Bound Printed Matter Bulk Mail Rates and Requirements

Bound Printed Matter bulk mail is for catalogs and other bound printed material. It is particularly economical for pieces that weigh more than the 16-ounce limit for Marketing Mail.






Bound Printed Matter pieces weighing less than one pound are charged a minimum one-pound rate. Because of that, Marketing Mail is often less expensive than Bound Printed Matter for pieces weighing less than one pound.
The basic content requirements for Bound Printed Matter are:
- It must be securely bound by staples, spiral binding, glue, stitching or similar permanent fastenings. Loose-leaf binders and other temporary fastenings don't comply.
- The pages must be at least 90% covered with printing. Handwriting or typewriting do not comply.
- It must not be personal correspondence.
- It can't be blank printed forms, like stationery.
Learn about other
bulk mail categories:
Marketing Mail
Presorted First Class
Periodical Class
Bulk Rate Parcels
bulk mail categories:
Marketing Mail
Presorted First Class
Periodical Class
Bulk Rate Parcels
How many pieces in each zip code do I need for Bound Printed Matter rates?
For Bound Printed Matter mailings, there are no minimums per mailing or per zip code, although mailings of 300 total pieces or more get better pricing. There are no monthly or yearly minimums.
What are the size and weight limits for Bound Printed Matter bulk mail?
The weight limit for a piece of mail sent at Bound Printed Matter rates is 240 ounces (15 pounds). To qualify for barcoding discounts, flat-sized pieces can weigh no more than 20 ounces.
Pieces may not measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined.
Pieces may not measure more than 108 inches in length and girth combined.
What are the postage rates for Bound Printed Matter bulk mail?

The postage rate for Bound Printed Matter depends on how many pieces you are mailing, the size and weight of the mail piece, and the distance it must travel. For mailings of 300 pieces or more, there are discounts for taking your mailing to a major sorting facility.
There's a pretty good chance that you'll pay several different postage rates on different pieces in the same mailing, depending on where the pieces are going.
There are no extra discounts for nonprofits when using Bound Printed Matter rates.
You can use our Bound Printed Matter postage rate calculator to find the rates available for your mailing.
Rates updated for USPS changes effective January 24, 2021.
Make the following selections to find the rates available for your Bound Printed Matter mailing:
How many pieces are in your mailing:
up to 299 300 or more
Mail Size:
flat - up to 12" x 15" x ¾", whether in an envelope or not.
parcel - larger than flat in any direction, or not flexible.
(Bound Printed Matter smaller than flat-sized is charged as flats.)
Enter Weight in Ounces:
Weight must be 20 ounces or less for barcoded pieces,
or 240 ounces (15 pounds) or less for nonbarcoded pieces.
Mailed At: What are these?
If you already have the list you want to mail to, we recommend you download a free trial copy of our Postage $aver bulk mail preparation software and run your list through it. It will figure out the exact postage you'd pay for mailing that specific list, and let you try various options.
For flat-sized mailings, download our Postage $aver Pro software. For parcels, download our Postage $aver for Parcels software.
There's a pretty good chance that you'll pay several different postage rates on different pieces in the same mailing, depending on where the pieces are going.
There are no extra discounts for nonprofits when using Bound Printed Matter rates.
You can use our Bound Printed Matter postage rate calculator to find the rates available for your mailing.
Bound Printed Matter Bulk Mail Postage Rate Calculator
Rates updated for USPS changes effective January 24, 2021.
How many pieces are in your mailing:
up to 299 300 or more
Mail Size:
flat - up to 12" x 15" x ¾", whether in an envelope or not.
parcel - larger than flat in any direction, or not flexible.
(Bound Printed Matter smaller than flat-sized is charged as flats.)
Enter Weight in Ounces:
Weight must be 20 ounces or less for barcoded pieces,
or 240 ounces (15 pounds) or less for nonbarcoded pieces.
Mailed At: What are these?
If you already have the list you want to mail to, we recommend you download a free trial copy of our Postage $aver bulk mail preparation software and run your list through it. It will figure out the exact postage you'd pay for mailing that specific list, and let you try various options.
For flat-sized mailings, download our Postage $aver Pro software. For parcels, download our Postage $aver for Parcels software.
How much do Bound Printed Matter permits cost, and how do I get one?
Good to know:

To use Bound Printed Matter rates, you must buy a "permit imprint authorization",
which allows you to print an "indicia" box like this on your mail instead of postage. Stamps or meter strips cannot be used on Bound Printed Matter.
Here's what goes in an indicia box.

Here's what goes in an indicia box.