Start With the Real Goal: Lower Total Delivered Cost 

It’s easy to focus on postage alone, but the smarter metric is total delivered cost. That includes: 

• Postage or carrier fees��

• Prep and handling��

• Freight and entry��costs��

• Waste from undeliverable records��

• The��cost of delays or inconsistent��timing��

The most effective mailing strategies reduce cost across��all��these areas. In many cases, the biggest savings do not come from��promotions;��they’re��impacted��more significantly by how��the mail is prepared and where it enters the postal network.��In simple terms, better��logistics��equals��better pricing.��

The Foundation: Presort, Clean Data and Postal Readiness 

Before moving into specialty programs, it is critical to get the basics right. Creating mail files that are clean and properly structured sets your entire mailing operation up for success. At a minimum, strong mailing programs include: 

• Address validation and standardization��

• National Change of Address updates��

• Duplicate removal��

• Proper segmentation for presort��

��
Presort is��a key cost driver, but it is important to understand what is and is not within your control. USPS sets strict requirements for how many pieces must go to a specific location to qualify for deeper presort levels, so most mailers cannot improve��their��presort simply by cleaning up or adjusting their lists.

In practice, the primary way to achieve better presort rates is by��participating��in a commingling program, where your mail is combined with other jobs to meet those thresholds and unlock��additional��savings.��

Program 1: Commingle for Letter-Size Mailings 

Commingling is when multiple mailers combine their pieces into a single, larger mailing. That combined volume allows access to better presort tiers and workshare discounts. Commingling is often used for: 

• Smaller individual mailings that would not qualify for deeper discounts on their own��

• Programs that can tolerate shared scheduling windows��

• Mailers looking for incremental savings without changing format��

Program 2: Comail to Unlock Bigger Presort Discounts 

Comail follows the same concept, but it is designed for flat-size publications. 

Instead of mailing one publication by itself, multiple pieces are combined into a shared pool. This increases total mail volume, which allows the group to qualify for deeper presort discounts. From an operational standpoint: 

• Mail files are��combined into a shared pool��

• Pieces are presorted together��

• Final pallets are built for optimized distribution��

This approach works best when mailing flat-size publications such as magazines or��catalogs.��

When Comail is a strong fit 

• Flat-size pieces that��benefit��from volume-based discounts��

• Programs with predictable schedules��

• Mailers��comfortable aligning production to shared mailing pools��

In many cases, the added scale results in lower postage and more efficient entry into the��mailstream.��

Program 3: Drop Shipping With USPS 

In mailing terms, drop shipping refers to entering mail deeper into the postal network rather than introducing it locally. 

Instead of sending all mail through a single origin point, mail is transported closer to where it will be delivered. This reduces the amount of work USPS needs to perform, which leads to discounts. This is often called destination entry or Plant Verified Drop Shipping. 

Key advantages include: 

• Lower postage through workshare discounts��

• Faster in-home delivery in many cases��

• More predictable delivery timing��

This approach becomes more valuable as postal pricing increasingly rewards operational efficiency. The closer mail is entered to its destination, the greater the potential savings.

It is important to evaluate each job carefully by coordinating with your presort provider to confirm whether it��qualifies for��savings, especially as recent rising freight costs have reduced the overall value of drop shipping in some cases.��

How to Choose the Best-Fit Program for Your Project 

Each program has strengths. The right choice depends on your specific mailing profile. Use these questions as a starting point: 

1. What format are you mailing?��

• Letter-size: evaluate��commingling��

• Flat-size: evaluate��comail��

• Products or kits: evaluate fulfillment and carrier options��

2. What is your volume?��

Higher volume increases eligibility for deeper presort levels, while lower volume may benefit from pooled programs. 

3. How flexible is your schedule?��

Pooling programs require alignment with shared timelines. Independent entry offers more control, but may limit savings. 

4. How clean is your data?��

Strong data unlocks discounts, while weak data increases costs and risk. 

In many cases, the best results come from combining multiple strategies rather than relying on a single solution. 

How 91����.com Helps You Save While Protecting Quality and Timelines 

Once the right strategy is identified, execution becomes the next critical step. That is where a print and mailing partner adds value. 91����.com approaches mailing as a fully integrated part of the production process, not a separate service at the end. 

