ALERT! WaferSeals.com Customers
Final rule: Folded Self-Mailers and Unenveloped Mailpieces 39 CFR Part 111
Effective Date: January 5, 2013
The final rule includes DMM recommendations for design elements and sealing methods for FSMs. To simplify the requirements that apply to tabs that can be used to seal unenveloped letter-sized mailpieces, DMM 201.3.11 is modified to include folded self-mailers. The final rule also includes recommended revisions to the proposed requirements based on observations of a wide variety of FSMs tested over the past several years.
The US Postal Service changes that will affect our wafer seals are contained under the headings "Sealing Methods" 201.3.14.4 and "Paper Weight and Sealing Requirements" 201.3.14.5. The changes are: perforated tabs will be prohibited, the minimum tab size will be one (1") inch, and the minimum number of tabs will be two (2). The size and quantity of tabs shall be determined by the weight of the mailing piece as well as the paper stock used. Glue may be used as an alternate sealing method when applied according to the standards for FSMs.
Although the effective date of these revisions is not until January 5, 2013, the USPS encourages all customers to transition as soon as possible.
After January 5, 2013, folded self-mailers that do not meet these requirements will be assessed postage as follows: First-Class Mail and Standard Mail customers will pay nonmachinable prices; Periodicals mailers will pay nonbarcoded prices.
Tabs may be made of paper, translucent paper, vinyl or plastic. Cellophane tape may also be used as a closure when the saw-toothed cut edge is place perpendicular to the edge being sealed. Tabs must not contain perforations. For tab size and placement for folded self-mailers see 3.14; for booklets see 3.15. Tab placement is subject to 1/4 inch variance in either direction.
What Waferseals.com Expects
The fact that perforated tabs will be prohibited will likely dramatically reduce the use of clear tabs. Clear tabs are difficult to open without a perforation. We expect our customers will transition to the translucent paper tabs just as they did when this change was introduced for booklets back in 2009. Waferseals.com will have two types of translucent tabs available in the months ahead, our standard Translucent Paperand our New TransUltra™ Paper which is significantly less opaque than the standard translucent, and almost as good as clear.
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Use of Tabs on Folded Self-Mailers
3.14.4 Sealing Methods
Folded self-mailers must be sealed using tabs or glue under the following conditions:
a. Tabs must meet the standards for tabs in 3.11. The size and number of tabs required is determined by the weight of the mailpiece and optional design elements as follows:
1. To seal folded self-mailers that weigh up to 3 ounces created in bi-fold, tri-fold formats, pieces with multiple interior folds and a final fold on the bottom, and quarter-fold mailpieces that weigh one ounce or less, place two nonperforated tabs on the top edge, one within 1-inch from the leading and another within 1-inch from the trailing edge, or place one tab on the leading and another on the trailing edge, both placed within 1 inch from the top.
2. To seal quarter-fold mailpieces that weigh more than 1 ounce up to 3 ounces, affix two tabs, one on the leading edge and one on the trailing edge within 1 inch from the top, and affix a third tab on the lower leading edge 1/2 inch from the bottom.
3. To seal oblong pieces that weigh up to 3 ounces, affix one tab in the center of the top edge and one tab in the center of the trailing edge (preferred) or affix both tabs on the trailing edge within 1 inch of the top and bottom edges. Tabs may not be placed on the bottom of an oblong piece.
5. Quarter-fold self-mailers must be sealed with tabs.
a. Folded self-mailers, (except quarter-fold mailpieces) as described in 3.14.3e1 through 3.14.3e3:
1. Up to 1 ounce: 70 pound paper sealed with a continuous glue line, three glue spots; or elongated glue lines under 3.14.4b; or two 1-inch tabs under 3.14.4a1 and 3.14.4a3.
2. Over 1 ounce: 80 pound paper sealed with a continuous glue line, four glue spots; or four elongated glue lines under 3.14.4b; or two 1-1/2 inch tabs under 3.14.4a1 and 3.14.4a3.
b. Quarter fold self-mailers as described in 3.14.3e4:
1. Up to 1 ounce: 70 pound paper sealed with two 1-inch tabs.
2. Over 1 ounce: 80 pound paper sealed with three 1-1/2inch tabs.
3. Newsprint: 55 pound minimum paper required. Seal pieces one ounce or less with two 1-1/2 inch tabs and those weighing over one ounce with three 1-1/2 inch tabs.
Basic FSM
(Bi-Fold/Tri-Fold)
When using tabs on basic folded self-mailers the following applies:
- Mailing pieces Up to 1oz require 2 tabs at 1" dia.
- Mailing pieces Over 1oz require 2 tabs at 1-1/2" dia.
- Tabs can be positioned in 2 places, see images below.
1. Placement of Tabs:
For either 1" or 1-1/2" Tabs within 1" of lead/trail edge
2. Placement of Tabs:
For either 1" or 1-1/2" Tabs on lead/trail edge within 1" of top edge
Oblong Folded FSM
(Basic oblong)
When using tabs on oblong folded self-mailers the following applies:
- Mailing pieces Up to 1oz require 2 tabs at 1" dia.
- Mailing pieces Over 1oz require 2 tabs at 1-1/2" dia.
- See images below for tab positioning
1. Placement of 1" tabs:
1 tab on center top edge and another on center trailing edge
2. Placement of 1" tabs:
Affix two tabs on the trailing edge within 1" of the top and bottom edges.
Quarter Fold FSM
(Basic quarter fold and newsprint)
When using tabs on quarter fold self-mailers the following applies:
- Mailing pieces Up to 1oz require 2 tabs at 1" dia.
- Mailing pieces Over 1oz require 3 tabs at 1-1/2" dia.
- Newsprint requires 3 tabs at 1-1/2" dia.
- See images below for tab positioning
1.Placement of 1" tabs:
For mailing pieces up to 1oz within 1" of lead/trail edge
2. Placement of 1" tabs:
For mailing pieces up to 1oz on lead/trail edge within 1" of top edge
3. Placement of 1" tabs:
For over 1 oz and Newsprint
Lead Edge: one within 1" of top and one at 1/2" from bottom
Trail Edge: one within 1" of top edge
