USPS^® ZIP+4^® Code Look-up Page - Find the ZIP+4^® Codes for a particular address

USPS^® City/State/ZIP Code Associations Page - Find out what ZIP codes cover a particular city

USPS^® Official Abbreviations Page - Find official United States Postal Service^® abbreviations

USPS^® Domestic & International Calculator Page - Domestic & International Postal Rate Calculators

USPS^® Best Practices in Address Quality - Best Practices in Address Quality - USPS

Domestic Mail Manual – This United States Postal Service^® publication explains in detail official standards, mail classes, special services, rate eligibility, mail preparation and everything you need to know. This publication is available from the United States Postal Service^® at 202-512-1800. If you mail outside the United States you may also obtain the International Mail Manual.

Quick Service Guides – The United States Postal Service^® publishes a series of simple two-page guides on special topics. Three that are important are Publication 25 – Designing Flat Mail, Publication 353 – Designing Reply Mail and Publication 95 – Quick Service Guides, it is 136 pages and includes 43 guides on virtually every topic. All are available for free at your local post office or Postal Business Center.

Templates – They are a must for designers. Notice 67 is a clear plastic overlay that shows address placement, barcode clear zone and positioning marks for FIM patterns. It also provides a barcode decoder, character height and spacing gauges and other handy material. Notice 3A shows the aspect ratio requirements for automated processing, proper dimensions for letter size mail, and has a slot to measure mail thickness. This is also available for free from a Postal Business Center.

Mailers Companion – This is a free monthly newsletter that provides information on mail processing, address management, technology, standards and rulings. It also gives you revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual. Contact: Mailers Companion, Address Quality, United States Postal Service, 6060 Primacy Parkway, No 201, Memphis TN 38188-0001 their fax number is 901-681-4582

Postal Explorer – Provides a comprehensive, searchable library of United States Postal Service^® publications. It is produced twice a year on CD-ROM and includes the Domestic Mail Manual, International Mail Manual, quick service guides, rate calculators, zone charts, Business Guide to Advertising with Direct Mail and more. This is available at 1-800-654-1905

Direct Mail Success for Small Business – This is one of many resources available online at http://www.usps.gov. It’s a step by step program on how direct mail can boost your bottom line and how to write and design simple mail that works. Tips are also available on postal guidelines, fulfillment, measuring response and more.

Business Mail 101 – This is available at the http://www.usps.gov web site. You can learn about postal rates, mail classes, addressing, permits, postage and other topics.

Electronic Templates – These templates work with Adobe Illustrator and MacroMedia Freehand to create Business Reply Mail and Courtesy Reply Mail. The templates are available from http://www.usps.gov. After you can add your permit number, barcode and delivery address to quickly create letter-sized or card-sized mail pieces that meet postal guidelines.

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