Why do the postcards I sent out have smudges on them?

If you’ve ever received a postcard with unsightly black or gray streaks across the front, you’re not alone. Smudges on USPS postcards are a common frustration for businesses and individuals alike. Whether you’re sending marketing postcards or personal greetings, those marks can make your mail piece look unprofessional. Let’s break down why this happens—and, more importantly, how you can prevent it.

Why Do USPS Postcards Get Smudged?

1. High-Speed Sorting Equipment

The USPS processes millions of postcards daily through automated sorting machines. These machines use rollers, belts, and ink-jet spray technology to apply barcodes. The friction and contact can sometimes cause scuffing or streaking, especially on glossy surfaces.

2. Ink from Postal Barcodes

As part of automation, the USPS applies an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb). The ink is often fast-drying, but on coated or glossy stocks, it can smear if the postcard rubs against another piece of mail.

3. Paper and Coating Type

Not all postcard paper is created equal. High-gloss UV-coated postcards look vibrant, but the slick surface can attract smudging when run through high-speed machines. Matte or uncoated stocks tend to resist smears better.

4. Handling During Transport

Mail doesn’t just travel through machines—it’s also stacked, bundled, and transported. Along the way, postcards rub against each other, sometimes transferring ink or causing abrasion.

How to Avoid Smudges on USPS Postcards

1. Add a Finish for extra protection

• Matte or Satin Coating: Provides protection without being too slick.

• Aqueous Coating: A thin water-based coating that adds durability while staying USPS-friendly.

2. Design with USPS Automation in Mind

Leave the barcode clear zone free of dark, glossy, or heavy ink coverage. This minimizes the chance of smears where USPS prints its barcode. Adding a barcode will also reduce the number of a machines the mail piece runs through reducing the chances of smudging. Return mail typically has more smudging as it will run through multiple machines

Final Thoughts

Smudges on USPS postcards are usually a byproduct of high-speed automation and paper finish—not a reflection of poor printing quality. The good news? With the right stock, coating, and design adjustments, you can dramatically reduce the chances of streaking.

At Action Mail, we specialize in printing and mailing postcards that not only look great but also arrive in your customers’ hands without the mess. If you’re planning a postcard campaign, we’ll help you choose the right paper and finish to ensure a clean, professional presentation.

USPS PCC (Postal Customer Council) Day 2025

We are excited to invite you to this year’s National Postal Customer Council (PCC) Week!

What are PCCs (Postal customer Councils)?

They are nationwide local United States Postal Service (USPS)-sponsored organizations where business mailers and shippers meet with local USPS leadership to have their issues addressed and learn about USPS products and services to help them grow their business.

What is PCC (Postal customer Council) Week?

National PCC Week is an annual event where the USPS Executive Leadership Team, Officers, and Executives attend local PCC events to share with attendees what’s new and trending in the mailing & shipping industry. This event is an opportunity for PCCs to come together, network, and celebrate with fellow PCC members the accomplishments from the past year. PCCs are the grassroots network that provides a successful solution for local business growth.

Why Attend PCC Week?

To hear the Postmaster General’s strategic corporate message and presentations from other USPS leaders. Additionally, there will be networking and educationalopportunities to help you grow personally and professionally. Our event will be held on August 29 th , 2025, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Don’t Delay…Register Day!

Leading Forward: USPS & Industry Excellence - San Diego/Inland Empire PCC Tickets, Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

The Holiday Hit: USPS Packages See New Rate Hike for 2025–2026

As the holiday season approaches, the United States Postal Service has unveiled new temporary rate increases that will impact many shoppers, businesses, and mailers starting this fall.

Timing & Scope: What You Need to Know

• Effective Dates: The surcharge applies from midnight Central on October 5, 2025, through midnight Central on January 18, 2026

• Affected Services: The increases apply to Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select, for both retail and commercial customers. Other services remain unchanged

• Purpose: These surcharges are intended to offset the heightened handling costs during peak season and align USPS pricing with competitive carriers like UPS and Fedex who also have similar surcharges

Rate Breakdown: How Much More Will You Pay?