Some of our capabilities include: 

• Presort optimization and address hygiene��assistance��

• Comail��and��commingle��program participation��

• Plant Verified Drop Shipping and destination entry planning��

• Accurate postage estimating and test file analysis��

• Tracking and visibility throughout the��mailstream��

• Assistance��applying for discounts and��promotions��

• Scheduling support to align production with mailing windows��

The goal is to match each project to the most effective mix of programs while��maintaining��quality, accuracy, and on-time delivery.��

Explore Postal Savings With 91����.com’s Mailing Options 

Navigating mailing best practices and postal regulations can be difficult, but we’re here to help. Our team can help you find savings and put together a personalized mailing program that fits your timeline and budget.  

Ready to learn more? Get in touch with us today. 

* This article was developed with assistance from OpenAI’s GPT 5.5 large language AI model.

The post Specialty Mailing Programs: How��to Save on Shipping first appeared on 91����.com.

Key Promotion Dates

• Registration Window: August 15, 2025 – June 30, 2026
• Promotion Period: October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026

Do You Qualify?

To be eligible for the discount, your catalog must meet USPS criteria:

• A minimum of 12 bound pages (can be letter, flat or parcel shaped)
• Must be mailed as USPS Marketing Mail (profit or nonprofit)
• Must include a list of products or services
  
• Must provide ordering information
  

How to Apply

Here’s what 91����.com customers need to do to take advantage of this promotion:

1. Create or log in to your USPS Business Customer Gateway (BCG) account
   
   • Need help setting one up? Contact your 91����.com rep to get your CRID (Customer Registration ID) for a faster setup.
2. Get pre-approval through the Mailing Promotions Portal in the BCG
   • You’ll be asked to answer a few questions and upload sample catalog pages.
3. Register for the Catalog Insights Promotion in the BCG once pre-approved.
4. Notify 91����.com
   
   • Share your USPS approval letter with your Sales Rep or CSR, and let us know which of your mailings will use the promotion.

Helpful Resources

• Support Contacts:
  
  • Email: MSSC@USPS.gov
  • Phone: 1-877-672-0007

Questions about the portal: mailingpromotions@usps.gov

The post USPS To Offer 10% Postage Discount with Catalog Insights Promotion first appeared on 91����.com.

Understanding the Pricing Structure

There are three levels of USPS pricing: class level pricing, product level pricing and presort level pricing. While the USPS has shared updates for class and product levels, presort pricing remains unclear, and it’s the most variable due to its reliance on individual mailing files and presort.

Class and Product-Level Pricing Highlights

The average Price Change percentage by Class:

The average price change percentage by Product:

Marketing Mail Letters

• Some presort tiers will see increases up to 11.64%.
• The SCF (Sectional Center Facility) discount drops from $27/M to $17/M.

Marketing Mail Flats

• Presort price increases range from 13% to 18%.
• SCF discounts reduced from $7/M to $3.80/M.
• New container discounts may help offset costs, depending on presort specifics.

Bound Printed Matter

• Two sets of pricing are being published for flats and parcels, due to a proposal to eliminate Bound Printed Matter pricing altogether. A final ruling from the PRC may not come until after the rate case is finalized.

Structural Changes

• USPS proposes eliminating NDC pricing and further reducing SCF discounts for letters, adding complexity to estimating future rates.
• Expect pricing shifts that could result in higher origin pricing, particularly for mail previously qualifying under NDC rates.
• Presorted pricing will be eliminated for Media Mail and Library Mail – only basic rates will remain.

USPS Promotions and Incentives for 2026

New: Catalog Insights Promotion

• 10% discount for eligible catalogs mailed between October 2025 and June 2026
• Must include 12+ pages, be bound/fastened and provide sufficient product, pricing and ordering information

Returning Incentives

• First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail Growth Incentives .
• Expansion of a for third-party providers who bundle ads from multiple businesses into a single mail piece.

Increased Discounts

• Integrated Technology: 5% (up from 3%)
• Tactile, Sensory, Interactive: 5% (up from 4%)
• Continuous Contact: 5% (up from 3%)
• Sustainability and Informed Delivery: remain at 1% each

A Word of Caution: Promotions are great, but USPS considers the value of these discounts as “claimed cap space,” which may justify future rate increases to make up for previously offered savings.

Final Note

All proposed changes are pending PRC (Postal Regulatory Commission) approval. We’ll continue to monitor developments and update you as new information becomes available, especially as presort-level details are released.

Stay tuned and stay prepared!

The post USPS Rate Changes and Promotions Coming in July 2025 first appeared on 91����.com.

