DOMESTIC PRODUCTS

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION

Picture Permit Imprint Indicia

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 2

Contents

• Picture Permit ― What is it?• Elements & samples• Who’s it for?• Why use it?• How much does it cost?• Application process• Resources & contacts

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 3

Picture Permit — what is it?• Commercial mail permit indicia

– First-Class Mail or Standard Mail letters and cards• Customize with company logos, brand images, or

trademarks• Use as “prime real estate” on mailpiece to

advertise brand• Pennies per

mailpiece

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 4

Elements of Picture PermitIndicia elements

• Mail class• U.S. Postage Paid• City and State (ZIP Code optional)• Permit number

Domestic Mail Manual Section 604.5.3 http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm#wp1080814

PRSRT STD AUTOU.S. POSTAGE PAID

NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 99

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 5

Elements of Picture Permit (cont.)Customized elements (“imprint”)• Company logos, brand images,

or trademarks• “Color” images only• No QR codes in indicia area• Minimum 8 pt text• OCR readable font

– San serif preferred

Domestic Mail Manual Section 604.5.3 http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/604.htm#wp1080814

PRSRT STD AUTOU.S. POSTAGE PAID

NEW YORK, NY PERMIT NO. 99

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 6

Picture Permit — samples

Not to scale.

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 7

Picture Permit — samples (cont.)

Not to scale.

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 8

Picture Permit — who’s it for?• New/existing permit mailers (mailers & MSPs)• Commercial mailings

– Automation First-Class Mail andStandard Mail letters & cards only

• Full-service IntelligentMail barcode (IMb)

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 9

Picture Permit — why use it?• Capture attention• Corroborate details of mailpiece• Increase brand

awareness• Unleash creativity

of mailer• Improve open rate• Improve ROI

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 10

Picture Permit — how much does it cost?• First-Class Mail letters and cards – 1¢ per piece

(plus applicable postage)• Standard Mail (Standard Carrier Route letters,

High Density and Saturation letters) – 2¢ per piece (plus applicable postage)

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 11

Application processStep 1• Go to usps.com/picturepermit to review

guidelines and complete the online registrationStep 2• Complete online Picture Permit application

(PS Form 3615-A), providing: – Permit indicia information– Signed agreement

• Submit signed copy to: picturepermit@usps.com

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 12

Step 3 •Program Management Office (PMO) confirms application has been approved•Submit PDF copy of addressed mailpiece (showing envelope/card dimensions, IMb, clear zone, and proposed Picture Permit design) to: picturepermit@usps.com

Application process (cont.)

Application Approved

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 13

Step 4•After Picture Permit design (in PDF) is approved

– Submit 500 sample mailpieces for operational tests– Must be the exact replicas of mailpieces intended

for induction into mailstream– Each sample mailpiece must include:

×Complete “live” address of the intended recipient ×Return address of the sender×Picture Permit×Full-Service Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

Application process (cont.)

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 14

Step 4 (continued)•Allow 30-45 days for operational tests•Following successful tests, PMO will request mailing schedule with dates and volumes

Application process (cont.)

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 15

In closing…

Now, for the first time ever, customers can use thepermit indicia on a mailpiece for advertisingand branding.

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION 16

For more information• USPS.com USPS.com/picture permit• RIBBS https://ribbs.usps.gov/

OverviewFAQsFact Sheet SamplesProgram RequirementsRegistration LinkApplication Form

USPS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS | NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION

Picture Permit Program OfficeU.S. Postal Service 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 5621Washington DC 20260

17

Questions

Contact us at:

picturepermit@usps.com