Below are the average rate increases for each class

USPS Ground Advantage (overall average): +5.2%

• Retail: ~5.1%

• Commercial: ~5.3%

Priority Mail: +5.6%

• Retail: ~5.8%

• Commercial: ~5.2%

Priority Mail Express: +5.6%

• Retail: ~5.7%

• Commercial: ~4.9%

Smart Tips to Mitigate Holiday Costs

1. Compare carriers: FedEx and others also impose peak surcharges, but timing and amounts vary. Evaluating all options could save money

2. Estimate early: Use USPS calculators or compare with last year’s costs to plan your budget accordingly.

3. Ship strategic products: Flat‑rate boxes benefit light but bulky items; ground shipping can be more cost-effective for heavier packages.

4. Encourage early holiday shopping: Spreading volume earlier in the season can reduce surcharge exposure and boost customer satisfaction.

Final Thoughts

The USPS holiday rate increase for 2025–2026 reflects a pressing need to manage seasonal strain on its infrastructure and finances. While fees vary by weight, zone, and service, the bottom line is clear: expect higher costs on holiday shipping.

By staying informed and planning proactively, you can ease the budget impact and maintain smooth delivery operations during the busiest time of the year.

What is the most cost effective postcard size for printing and mailing?

A 4x6 postcard is the most cost effective size to both print and mail. Due to the the small size more 4x6 postcards can be printed on a large press sheet so the price is low compared to other sizes. This is also a common postcard size so equipment is setup to quickly run this size and they can often be run with other jobs to further reduce costs.

Why would I not print a 4x6 postcard?

4x6 postcards are small. Often times they may not have enough space to fit all the information required. Using QR codes and redirecting to websites can be something that can reduce the need for a larger size postcard. Another issue is that 4x6 postcards can sometimes be hidden in mail boxes by larger mail pieces. Many times people prefer to use a larger postcard to ensure it gets noticed in the mail box.

What other size postcards are available?

The most common postcard sizes are 4x6, 5x7, 8.5x5.5, 6x9, and 6x11. These sizes meet the USPS requirements for the lowest postage rates. typically the size that balances size and price is 8.5x5.5. Action Mail can also print any size postcard and larger cards may be more beneficial depending on the size and type of mailing.

Who is Eligible to Mail at Non Profit Rates

Non profit USPS postage rates are highly discounted to help non profit organizations. Due to the discount USPS is very strict on who qualifies for non profit rates and how the rates can be used.

Who qualifies for USPS non profit rates

Typically the following organizations with non profit status will qualify to be eligible for non profit rates

Agricultural

Educational

Fraternal

Labor

Philanthropic

Religious

Scientific

Veterans

Some political committees

Individuals are NOT eligible for nonprofit prices; also, not every organization is eligible, even though you may think it qualifies based on the list above. For example, business leagues, chambers of commerce, social and hobby clubs, and certain political organizations usually are NOT eligible.

The criteria the USPS uses is as follows

The organization is not organized for profit.

None of the organization’s net income is intended to benefit any individual or private stockholder.

If you are unsure, please contact us and we can review the organization and contact the USPS for approval. We can also provide and deliver the forms necessary to get the authorization.

What is eligible to mail at non profit rates?

The mailing is made up of USPS Marketing Mail matter only.

1. The mailing meets the standards for Presorted USPS Marketing Mail — i.e., it contains at least 200 addressed pieces or 50 pounds of addressed pieces.

2. The mailing is the organization’s own mail, it cannot be paid for or benefit a for profit organization

3. The mailing does not contain products or advertising ineligible for mailing at the nonprofit prices

4. The mailing will also have to have the return address and name registered with the USPS

Due to the large discounts USPS is very strict about non profit prices and there are huge consequences if the rules are broken.

If you have any questions or would like help applying for USPS non profit authorization please contact us

Same Day Turnaround Direct Mail

Action Mail can do Same Day Turnaround direct mail but it depends on the mailing and how it will be setup. Most direct mailing jobs require data work, file preparation, proofs, printing, sorting, addressing and mailing, which makes same day turn arounds difficult. Additionally the equipment and rush for these projects does make them more expensive.

Quick turn arounds are easier to accommodate if data or artwork is available in advanced or if we receive artwork prepopulated with data and addresses. Quick turn around are also easier if they come in to us on a predetermined scheduled to ensure we can schedule equipment and personnel.

How rush print and mail jobs are handled depends on the job and there are things we can do to expedite process and reduce costs, but there are a lot of factors that contribute to how quickly and cost effectively a job can be printed and mailed.

Please contact us if you have a quick turn around project and we will see if we can accommodate the request.

