Postage Types
Mailing First Class vs. Standard (Bulk) Rate
When your mailing is time sensitive, First-Class Mail is your best choice. It is generally delivered in 3-5 days nationally and 1-3 days in California and the Southwest. Also, the USPS provides free forwarding/return of your mail if the mailing address is outdated.
U.S. Standard Rate, known sometimes as Bulk Mail, offers lower postage rates but has a longer delivery time. Typically you can expect delivery in 10-14 days nationally and 4-6 days in California and the Southwest U.S. The USPS will not forward or return mail if the mailing address is incorrect.
Standard Mailers Take Note! While the USPS sets delivery expectations, it does not guarantee delivery times for Standard Mail. This class of mail can take considerably longer at peak mailing periods, and we do not recommend using it for time-sensitive programs, such as events.
Other Benefits to Using First Class Mail
First Class offers a lower Postcard rate that applies to our Standard, Deluxe, and 6” x 9” sized cards, while our Sumo sized cards mail at the regular First-Class letter rate. Another benefit is that First-Class automatically includes forwarding or returning mail if the recipient has moved.
Standard Size Postcards at Standard Rate Prices
It is rarely cost-effective to do so and may actually cost more than mailing this size card at the First Class postcard rate. Standard rate only offers discounts from the higher letter rate and does not offer lower postage for Postcard size pieces.
Lower Postage Rates for Non Profit Organizations
Non Profit groups can apply to the U.S. Postal Service for approval to mail at special Non Profit postage rates. This class of mail is a lower priced Standard Mail rate with the same delivery timeframes. We will mail your cards at this lower postage rate only after you have sent us the proper documentation. We make this process easy by giving you an application form online to fill out. We then send this information to the USPS for approval.
Actual Postage Rates
For postcard mailings, postage is based upon the geographic concentration & quantity of actual postcards mailed. Example: 15,000 postcards mailed to a concentrated area in your own city will pay a much lower rate than 550 postcards mailed to a list of widely scattered rural areas.
One of the major factors in receiving discounted postage rates comes from how Modern Postcard prepares your postcards for mailing. For instance, we take your list and sort the postcards by zip code order. Then, we deliver the cards to a specific postal facility which reduces the amount of work necessary from the post office. The postal service’s costs are lowered, and so are your rates.
Different Classes of Mail also Help to Determine your Postage Rates
First Class
First-Class Mail is your best choice for time-sensitive mail. It is generally delivered in 3-5 days nationally and 1-3 days in California and the Southwest. Additionally, First Class delivery is consistent throughout the year while Standard rate can take considerably longer at peak mailing periods such as the holidays.
Standard (Bulk)
Standard Mail offers lower postage rates but with a longer delivery time. You can expect delivery in 10-14 days nationally and 4-6 days in California and the Southwest. Standard Mail only offers discounts from the higher letter rate and does not offer lower postage for Postcard size pieces.
Non Profit
Non Profit groups can apply to the U.S. Postal Service for approval to mail at special Non Profit postage rates. This class of mail is a lower priced Standard Mail rate with the same delivery timeframes.