505a Quick Service Guide

Additional Services

Courtesy Reply Mail

Related QSGs

505, Business Reply Mail (BRM)

604e, Meter Reply Mail (MRM)

Overview (505.2.0)

Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM) consists of preaddressed postcards or envelopes provided by the mailer to customers both to expedite their responses and to provide more accurate delivery. It differs from Business Reply Mail (BRM) in that no fees are required and the respondent is responsible for applying the correct postage before mailing back the card or envelope. CRM can come back faster because it is prepared with the correct address and barcode to take advantage of automated USPS processing. It is also good to use when you wish to direct replies (payments) to an address that is different from your usual mailing address. CRM templates are available on the Postal Explorer Web site at pe.usps.com by selecting “Mailpiece Design” in the left frame.

The USPS provides free of charge the facing identification mark (FIM) and the appropriate barcode to print on CRM pieces. The guidelines on page two will help optimize the use of this format.

Market research shows that providing barcoded envelopes makes good business sense:

Barcodes (202.5.0)

Delivery point POSTNET or Intelligent Mail barcodes may be placed either in the address block or in the lower right barcode clear zone.

All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and meter reply mail) provided as enclosures in automation First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail should meet the standards in 201.3.17.

 

Courtesy Reply Mail Layout Guidelines

Courtesy Reply Mail Layout Guidelines

 

Dimensions: Between 3-1/2 by 5 inches and 6-1/8 by 11-1/2 inches. To qualify for the card price, cards must be between 3–1/2 by 5 inches and 4-1/4 by 6 inches. Larger postcard sizes are mailable, but they are charged at the regular First-Class Mail letter price. Postcard thickness must be between 0.007 and 0.016 inch.

Ink/paper Colors and Type Styles: Not all colors of paper and/or ink and type styles are compatible with automated equipment. Contact your local Post Office for guidance.

All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and meter reply mail) provided as enclosures in automation First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail must meet the standards in 505.2.0.