Why Businesses Still Rely on Direct Mail—and How You Can Stand Out in the Inbox

In a world dominated by email, DMs, and pop-up ads, it might surprise you to hear that direct mail is more effective than ever. According to the USPS, 73% of consumers say they prefer being contacted by brands via mail, and response rates for direct mail can be up to 9x higher than digital channels.

So why aren’t more businesses taking advantage of it?

At Action Mail, we’re on a mission to make high-impact print and mail easy, fast, and affordable—whether you need HIPAA-compliant statements, postcard campaigns, class-action letters, or EDDM for your local storefront.

Why Direct Mail Still Wins in 2025

Trust: Physical mail builds more trust than digital marketing. A printed piece feels real—and customers are more likely to read and keep it.

Visibility: Email inboxes are overloaded. Direct mail lands directly in the hands of your customer, with zero spam filters.

Targeting: With address-based mailing lists you can reach neighborhoods, income groups, or industries.  You can even target very specific demographics with specialty lists

ROI: Direct mail has one of the highest ROIs in marketing—especially when combined with digital retargeting.

What We Offer at Action Mail

We specialize in rapid-turnaround printing and mail services, including:

 Variable-Data Printing (personalized letters, invoices, benefit statements)
Statement Mail Processing with full HIPAA compliance
Full-Color Postcard Campaigns—design, print, and mail within 48 hours
USPS Marketing Mail and Presort First Class options
EDDM Design & Delivery targeting entire zip codes
Custom Fulfillment & Packaging with quality control tracking

We serve businesses of all sizes—from law firms and dental offices to eCommerce brands and political campaigns.

Real Results: What Our Clients Say

“We needed thousands of personalized benefit letters printed and mailed under strict deadlines. Action Mail handled everything from data merge to USPS entry. Seamless, secure, and fast.”
— Compliance Director, Healthcare Group

“We were paying too much and waiting too long with our old vendor. Action Mail cut our costs and got our postcards in the mail in two days. Huge difference.”
— Marketing Manager, Retail Chain

Get a Quote in Minutes—No Sales Pressure

Want to know how much your campaign will cost?

Request a Free Quote

Or call us at (760) 480 2323 to speak with a print/mail specialist.

USPS July 13, 2025 Rate Change

USPS July 13, 2025 Rate Change — What Mailers Need to Know

USPS will implement new mailing rates effective Sunday, July 13, 2025, with average increases of ~7.4% across all Market Dominant products. However, the impact varies widely depending on mail class, sort level, and entry point. Below is a summary from the perspective of high-volume mailers:

1. First-Class Mail — Retail and Metered

• Single-piece Forever stamp rises from $0.73 to $0.78

• Metered 1-oz letters increase from $0.69 to $0.74

• Additional ounce goes from $0.28 to $0.29

Impact for Mailers:

• Retail First-Class Mailers will feel a 6.8%–7.2% increase.

• Metered accounts (typically small businesses) see a similar increase.

• This mailstream remains expensive for volume use — budget-conscious mailers may consider shifting transactional or outreach pieces to presort or Marketing Mail where possible.

2. Presorted First-Class Mail

• Average increase: 7.6%

• Automation letters and flats see base price increases of 7.7–8.7%

• Discounts still apply, but SCF/NDC incentives have been reduced or removed

• Mailers can use promotions to offset some of the impact

Impact for Mailers:

• Presort mail remains the go-to for time-sensitive, personal, or statement mail, but mailers should budget for a higher cost per piece — especially for 2-oz letters and flats.

• CASS/NCOA compliance and proper sortation remain critical for maximizing discounts and avoiding undeliverables.

3. Marketing Mail (Commercial & Nonprofit)

• Commercial Marketing Mail sees up to 10.4% base rate increases, though average net increase is ~7.4%

• Nonprofit Marketing Mail still benefits from a 40%+ discount vs. commercial rates but is also impacted

• NDC discounts eliminated; SCF discounts reduced by 30%

• Saturation letters and flats (e.g., EDDM) also face higher costs

Impact for Mailers:

• Budget pressure for high-volume marketing campaigns, particularly those using destination-entry drop shipping.

• SCF drops now offer less savings, and NDC entry no longer helps — logistics strategies may need to shift.

• Saturation mailers (e.g., grocery, retail) will see significant per-piece cost increases — reconsider targeting strategy or test smaller lists.

