How do I make envelopes that are safe for mailing?

Question

I just wanted to know if any envelope you make with any print can be mailed, or if there's guidelines, or regulations on materials, or something I should be aware of.

Answer 1

There are definitely some restrictions on size, thickness, etc. Check this page for more details:
http://www.usps.com/businessmail101/mailcharacteristics/letters.htm

As for "prints," I'm guessing you meant using paper with designs or print on it. If that's true, I think those are okay too, but the areas with the to and from addresses, as well as the postmark area, should be clear enough to allow those to be read clearly. You can just make sure those areas are relatively plain and clear, or you could put something clearer over those areas (like a blank label or plain paper ---glue on, etc.)

You might also want to do online searching for "mail art" since there are a number of people who like to do send artful pieces through the mail and they should know what kinds of things are okay and which aren't (or which are okay but may cost a bit extra postage).

Lots of materials seem to be okay too both for packages and for letters (though some of this may have changed recently). We polymer clayers mail postcards made solely of polymer clay, and people mail things like soda bottles, etc. I didn't find anything quickly about materials at the usps website, but you can call one of their "mail design analysts"
http://pe.usps.gov/mpdesign/mpdfr_mda_lookup.asp
or ask at your local post office (warning though, they don't always agree... if your post office accepts something, it will likely go through though).


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

There is a cool product called Create-A-Lope that gives you different templates to work with so you can have different sizes. The nice thing is you can use any type of paper with it. As far as the mail is concerned, there are some size limits in regards to the smallest that it can be - because it has to be read by a machine. Stop by your post office or send them an email at the USPS website. The last time I checked the site they had it listed.

Answer 3

Mail is unquestionably in no way lost anymore at present and the criminal effects for placing out somebody else's mail can unquestionably get especially severe, so this is somewhat not nicely worth it for mail human beings to open envelopes for the mere threat of looking a pair greenbacks... exams are nonetheless safer, yet once you may, make confident the envelope isn't too heavy (as few expenditures as a threat) and make confident there at the instant are not any money. positioned the money in between a folded piece of paper and make confident your envelope has those risk-free practices designs (so which you may't carry it as much as the easy and notice interior).

Answer 4

Most envelopes are OK providing that you have enough postage on them and that the address is easily legible. To make your own, open an envelope that is acceptable and use it as a template to make others.