The USPS delivers more than 160 billion pieces of mail annually, including critical communications like utility bills, tax notices, medical statements, and nonprofit correspondence—making postage and delivery decisions a foundational part of operational reliability. When you’re responsible for sending large volumes of personalized mail—such as bills, statements, notices, marketing pieces, or outreach communications—USPS postage pricing choices directly affect cost, delivery timing, and reliability. For municipalities, utilities, nonprofits, and medical offices especially, understanding these options isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for planning mailings that arrive when expected and stay within budget.
USPS offers multiple postage classes and delivery options, each with its own pricing structure, preparation requirements, and delivery timelines. The final cost depends on factors like size, weight, flexibility, sorting level, and how well the mail is prepared before it enters the postal system. Choosing the right option can significantly reduce postage spend while still meeting delivery expectations.
As a printer specializing in high-volume, personalized mail, we’re often asked: Which USPS class should we use, how long will it take, and what affects the price? This guide breaks it down in clear, practical terms.
How USPS Postage Pricing Really Works
USPS postage pricing is based on three core factors: size, weight, and delivery speed.
Another major factor is how well your mail is prepared for USPS. The more your mail service provider can sort pieces and apply a clean Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), the more postage discounts become available.
Mail is presorted into levels such as Mixed AADC, AADC, 3-Digit, and 5-Digit. Simply put, the more precisely mail is sorted by destination, the lower the postage cost. When mail is also machinable, meaning it’s designed to move smoothly through USPS equipment, it qualifies for even greater savings
Helpful questions to ask:
- Are we qualifying for presort discounts?
- Is our mail designed to be machinable?
- Are we leaving postage savings on the table?
First-Class Letter Mail: Fast and Predictable
First-Class letters are ideal for time-sensitive critical communications like bills, statements, legal notices, and medical correspondence.
To qualify as a letter, a piece must weigh 3.3 ounces or less, be under ¼ inch thick, and measure no larger than 6” x 11”. It must also be flexible enough to pass through USPS processing equipment.
One advantage of First-Class letters is that the price is the same for any weight up to 3.3 ounces. Delivery typically runs 1–3 days locally and up to 7 days nationally, though seasonal fluctuations can occur.
For standalone First-Class mailings, USPS requires 500 valid addresses.
First-Class Flats: For Thicker or Larger Pieces
If your mail piece exceeds 3.3 ounces, is thicker than ¼ inch, or is larger than 6” x 11”, it qualifies as a First-Class flat.
Flats are priced per ounce, with USPS rounding up to the next whole ounce. For example, a 2.3-ounce piece is charged as a 3-ounce piece. Like letters, flats must be flexible and machinable.
Delivery times are similar to First-Class letters—generally 1–3 days locally and up to 7 days nationally. The minimum for standalone First-Class flat mailings is also 500 valid addresses.
First-Class Cards (Postcards)
Postcards can qualify for a discounted First-Class postcard rate when they meet USPS requirements.
Cards must be 6” x 9” or smaller and printed on paper .009” thick or greater.
Cards can be mailed at the postcard First-Class rate or at Standard (Marketing Mail) rates, depending on speed and budget. Delivery times mirror those of letters and flats. As with other First-Class mailings, standalone card campaigns require 500 valid addresses.
USPS Marketing Mail (Standard / Bulk Mail)
USPS Marketing Mail—often called bulk or standard mail—is a cost-effective option when speed is less critical.
To qualify for the letter rate, pieces must weigh 3.3 ounces or less, be under ¼ inch thick, and no larger than 6⅛” x 11”. Heavier or larger piece mail such as flats, have pricing options available for up to 16 ounces.
Delivery typically runs 3–5 days locally and up to 14 days nationally. Marketing Mail requires a minimum of 200 valid addresses, making it well-suited for large, recurring mailings like utility notices or nonprofit communications.
Nonprofit Postage: The Lowest USPS Rates
Registered 501(c)(3) organizations may qualify for nonprofit postage rates—the lowest USPS offers. Approval requires a short application process, including USPS Form 3624 and supporting documentation such as IRS determination letters.
Setup usually takes a few weeks, but the savings can be significant for ongoing mail programs. Nonprofit mailings also require 200 valid addresses for standalone campaigns.
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
EDDM is designed for broad local outreach without a mailing list. Mail is delivered to every address along selected postal routes, making it useful for general awareness campaigns.
EDDM pieces must be flat size, such as postcards or flyers, and meet USPS size requirements. Postage is typically under $0.30 per piece. While cost-effective, EDDM does not provide address-level data, tracking, or personalization.
Carrier Route Mailings: More Targeting, Still Discounted
Carrier route mailings use a mailing list but qualify for USPS discounts by sorting mail to specific postal routes. This approach allows more targeting flexibility than EDDM while still reducing postage costs. These mailings are ideal when you need geographic or demographic targeting but don’t require the speed of First-Class delivery.
Choosing the Right Option
The best USPS option depends on your goals: urgency, budget, personalization, and audience. Your knowledgeable print-and-mail partner can help evaluate size, weight, timing, and sorting strategies to ensure you’re using the most cost-effective approach—without sacrificing reliability.
Understanding these options upfront helps avoid surprises and ensures your mailings arrive on time, to exactly where they need to be delivered.
Have questions about USPS options and which option is best for you? Reach out to us!
Ask about our Presort & Commingle Mail Services.