Priority Mail: How the USPS is Spending Its Summer

The permit image must be business-themed (corporate logo, trademarked brand, photograph, or other graphic) and must be in color, although the required elements of the indicia—class of mail, permit number, US Postage Paid—must be in black. The design has to be approved in advance and the mailing must use a full service IMb.

Mailers interested in the Picture Permit must submit an application (PS Form 3615-A), available at www.usps.com/picturepermit and a PDF of the proposed indicia design.

After design approval, the mailer must submit 500 addressed mail pieces (live addresses), including sender return address, Picture Permit Imprint indicia, and full service IMb. The samples will be tested by USPS Engineering, Operations and Acceptance (this takes 30-45 days). After final approval, the mailer will be asked for a mailing schedule, including dates and volumes.

Mailers with additional questions not addressed on the Picture Permit website can contact the Picture Permit program office at picturepermit@usps.gov or at USPS, Attn: Picture Permit Program Office, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW Room 5621, Washington, DC 20260-5621.

Nancy DeDiemar is a former chairman of NAQP and Printer of the Year. She is the co-publisher of Printips (www.printips.com), a newsletter subscription service for printers. Contact her at Nancy91762@gmail.com.