Confused About Folded Self Mailer Regulation Changes?

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.

We have discussed postal regulation changes regarding a category of mail called Folded Self Mailers in previous blogs. (See New Requirements for Folded Self-Mailers). Recently, however, we ran across a video (thanks Fold Factory!) which clearly shows and explains the new regulations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fK4CkcZTN6Q

One important part of this video is the description of what can and cannot be used as the addressing panel. This change is catching many designers by surprise. Under the new regulations, the mailing panel cannot be created by the final fold.

Another change catching printers and designers by surprise is the paper weight requirement. Whereas compliance with postal regulations used to be based on mail piece thickness, you will see in the video that compliance is now based on a combination of thickness and paper weights.

The video is well done and only seven and a half minutes long. Happy viewing!