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STANDARD (Bulk) MAIL NON-AUTOMATED SORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Basic Packaging Requirements

Please follow these directions step by step when packaging your mail:

Note: Packages up to one inch in thickness must be secured with one rubberband around the width.  Packages between two and five inches  in thickness must be secured with two rubberbands, the first around the width and the second around the length.  Packages should not exceed 5 inches in thickness.  If the package is too large,  just make two smaller packages.  Each individual piece cannot weigh more than 16 ounces.

Step 1.  5-Digit Package

When you have 10 or more pieces for the same 5-digit zipcode, these are "D" packages, meaning all pieces in that package have the exact same 5-digit zipcode.

Place a Red D Label in the lower left hand corner on the top piece of each package.

***A package of mail should consist of at least 10 or more pieces.  The package should not exceed the 5 inch thickness limit.

Step 2.  3-Digit Package

After all possible 5-digit packages have been prepared, sort through your remaining pieces and make them into packages consisting of 10 or more pieces with the first 3 digits of the zipcode being the same.   Note: The cities may be different.

Place a Green 3 Label on the lower left corner on the top piece of each package.  This step indicates that the first 3 digits of the zipcode are the same in each package.

Example 1:   (Same City)

Louisville, Ky 40202-3 pieces

Louisville, Ky 40208-5 pieces      ( 3 Digit Package )

Louisville, Ky 40219-4 pieces

Louisville, Ky 40223-7 pieces

Example 2:  (Different Cities)

Rockfield, Ky  42274-9 pieces

Hopkinsville, Ky 42240-4 pieces    ( 3 Digit Package )

Auburn, Ky, Ky 42206-5 pieces

Russellville, Ky 42276-8 pieces

Step 3.  State "A" Package (All for the Same State )

After preparing all 5-digit and 3-digit packages in the mailing, the remaining pieces addressed to the same state (10 or more pieces) must be packaged.  Place a Pink A Label on the lower left corner on the top piece of each package.  This label indicates that all pieces in the package are for the same state but have various zipcodes.

Example:

Lakeworth, Fl 33460-4 pieces

Lakeland, Fl 33801-3 pieces            (State Package)

St. Petersburg, Fl 33701-5 pieces

Orlando, Fl 32801- 9 pieces

Step 4.  Mixed States Package (Different States)

If you have several pieces for miscellaneous states remaining, each state with less than 10 pieces, package the different states together and place a Tan MS Label on the lower left corner of the top piece of the package.  The MS label indicates the package consists of mixed states.

Example:

Knoxville, TN 37922-4 pieces

Auburn, MA 01501-9 pieces          (Mixed States Package)

Troy, MI 48084-8 pieces

Step 5.  Bulk Mail Summary Sheet

The USPS requires written documentation containing the number of pieces of mail included in a non-automated standard mailing.  The Bulk Mail Summary Sheet can be found at our website (www.wku.edu/postal).