Strategic Considerations for Mailers

• Reoptimize Drop Entry: SCF drops are still valuable but not as much as before; consider distribution modeling to find new cost-effective entry points.

• Review List Hygiene: Avoid wasted postage on bad addresses — maximize ROI with address updates (CASS/NCOA) and suppression strategies.

• Reevaluate Format Mix: Some mailers may consider shifting from flats to letter-size or testing EDDM as saturation discounts shrink.

Final Takeaways

• Presort mail remains the best value for transactional mail, but costs are rising.

• Marketing Mail is getting more expensive—especially for saturation and destination-entry strategies.

• Mailers must actively manage logistics, data quality, and creative formats to keep postage efficient.

• Nonprofits remain protected to a degree, but must be aware of the evolving structure of discounts.

Let me know if you’d like a custom breakdown for your specific mailing.

How to Set Up a File for Booklet Printing

Creating a booklet requires specific file preparation to ensure the final printed product looks professional and is assembled correctly. Follow these straightforward steps to set up your file for booklet printing.

1. Determine the Booklet Size and Page Count

Before starting your design, decide on the finished size of your booklet (e.g., 5.5" x 8.5", 8.5" x 11") and the total number of pages. Keep in mind that the total page count must be a multiple of four because booklets are typically printed on large sheets folded and trimmed. Keep in mind for a booklet the page count will need to be divisible by 4 to ensure all sides of a sheet are used.

2. Choose the Correct Software

Programs like Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator are well-suited for creating booklets. These tools support features such as page imposition and allow precise control over layout and margins.

3. Set Up Your Document Properly

• Page Size: Set your document’s page size to the final trimmed size of the booklet.

• Margins: Include appropriate margins (usually about 0.25" to 0.5") so content does not get cut off during trimming.

• Bleeds: Add at least a 0.125" bleed on all sides if your artwork or background extends to the edge of the page.

4. Export as a Print-Ready PDF

When exporting your file as PDF:

• Use PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 standards for compatibility.

• Include crop marks and bleed.

• Embed all fonts and convert colors to CMYK.

• Ensure your resolution is at least 300 dpi for images.

• Export 1 sheet per page, Action Mail will impose the files in the correct order to be printed

5. Double-Check and Proof

Review every page carefully. Verify page numbering, margins, bleeds, and overall layout. If possible, print a mock-up at home to check folding and page order.

Summary

Proper file setup for booklet printing involves choosing the right size, setting margins and bleeds, understanding page imposition, and exporting a print-ready PDF. Following these steps helps avoid printing errors and results in a polished, professional booklet.

Can I insure my packages?

Yes, you can insure your packages.  There are a few different options to insure packages and it depends on the carrier you use, the class of mail and how much you want to insure the packages for.

Typically insurance covers lost and damaged shipments, and if something happens to your package you will need to file a claim with the appropriate carrier or insurance company.  Most carriers like USPS (priority mail), UPS, and Fedex offer insurance up to $100 free of charge. If your items are more valuable than $100 you can always add additional insurance with a third party insurance provider.

Some services like USPS first class mail and international first class mail do not come with insurance. Insurance for these services can be purchased through a third party provider.  Even if you do not have insurance for these services you may be able to reclaim the postage funds if the package was not delivered.

Insurance does not cover items that are delivered than stolen.  Insurance will only cover lost or damaged items by the carrier.  To claim insurance you will need to submit a claim with the carrier and provide evidence that the items were lost or damaged.  This can be time consuming and can sometimes be hard to prove or demonstrate.  If you do receive a complaint from a client ask them to provide pictures of all angles of the packaging and as much information as possible.

The Argument, for Outsourcing Mailing and Printing; Why It's Time to Let Go of Your On Site Mail Department

In the paced world of business today companies are always looking for ways to streamline processes save money and increase efficiency. One area where improvements can be made is in managing mail services. While many businesses still handle printing, sorting and mailing tasks internally there are reasons to consider outsourcing these responsibilities to a mailing and printing service provider. In this article we will delve into the advantages of outsourcing mailing and printing tasks. Explain why it might be time to say goodbye to your on site mail department.

Cost Efficiency;

Running an internal mail department involves fixed costs such, as salaries, benefits, equipment upkeep and supplies. By outsourcing mailing and printing operations businesses can cut down on these expenses by transforming them into costs directly associated with usage. This flexible payment structure enables companies to adjust their mailing activities based on demand leading to long term savings.

