#10 Business Envelope Guidelines

The USPS handles business mail more efficiently when it fits their design guidelines.

A) Return Address Area
The bottom edge of this area cannot be lower than 2.75” from the bottom envelope edge.

B) Address/Optical Character Reader (OCR) Area
Addressee information may appear anywhere within this defined area. Address placement determines which dimensions are considered the piece's length and height. Inappropriate placement can result in producing a piece prohibited by postal requirements.

C) Postage/Facing Identification Mark (FIM) Area
Applied or pre-printed postage must appear in this designated area.

D) Barcode Clear Zone
No printing is allowed in the lower right corner of the envelope in an area measuring 4.75” x .625”.

E) Non-Address Area
Logos and other advertising messages should appear above the lowest point of the address line.

F) Non-Print Areas
To ensure efficient mail processing, these areas of an envelope should be free of print.

Postal regulations change. To conform to current postage rates, size requirements and other valuable mailing information, visit the USPS site or go to your local post office.