The questions below are the most commonly asked at the University Post Office concerning standard or bulk mail. If your question is not listed, please call us at 724-357-5581.
Overview
Standard mail, formerly referred to as “bulk” or “third-class” mail, is an economical means of providing reduced postage costs for mailing to off-campus audiences.
The purpose of standard mail is to send identical mail pieces weighing the same, shaped the same, and containing the same information or material to large off-campus audiences.
Below is a group of frequently asked questions concerning standard mail.
What are some general guidelines for standard mailing?
- 200 pieces is the minimum quantity that this service requires.
- All mailings must be university-related material.
- Standard mail privileges do not include foreign countries.
- Processing of political or religious materials by the university is prohibited.
What is the processing time for standard mail?
All mailings are to be scheduled in advance to ensure proper procedures and meeting of mailing deadlines. Standard mailing will be processed as scheduled and mailed within your guidelines, subject to:
- Lead time for receipt of materials.
- Number of departmental mailings scheduled prior to your request.
What are the required copy preparations?
- When a copy is prepared for reproduction utilizing University Printing, please include a mailing panel on flyers and brochures to contain a return address, cost center number, and standard mail (bulk mail) indicia.
- If envelopes are desired, the return address, cost center number, and standard mail indicia should be pre-printed.
- All envelopes must be sealed.
What are the billing procedures?
- All standard mailings must be accompanied by a “third-class mail request,” signed by an authorized budget holder and filled out in its entirety.
- Postage will be computed after standard mailing has been completed and prior to the actual mailing. Billing will be at the current nonprofit rate, provided it meets the requirements.
- Upon completion of necessary forms, users of standard mail (bulk mail) permit #198 will be billed at the appropriate rate for postage, and this amount will be transferred to the appropriate cost center number.
What are the postal requirements?
- Mailing must exceed 200 pieces, excluding IUP campus addresses.
All items to be mailed must contain a standard mail (bulk mail) indicia in the upper right corner (pictured to the right). This indicia must be added when envelopes are printed.- All items to be mailed must be the same weight and size. A piece weighing more than 16 ounces cannot be processed at the reduced standard mail rate.
- A list with names and address information must be sent with the Bulk Mail Work Order for Mailing.
Who do I contact if I still have questions?
University Printing and Postal Services, Bulk Mail Department: bulk-mail@iup.edu