Expertise and Efficiency;

When it comes to mailing and printing services their focus is, on expertise and efficiency. They have the know how and tools to get the job done swiftly and accurately. By using high speed printing gear and automated sorting systems outsourcing ensures that your mailings are handled with precision. This expertise results in processing times fewer mistakes and overall improved efficiency compared to doing it all in house.

Access to Advanced Technology;

Staying updated on the mailing and printing tech can be a challenge for mail departments. By turning to a service provider businesses can tap into cutting edge equipment and software without the investment. This technology allows for processing, better quality prints and more customization options empowering businesses to create impactful mailings for their recipients.

Scalability and Flexibility;

Outsourcing mailing and printing tasks provides businesses with flexibility and scalability than handling everything. Whether you're sending out a batch or a large volume of mailings professional providers can meet your needs efficiently. This scalability ensures that your mailing operations can adjust to changes, in volume or demand without disrupting workflow or productivity.

When you outsource your mailing and printing needs it allows your company to focus more on business activities. This shift, in attention can lead to increased productivity and growth without getting bogged down by tasks. Outsourcing also ensures that your sensitive information is handled with security measures and compliance standards reducing the risks of data breaches and other violations. Overall partnering with service providers can bring cost savings, expertise, advanced technology access, scalability, efficiency improvement and enhanced security for your business success, in todays environment.If you're prepared to bid farewell to your internal mail facility and discover the advantages of subcontracting get in touch with us now to explore how we can assist you in enhancing your mailing processes.

How Fast Can you Turnaround Direct Mailing and Printing Projects

Fast Turnarounds

Turnaround times depend on the project but sometimes we can send mailings and printing out same day or next day. Typically Action Mail’s turn around time is 3-5 days but it really depends on the complexity of the project. It is best to contact us regarding your specific project and we will see how quickly we can turn it around

Same Day or Next Day Turnaround

Same Day or Next Day turnaround may be possible but it often depends on what we have currently on our schedule and what type of printing this is. Typically postcard or flyer printing is much easier for us to turnaround quickly, but it will also depend on the design and volume.

Rush Turnaround Fees

Rush turnarounds do have additional fees and it can be much more expensive as we may need to print and run the project on different machinery to expedite processing. Pricing will depend on the specs and how we can process the printing and mailing to deliver on the rush turnaround.

It is best to contact us if you have a rush project and we will do our best to meet your deadline. We have systems in place to accomadate rush jobs, as we know how important it is to meet deadlines and have projects completed on time while still maintain a high uality.

How to Export Postcard Art in Canva for Printing

Canva is a great tool to make inexpensive artwork for printing yourself, but artwork should be created a certain way to get the best print quality. Canva is not as powerful as some other designing software but it is much easier to use.

Initial setup of Canva printing

It is important to setup the file correctly to ensure once it is designed the output will be correct. You will first need to select the correct size. Selecting the size will depend on preference, but different sizes may qualify for different postage rates and increased printing costs. For postcards we generally recommend 8.5x5.5, but it will depend on the type of mailing and budget. You will also need to ensure that bleeds are accounted for in the design. To view bleeds when designing click File -> Settings then select Show Print Bleed. The Canva design will now have a outline of where the postcard will be cut. Please have artwork extend past this cut line so the artwork extends to the edge of the piece once printed and cut. Please note that we recommend not leaving a 1/8” buffer around the cut lines to ensure nothing relevant to the design gets cut. Your postcard is now ready to design in Canva

Exporting a Print Ready File from Canva

To export a print ready file from Canva you will need to Select File then click Download. There will be a popup on the right of the screen in this popup select the following options. For File type select PDF Print, check the boxes for Crop marks and bleed as well as Flatten PDF. Ensure the pages you want to download are selected. For the color profile it is best to select CMYK, but this does require a premium plan. If you select RBG we will convert the file to CMYK when printing but the conversion may change some colors slightly. Then select Download and send us the PDF file that is generated.

If you need help exporting a file you can share the link with us and we can download it. We can also provide expert designers who can design your mail piece in more powerful Adobe programs. Please contact us if there is anything we can help with.

How an Organization Can Qualify for Nonprofit Mailing

In order to be mail at non-profit rates the following criteria will need to be met. The USPS does have an option of a collaborative mailing where a for profit organization may mail with a non profit, but this can only be done if the messaging only benefits the non profit.

