Postal Encyclopedia

A USPS processing facility sort level used for automation mail prepared to groups of ZIP Codes served by an area distribution center.

USPS electronic address-correction service that can return move and undeliverable information instead of relying only on physical returned mail.

The area containing recipient name, delivery address, city, state, ZIP Code, and often the Intelligent Mail barcode.

An addressing method such as “OR CURRENT RESIDENT” used when a mailer wants delivery to the address even if the named recipient is no longer there.

Printed instructions such as Address Service Requested or Return Service Requested that tell USPS what to do with undeliverable mail.

A discounted rate for qualifying mail prepared with readable barcodes, proper addressing, and USPS automation-compatible design.

The USPS unit where commercial mailings are accepted, verified, and paid.

Per-piece variable-data verification during addressing. Each mailpiece is photographed by a Cognex camera as it runs through the addressing machine; the decoded address, IMb, and other variable data are compared against the final addressing/BCC reference file. Failed reads are auto-diverted from the live mail stream for reprint or recovery, and a per-job verification report (read rate, verified rate, bad-read images) is produced for the customer.

Mail prepared by the USPS carrier route that delivers it. Carrier-route preparation can qualify for lower postage when density and preparation rules are met.

USPS-certified address matching software that standardizes addresses and appends ZIP+4, carrier route, and delivery-point data when available.

A USPS identifier for a business location or mail owner in PostalOne!/Business Customer Gateway workflows.

The destination post office or delivery unit responsible for final delivery to the addressed route or ZIP Code.

Destination entry at the SCF serving the delivery ZIP Codes, often used to improve timing and reduce postage for qualifying mail.

A USPS service for mailing to entire carrier routes without a named address list. Retail EDDM does not support Informed Delivery ride-along campaigns because it does not use an IMb on each piece.

Electronic postage statements and mailing documentation used for Full-Service, Seamless, eInduction, and PostalOne! workflows.

USPS electronic verification of destination-entered mailings and containers, reducing paper forms and supporting destination-entry logistics.

A pattern of vertical bars printed near the postage area on certain reply mail pieces to support USPS processing.

A mailpiece larger than letter dimensions that remains flexible and meets USPS flat-size standards.

A folded mailpiece sent without an envelope. Fold orientation, final size, tabs, and address placement must meet USPS rules.

A USPS program using unique Intelligent Mail barcodes, electronic documentation, and mail visibility data for qualifying commercial mail.

A carrier-route pricing category based on delivering enough pieces per route to qualify for a density discount.

A deeper carrier-route density category for higher saturation of a carrier route.

A USPS barcode that can encode tracking, routing, mailer identification, and service information for letters and flats.

The printed postage/payment block usually located in the upper-right corner of a mailpiece.

A free USPS consumer program that allows eligible campaigns to add a digital ride-along image and clickable URL to Daily Digest email previews.

USPS data used to convert old rural-style or changed addresses to current city-style addresses when available.

A machinable letter generally falls between 3.5 x 5 inches and 6.125 x 11.5 inches and within thickness/weight limits.

A standardized file set used to submit commercial mailing documentation electronically to USPS.

A USPS-issued number used in Intelligent Mail barcodes and electronic documentation to identify the mailer or mail owner.

A USPS class for advertising and promotional mail. It has lower postage than First-Class but different forwarding/return treatment by default.

USPS requirement to update addresses within the required timeframe using approved methods such as NCOA Link for many commercial mailings.

USPS-licensed processing that checks addresses against change-of-address records to identify moves and forwarding addresses.

Mail that does not qualify for automation prices, often due to preparation, addressing, barcode, or machinability limitations.

Reduced USPS Marketing Mail prices available to qualifying organizations with USPS nonprofit authorization.

The lower portion of a letter-size mailpiece where USPS equipment expects to read the delivery address and barcode.

Postage paid through a USPS permit account and shown by printed indicia rather than stamps or meters.

The Kirk-Rudy Phoenix is used for flats only. The Phoenix production workflow tracks each piece through the flats addressing run, uses camera/print verification to detect unreadable, jammed, or bad pieces, auto-diverts failed pieces out of the live stream, and queues them for controlled reprint/recovery. This gives Plavidian a 100% confirmed printed list while preserving bundle breaks, top-piece OELs, ZIP sections, and pallet preparation order.

The USPS form or electronic statement summarizing mail class, counts, sortation, entry, and postage due.

Sorting mail by ZIP, route, or facility before entry to qualify for USPS workshare discounts.

A common indicia marking for USPS Marketing Mail, formerly Standard Mail.

An ancillary endorsement that directs USPS to return undeliverable mail with the new address or reason for nondelivery when applicable.

The color image shown in a subscriber Daily Digest email for an eligible Informed Delivery campaign, typically linked to a campaign URL.

A high-density carrier-route category where most delivery points on a route receive the mailpiece.

A USPS processing facility serving groups of ZIP Codes. SCF entry can affect postage and delivery timing.

USPS acceptance program that uses electronic documentation and scan data to evaluate mail quality rather than relying only on manual acceptance checks.

Additional addresses included in a mailing so the mailer, client, or campaign can verify delivery and timing.

Postage price used for pieces not qualifying for presort/automation discounts, such as First-Class nonpresorted/single-piece machinable letters.

Applying tabs or wafer seals to folded self-mailers/booklets so they stay closed during USPS processing.

One service name for USPS IMb scan visibility reports as mail moves through processing.

Mail USPS cannot deliver as addressed because of issues such as moves, incomplete addresses, vacancies, or no mail receptacle.

A nine-digit ZIP Code that identifies a smaller delivery segment and supports accurate routing, barcoding, and automation.