New Rules for Letter Sized Booklets

The new rules require 3 tabs (wafer seals) where two are now required, as can be seen from the chart below. And the tabs must now be 1.5 inches wide. These changes add cost to tabbing the booklet. Call Mailrite to discuss if your mail piece is affected. You can also read the USPS Final Rule in its entirety at the USPS Federal Register.

Booklets go at the "LETTER" postage rate. Bound pieces that are larger than  "booklet size" are mailed at the more expensive "FLATS" rates, and do not have to be tabbed. The maximum size for booklets will be 6 x 10.5 inches (see chart); currently it is 6.125 x 11.5. This means that some booklets that get the "LETTER" rate now will be charged the higher "FLATS" rate beginning September 8, unless they are redesigned to the new maximum dimensions.

Booklet Definition

Booklets must have a bound edge. Sheets that are fastened with at least two staples in the manufacturing fold (saddle stitched), perfect bound, pressed-glued, or joined together by another binding method that produces an end where pages are attached together are considered booklets. Booklets are open on three sides before sealing, similar in design to a book. In general, booklets must be uniformly thick. Large bound booklets that are folded for mailing qualify for automation and non-machinable prices if the final mail piece remains nearly uniform in thickness.

Physical Standards for Booklets effective Sept. 8, 2009:

• Height: 3.5 to 6 inches
• Length: 5 to 10.5 inches (see chart for exceptions)
• Thickness: 0.009 to 0.25 inches
• Weight: not more then 3 ounces
• Aspect Ratio: within 1.3 to 2.5
• Cover Stock Requirements: See Chart

Please click here to download this as a Printable PDF file

Paper Basis Weight Conversion Table

NOTE:
Paper basis weight is based on the weight of 500 sheets of:
25 x 38 inch sheets of book-grade paper,
17 x 22 inch bond-grade paper,
20 x 26 inch sheets of cover-grade paper,
24 x 36 inch sheets of newsprint.

For example, if 500 sheets of book-grade paper weigh 39 pounds, the paper is considered 39-pound book paper.