1. Meet Eligibility Criteria

An organization must fall into one of these categories:

• Religious

• Educational

• Scientific

• Philanthropic

• Agricultural

• Labor

• Veterans

• Fraternal (with some restrictions)

• Political or voter registration organizations

• Other nonprofits serving specific community or charitable purposes

Note: The organization must be nonprofit and recognized as tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) or other qualifying 501(c) categories.

2. Apply for Authorization

• File PS Form 3624: "Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices"

• Submit it to the Mailing Standards Specialist at the post office where you hold (or will open) your mailing permit.

Required documents:

• Copy of IRS tax-exempt determination letter

• Organizing documents (e.g., Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws)

• Financial records if requested

3. Maintain Eligibility

• The content of the mail must relate to the organization's mission.

• You cannot use nonprofit rates for mail that primarily promotes a business, contains excessive advertising, or benefits a for-profit entity.

• Reauthorization is not required yearly, but the USPS can review and revoke status if rules are violated.

What Is Cooperative Mailing?

Cooperative mailing occurs when two or more organizations collaborate to send out mail together under one nonprofit authorization.

Rules for Cooperative Mailings:

• Only permissible if all parties are eligible nonprofit organizations AND the mailing promotes their mutual nonprofit purposes.

• The nonprofit organization must control the mailing: content, purpose, and beneficiary.

• No for-profit benefit is allowed.

• All content must relate to the nonprofit’s mission.

• Violating these rules can lead to revocation of nonprofit mailing privileges and retroactive postage charges at regular rates.

Common Violations:

• A nonprofit includes advertising from a for-profit business in their mailing in exchange for sponsorship.

• A nonprofit mails on behalf of a for-profit company (even if they share similar goals).

Acceptable Example:

• Two 501(c)(3) educational nonprofits jointly send a newsletter promoting a collaborative program.

Bound Printer Matter

What is bound printer matter?

Bound printed matter is a class of USPS mail that allows mailers to send heavy booklets and catalogs at lower prices. This applies to both flats and packages.

How can my mailing qualify?

The basic requirements are below, but a mock up may be necessary to review to ensure it meets the requirements, as some are fairly vague

Weigh no more than 15 pounds. Pieces might be subject to other minimum weights or dimensions based on the standards for specific prices.

1. Consist of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material (or any combination of such material).

2. Be securely bound by permanent fastenings such as staples, spiral binding, glue, or stitching. Loose-leaf binders and similar fastenings are not considered permanent.

3. Consist of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by any process other than handwriting or typewriting with words, letters, characters, figures, or images (or any combination of them).

4. Not have the nature of personal correspondence.

5. Consist of mailable matter that is neither mailed or required to be mailed as First-Class Mail nor entered as Periodicals

6. Not be stationery, such as pads of blank printed forms.

There may also be some additional inserts that are not booklets or catalogs, but these will need to be approved as well.

Bound printed matter is a great mailing class to cost effectively ship and mail heavy booklets and catalogs.

For more information contact us, as the rules are fairly complicated

San Diego Postal Customer Council

What is the San Diego Postal Customer Council?

The mission of the San Diego PCC is to serve as an open channel for USPS-to-business communication, providing information and best practices for achieving cost-effective and profitable mailing, education, and training, as well as solving local challenges. Basically this is an organization which provides a link between businesses and the USPS and provides support for businesses to USPS services.

Why Join the Postal Customer Council?

Below are are a few reasons

Networking - Hear how to put others' best practices to use for you.
Information - Help your business be more productive.
Communications - Interact with mailers, vendors, and postal service personnel.
Education - Learn how the postal service can help your business become more profitable.

The PCC regularly holds events where you can meet postal employees, network with other local businesses, and learn more about how to use the USPS to benefit your business.

How to join?

To join the PCC it is best to contact (858) 674-0371 or (858) 674-0500 or sandiegocrc@usps.gov, you can also contact us and we can help facilitate joining the PCC.

Postal Service Postmaster General/CEO Leadership Transition

USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced that he has the intention of retiring and Deputy Postmaster General Doug Tulino will be taking over the position until the Board of Governors appoint a new Postmaster General.

What does this mean for bulk mailers?