• Marketing Mail: Big changes are on the horizon, including the elimination of automation basic carrier route letter rates and the creation of a “Heavy Printed Matter” category for parcels. Flats up to 20 ounces could be moved to Marketing Mail, and the Marketing Mail Flat Carrier Route weight limit may increase to 24 ounces. Destination NDC discounts for Marketing Mail are also potentially on the chopping block.
• Bound Printed Matter: This rate structure could be eliminated altogether. Flats would likely move to Marketing Mail.
• Media/Library Mail: We may see the end of 5-Digit and Basic Presort pricing options.
• First Class Mail: An SCF Pallet Discount is being considered. Bundling for First Class Mail Flats prepared in Tubs might be eliminated.
• Other Potential Changes: The Marriage Mail Incentive could be extended. USPS Marketing Mail Parcel dimensions may be updated, potentially leading to a “nonprofit Nonstandard” pricing structure.

This summary doesn’t cover all the proposed changes. For the full details, you can review the USPS release here:

Important Note: These changes have not yet been proposed and are subject to approval. The USPS is releasing this information for planning purposes, and the final rules could look different. Stay tuned for further updates as these proposals move through the approval process. We’ll keep you informed of any changes that may affect your mailing operations.

The post USPS Proposed Changes for July 2025: What We Know So Far first appeared on 91����.com.

This measure would raise shipping prices by approximately 3.2 percent for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, 3.9 percent for USPS Ground Advantage and 9.2 percent for Parcel Select. These changes to Competitive products come on the heels of September’s announcement that the USPS would not seek price increases on Market Dominant products in January.

These price increases are part of an effort by the USPS to remain competitive in consideration of market conditions while still providing consistent service across the United States. : “As a strategic part of the Delivering for America 10-year plan, the proposed shipping services price changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving the organization’s public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term.”

These proposed changes will be reviewed by the PRC before they are scheduled to take effect.

The post USPS Announces Shipping Rate Increases for 2025 first appeared on 91����.com.

What Should Customers Expect?

, customers should expect delays due to the strike activity. “Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over.” However, Canada Post assures customers that items will be delivered as quickly as possible once operations resume. To stay up to date on the status of negotiations, visit .

What Does This Mean for 91����.com Customers?

This strike will likely affect 91����.com customers who send mail items across the border. According to our Canadian mail vendors, they will continue to accept Canadian mail and hold it until the strike ceases and normal mailing operations resume. However, this protocol could change if the strike lasts longer than expected.

91����.com customers who have any specific questions about how this strike will affect their mailing should contact their Customer Service Representative for more information. Customers who use an outside mailing vendor should contact them directly for more information about how they’re navigating this strike.

Update: Jan. 6, 2025

U.S. Postal Service will resume acceptance of mail and packages to Canada

The U.S. Postal Service will resume acceptance of mail and packages to Canada starting Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Canada Post has made significant progress in clearing delayed volumes caused by this strike, and now commercial and retail customers, as well as those using online systems, will be able to send mail and packages to Canada once again.

1. The U.S. Postal Service stays in touch with its customers, including international customers via its Service Alerts page, which is found here:��
2. Information about Canada Post’s status is available at��.

The post Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Announces Strike first appeared on 91����.com.

The rate increases would affect select commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels, including Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. Assuming the changes are approved by the Postal Regulatory Committee (PRC), these price increases would go into effect on Oct. 6, 2024, and cease on Jan. 18, 2025.

In their update, the DMM Advisory wrote:

The U.S. Postal Service filed notice today with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package services for the 2024 peak holiday season. This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.

The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 8, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. No other products or services would be affected. Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at midnight Central on Oct. 6 and remain in place until midnight Central on Jan. 19, 2025.

This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.

As a strategic part of the 10-year plan, these temporary changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving our public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.

The planned price changes include:

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4

Commercial:

• $0.30 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

• $0.70 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.35 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.75 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4

Retail:

• $0.40 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $0.55 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $0.95 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $4.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

• $0.90 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.45 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $8.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

• $0.50 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.00 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express:

Commercial:

• $1.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.95 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $13.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Retail:

• $1.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
• $2.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
• $4.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
• $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
• $9.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.
• $16.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect on Oct. 6. Complete USPS price filings, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website’s Daily Listings section at . Price change tables are also available on the Postal Explorer website at .

Notably, the Postal Service has some of the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great value in shipping.

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