The Postal Service will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 201.3.14, to provide new standards for folded self-mailers (FSM) and unenveloped mail pieces that are mailed at automation or machinable prices. To avoid confusion with revised standards for FSM mail pieces having loose enclosures, the Postal Service renames mail pieces that are designed to carry discs, and expands the standards that apply to tabs to include folded self-mailers.
What Matrix Label Expects
The fact that perforated tabs will be prohibited on all mail pieces starting in January 2013 will dramatically reduce the use of clear tabs. Clear tabs are difficult to open without a perforation and we expect our customers will transition to translucent paper tabs just as they did when this change was introduced for booklets in 2009. Moving forward Matrix Label will continue to carry Clear, Translucent, and White paper Tabs with the addition of Transparent Tabs in the coming months. Our Transparent Tabs are significantly less opaque than standard Translucent and are a good substitute for Clear Tabs. Unfortunately, the face sheet used to make these tabs is more expensive than standard Translucent and therefore the pricing structure will be slightly higher. For a sample of our Transparent Tabs please contact our customer service department.
The Transition Period
In anticipation of these changes, Matrix Label will begin to phase out our perforated and 15/16" tabs throughout the next few months. We do not however, have a firm timetable for this and will base our decisions off our current finished good inventory levels. We appreciate you patience during this transition period and would like to make is as smooth as possible for our customers.
Links
Existing Tabbing Guidelines for both Booklets & Folded Self Mailers
Finalized Ruling for Folded Self Mailers
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