What is a Mailing Indicia?

The Comprehensive Guide to Indicia in Bulk Mailing

Mailing Indicia for Bulk Mail

Authored by Kraig Downham
Bulk mailing can be a cost-effective way to reach your audience, but understanding the tools available—like indicia—can make all the difference in maximizing your savings. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of indicia, explaining what they are, how they work, and why they’re essential for businesses looking to reduce postage costs.
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What is a Mailing Indicia?

What is a Mailing Indicia?

Indicia Meaning:

Indicia (pronounced in-DEE-sha) are pre-printed postal markings used instead of stamps for bulk mailings. They indicate that postage has been paid and must include details like your permit number and mail class (e.g., First-Class Mail® at $0.73 per piece as of April 2025).

Using indicia can save businesses up to 30% compared to traditional stamps, making them ideal for large mailings.

For example, sending 1,000 pieces with stamps costs over $600 at $0.66 each. With indicia, costs drop by nearly half. At Printing Partners in Indianapolis, IN 46202, we help businesses maximize these savings by designing compliant indicia and managing every step of your bulk mailing process

To get your company or organization started with bulk mailing, this indicia USPS guide is a valuable resource.

USPS Mailing Indica Examples for Nonprofit, First Class, Presort First Class and Presort Standard

Benefits of Using a Mailing Indicia:

Cost-Effective: Saves money on postage for bulk mail.
Using a mailing indicia significantly reduces postage costs compared to traditional stamps, especially for bulk mailings. For example, sending 1,000 mail pieces with standard stamps could cost over $600, while indicia-based postage rates can lower that expense to nearly half. These savings make indicia an ideal choice for businesses looking to manage budgets while maintaining effective communication.
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With an indicia, there’s no need to affix individual stamps to each envelope, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Instead, indicias are pre-printed directly onto mail pieces during production, allowing you to streamline the entire mailing process. This time efficiency is particularly valuable for large campaigns, where thousands of pieces need to be prepared and sent quickly.
Cost-Effective: Saves money on postage for bulk mail.
Using a mailing indicia through Printing Partners ensures your bulk mail campaigns are handled with efficiency and precision. Our high-capacity equipment and skilled team can process millions of mail pieces each month, eliminating the bottlenecks that can occur with manual preparation. By pre-printing indicias directly onto your mail, we streamline every step, from production to delivery, making it the perfect solution for large-scale campaigns.

Should You Use a Mail House?

Partnering with a professional mail house like Printing Partners simplifies bulk mailing and ensures your campaigns run smoothly. Here’s why:

Accurate Postage Calculation:

Our team calculates postage costs precisely, helping you maximize savings while meeting USPS requirements.

Compliance with USPS Rules:

We stay up-to-date on all USPS regulations, ensuring your mailings are formatted correctly and processed without delays.

Reliable
Delivery:

From sorting and bundling to coordinating with the post office, we ensure your mail reaches its destination on time.

Simplify Bulk Mailing with Our Permit

If you don’t have your own local postal customer indicia, you can use Printing Partners' permit to send your mail. If you already have a permit, we’ll ensure your funds are applied properly to keep your mailing process seamless.

Design Guidelines for Indicia

USPS has specific requirements for indicia design to ensure they’re readable and compliant:

  • Must be placed in the upper right corner of the address area, at least 1/4 inch from the top and right of the mail panel area.
  • Minimum size: 1/2 inch high by 1/2 inch wide to ensure visibility for postal processing.
  • Text within the indicia should be at least a 7pt font. It is often recommended to be slightly larger for better readability.
  • Must include the following elements:
    • Class of mail (e.g., "Presort First Class" for presorted business mail, "Presort Standard" for marketing mail, "Nonprofit Org." for eligible nonprofits, or "First Class" for non-presorted mail, to determine the correct postage rate).
    • "U.S. Postage Paid" to indicate postage is covered.
    • Your permit number, unique to your mailing permit.
    • The city and state of permit issuance (e.g., "Indianapolis, IN").

Our design team at Printing Partners ensures all indicia meet these standards.

Design Guidelines for Indicia

Download Free Mailing Indicia Template

We have got you started with a helpful mailing template. This file will contain indicias for Nonproit Indicia, First Class Indicia, Presort First Class Indicia, and Presort Standard Indicia. This file also contains a mailing safe area to keep open for automated mailing rates.
Mailing Indicia Adobe InDesign Template File
Mail Indicia Template Indesign Free Download
Mailing Indicia Adobe Illustrator Template File
Mail Indicia Template Illustrator .AI Free Download
Mailing Indicia Adobe PDF Template File
Mail Indicia Template PDF Free Download

Exploring Other Postage Options:

Understanding the Differences Between Stamps, Metered Mail, and Indicia
Example of Stamp on an envelope

Stamps

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • No minimum quantity
  • No need for an endorsement line or Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

Cons:

  • Time-consuming for bulk mail
  • Costlier than other options
Example of Precanceled Stamp on an envelope

Precanceled Stamps

Pros:

  • Lower cost than regular stamps
  • Good for smaller bulk mailings
  • Better postage rates with an endorsement line and Intelligent Mail Barcode

Cons:

  • Requires USPS approval
  • Not suitable for large volumes
Example of Metered Mail mark on an envelope

Metered Mail

Pros:

  • Convenient for varying mail volumes
  • Automated process
  • No need for an endorsement line or Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

Cons:

  • Initial cost of meter
  • Ongoing rental fees
Example of Indica on an envelope

Indicia

Pros:

  • Cost-effective for bulk mailing
  • Streamlines operations
  • No need for individual stamps

Cons:

  • Requires a minimum of 200 pieces
  • Best managed by a professional mail house like Printing Partners
  • Requires an endorsement line and Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

The Financial Benefits of Using a Prepaid Postage Mark

Potential Savings

If there was a business sending out 1,000 pieces of mail, using ordinary stamps would amount to $660. However, using presort standard rates with a Prepaid Postage Mark could bring the cost down to between $326 and $381. This could result in a possible savings of as much as $334 per mail-out.

Can You Implement a Bulk Mail Imprint Yourself?

While it may seem straightforward, it's advisable to use a professional mail house like Printing Partners. We work closely with the post office to send mail efficiently and follow all rules to save money.

Using Your Own Permit vs. Printing Partners' Permit

If you don't have your own mailing permit, you can mail under Printing Partners' permit number. However, you must provide the postage amount at the time of mailing. If you already have a permit number, the funds will need to be available in that account when we mail your piece.

Why Choose Printing Partners?

At Printing Partners in Indianapolis, IN 46202, we specialize in bulk mailing solutions:

  • Expert Guidance: From obtaining permits to designing indicia.
  • Cost Savings: Maximize postage discounts through our advanced deposit account.
  • End-to-End Service: We handle sorting, printing, and delivery.
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Printing Partners Mailing Department Equipment in action

Frequently Asked Questions

Kraig Downham, Marketing Director, at the Top of Mount Everest

About the Author

Kraig Downham is the Marketing Director at Printing Partners, a key player in offset commercial printing. Since 2005, he has contributed to marketing, design, and technology at Printing Partners.

As a color expert, Kraig ensures high-quality prints. His work ethic and dedication come from a 10-year journey with 4-H. Learn more about Kraig's work at Printing Partners.

  • Page updated December 2, 2024