We do not know what this means, but as of now nothing seems to be changing drastically until a new Postmaster General is appointed. His retirement comes shortly after asking DOGE for assistance in cutting costs which led to protest by USPS employees. The direction of the USPS Board of Governors will signal the direction of the USPS and how this will effect both mailers and USPS employees.

Below is the full statement from Louis DeJoy

“After nearly five years as America’s 75th Postmaster General, and after informing the Governors in February of my intention to retire, I have today informed the Postal Service Board of Governors that today will be my last day in this role. I believe strongly that the organization is well positioned and capable of carrying forward and fully implementing the many strategies and initiatives that comprise our transformation and modernization, and I have been working closely with the Deputy Postmaster General to prepare for this transition. While our management team and the men and women of the Postal Service have established the path toward financial sustainability and high operating performance – and we have instituted enormous beneficial change to what had been an adrift and moribund organization – much work remains that is necessary to sustain our positive trajectory. I am confident that Doug will continue our positive momentum during the period when the Governors undertake the important work of identifying and selecting the next Postmaster General. I also have no doubt that the entirety of the Postal Service will aggressively shape its future and become more efficient, capable, and competitive as it continuously changes and improves to best serve the American public.

It is with great pride that I pass the baton to Deputy Postmaster General, Doug Tulino, until the Governors name my permanent successor. The Governors have hired a search firm in support of those efforts, which are well underway. I shall cheer on America’s 76th Postmaster General and the 640,000 men and women of the United States Postal Service who I have called my colleagues and friends for close to five years. It has been one of the pleasures of my life and a crowning achievement of my career to have been associated with this cherished institution, the United States Postal Service.”

How to Qualify for USPS Non-profit Postage Rates

USPS non profit postage rates are almost half the cost of standard marketing mail rates. In order to qualify for them there are specific requirements and forms that need to be completed.

In order to qualify for non profit rates you must be one of the following organizations with non profit status

Agricultural

Educational

Fraternal

Labor

Philanthropic

Religious

Scientific

Veterans

Some political committees

Not every organization is eligible, for example, business leagues, chambers of commerce, social and hobby clubs, and certain political organizations usually, or individuals are NOT eligible.

To submit an application you will need to fill out this form, and submit it to the Bulk Mail Entry Unit at a USPS post office.

You must submit some documentation with your application to support your claim for nonprofit prices:

• Formative papers—e.g., articles of incorporation, constitution, or charter.

• IRS letter of exemption from payment of federal income tax.

• Other evidence of nonprofit status—e.g., a financial statement prepared by a responsible party such as a certified public accountant substantiating organization's nonprofit status (statement must include balance sheets, income statement, notes, etc.).

Some mailers provide additional supporting documentation:

• List of the organization's activities during the past 12 months.

• Financial statement showing receipts and expenditures for the past fiscal year, plus the budget for the current year.

• Other documents of operation—e.g., the organization's bulletins, minutes of meetings, brochures.

When completing the documentation keep in mind that the address noted on the application will need to be the return address on your mail piece so the USPS can verify that the authorized organization is sending mail at non profit rates.

If you need help with your nonprofit authorization please contact us

Maximum Size for USPS Flat Sized Mail Piece

The maximum size for a USPS flat size mail piece is 15x12x0.75 inches. Most of the time the issue is that disqualifies a mailing from being classified as a flat is the thickness but the length and width can also be an issue. Surprisingly there are no standard envelopes that are at the 15x12 maximum size, the closest is a 15.5x12. There are certain things that can be done if an 15x12 envelope is needed but the options would depend on the mail piece and desired look.

If one of the dimensions is larger than 15x12x.075 the piece no longer qualifies as a flat but instead would need to be sent as a USPS package which can increase the postage costs significantly. It is best to design a mail piece that falls within the USPS requirements for a flat which include the maximum size of 15x12x.075 but there are also additional requirements which help ensure the mail pieces can run through USPS automation equipment. It is best to mock up a sample and have it reviewed by a mail house or the USPS to ensure the specs are within the USPS guidelines

USPS Closed January 9th 2025

The USPS will be closed January 9th 2025 in honor of the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter. There will be no mail delivery and USPS will not be accepting mailings either. The bulk mail unit at certain USPS locations will be accepting bulk mailings, so Action Mail will be delivering mail to the post office as normal. There will also be postal employees sorting and transporting mail. Action Mail expects there to be some delays with mail delivery but we do not expect this to have a large impact and we will continue operations as normal.