A Hallmark in First-Class Mail Service
The U.S. Postal Service and Hallmark have introduced a new line of postage-paid greeting postcards. The postcards use Intelligent Mail barcode (iMb) technology, allowing customers to buy them with pre-paid postage-also referred to as “Alternative Postage Payment.”
The postcards come in packs of eight. There are two sets, each with eight unique designs. The sets are available in 2,000 Hallmark Crown Stores across the country.
Hallmark research suggests that making First-Class Mail easier to mail encourages consumers to send more greeting cards. With pre-paid postcards, customers won’t have to buy postage-or be concerned about how much postage is needed. The postcards contain an image that notes “No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.”
Barcode sorters performing iMb scans during normal mail processing will track the number of postcards entering the mailstream to calculate Hallmark’s total postage payment. When sorters read the iMb code, the prevailing rate for First-Class Mail postage will be applied.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com. To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 573-9638.
Mr. Zip’s Tip: Alternate Postage Payment is a breakthrough product that uses technology to create convenience for consumers and revenue for USPS and its business partners.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.