Smartpress offers is 12″ x 12″. Square booklets larger than 6-1/8″ x 6-1/8″ mail at Flat rates and are not subject to additional fees.
• Keep any wording, logos or other important art 1/16” from the edge. If it’s closer than that, it may get trimmed off during the printing process.

Addressing

• Booklet mailers will be processed by length by the postal service. This means that your address and return address should read parallel with the longest edge of the booklet.
• The top of the mailing address cannot be placed higher than 2-3/4” from the bottom of the mailer.
• The return address should be 1/4” from the top and left side of the mailer.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the addressing areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• Addresses should be black in order to get the best postage rates.

Postage and Barcode

• Leave a 1” x 1” space in the upper right-hand corner of the design on the front for postage or indicia.
• Ensure the postage placement reads parallel with the longest edge of the booklet.
• There should be no more than 7% of ink coverage in the barcode areas to ensure scanning machines and postal workers can read it easily. 
• The Intelligent Mail barcode is approximately 3” x 5/8” and can be included in the address block if there is at least 3-1/2” of horizontal space available in the address area.
• If the barcode is not included in the address block, it will be placed across the bottom of the booklet, toward the right corner. Leave a 3/4″ x 4-7/8” space in the lower right corner to allow for it. Keep important design elements outside this space, as they may be covered by the barcode.

Wafer Seals

• Booklets typically require wafer seals (also known as tabs) to hold them closed during postal processing. Wafer seals are typically placed at the short ends of the mailer (see diagram above).
• Wafer seals are semi-translucent but not transparent. Take their location into account when considering placement of design elements.