2019 Postage Rate Calculators

Posted on by Tom Russo

Plan your 2019 direct mail schedule with help from our postage calculators

The popular NFocus postage rate calculators have been updated and are ready to download.  The new calculators will help guide you through all of the 2019 rate changes for Marketing Mail, Non Profit Marketing Mail, and Periodicals.

The 2019 calculators have been updated with a new look and additional information.  Users will notice the new Part Code column which directly corresponds to the price category codes found on your postage statement (form 3602 for Marketing Mail).  A new Promotions Calendar has also been added (tab 2) which gives users a quick reference guide to the 2019 USPS promotions.

Download a copy of the NFocus Postage Rate Calculators below:

2019 Postage Rate Calculators 

2019 USPS Marketing Mail Rate Calculator

2019 USPS Periodical Mail Rate Calculator

2019 USPS Non Profit Marketing Mail Rate Calculator

Need hep figuring this out?  Contact your NFocus rep today.  We provide a complete suite of resources to help direct mailers including our NControl report for periodical publishers, 24-7 access to the top direct mail list data with Listcounts, and our powerful Smart Saturation solution for mailers looking for a more targeted list.

Postal Regulatory Commission Approves 2019 Rates for Market Dominant and Competitive Products

Posted on by Tom Russo

The new rates will take effect January 27, 2019.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) announced today that they approved the United States Postal Service’s planned postage rate adjustments for both Market Dominant and Competitive products.

First-Call Mail rates for 2019:

Product Old Rate New Rate
Forever Stamp $0.50 $0.55
Metered Letter $0.47 $0.50
Additional Ounce $0.21 $0.15

Select Competitive product rates for 2019:

Product Old Rate New Rate
Retail Small Flat Rate Box $7.20 $7.90
Retail Medium Flat Rate Box $13.65 $14.35
Retail Large Flat Rate Box $18.90 $9.95
Retail Regular Flat Rate Envelope $6.70 $7.35

USPS 2019 Promotions and Incentives

Posted on by Tom Russo

An overview of the proposed 2019 USPS promotions and Incentives for mailers.

Each year the United States Postal Service provides several promotions and incentives for mailers to utilize new technology with their direct mail printing and messaging.  Promotions focus on specific technologies and are only available for a limited amount of time, usually 3-6 months.  The incentive programs are available for both First-Class and Marketing Mail classes.

2019 proposed USPS Promotion and Incentive program

  • Tactile, Sensory & Interactive Promotion
    • February 1, 2019 – July 31, 2019
    • Encourages marketers to incorporate innovative techniques on their mailpieces including specialty paper, specialty ink, and interactive elements.
    • Available for Marketing Mail letters and flats, nonprofit Marketing mail letters and flats
    • Incentive: 2% discount of eligible postage
  • Emerging and Advanced Technology Promotion
    • March 1, 2019 – August 31, 2019
    • Encourages direct mailers to incorporate advanced technology in their mail campaigns, including augmented reality, virtual reality and mixed reality.
    • Available for First-Class presort & auto letters, cards and flats, Marketing Mail letters and flats, nonprofit Marketing Mail letters and flats
    • Incentive: 2% discount on eligible postage
  • Earned Value Promotion
    • April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019
    • Encourages the use of Business Reply Mail and Courtesy Reply Mail to boost First-Class Mail volumes.
    • Available for Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail and Share Mail cards and letters
    • Incentive: $.03 credit
  • Personalized Color Transpromo Promotion
    • July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
    • Encourages the mailer of bills and statements to use color messaging.
    • Available for First-Class Mail commercial letters with IMb Full-Service
    • Incentive: discount of 2% of eligible postage
  • Mobile Shopping Promotion
    • August 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019
    • Encourages the use of technologies to connect direct mail to online shopping, such as QR codes.
    • Available for Marketing Mail letters and flats and nonprofit Marketing Mail letters and flats
    • Incentive: 2% discount on postage for eligible pieces
  • Informed Delivery Promotion
    • September 1, 2019 – November 30, 2019
    • Encourages mailers to use create Informed Delivery campaigns in conjunction with their direct mail campaign.
    •  Available for First-Class Mail presort & auto letters, cards and flats, Marketing Mail letters and flats, and nonprofit Marketing Mail letters and flats
    • Incentive: Discount of 2% on eligible postage

USPS Proposed 2019 Postage Rates

Posted on by Tom Russo

NFocus is here to help you plan for the 2019 postage rate increases.

October might be the most important month for mailers as the proposed postage rate increases are announced.  The overall average proposed increase for Marketing Mail is 2.479% while Periodicals will see a 2.52% increase.

How are rates set?

The United States Postal Service filed their intended rate changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission the 2nd week of October.  The PRC has up to 34 days to review the filing.  The new rates are set to go into effect Sunday January 27, 2019.

Postage rates are adjusted annually and are based on the Consumer Price Index.  This method of rate adjustment was set under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act which was signed into law in 2006 by President George W. Bush.

What can you do now?

Now is the time to plan and we are here to help.  Our postal experts will examine your mailing and provide you with details on how the new rates may effect your mailing.  Even though Marketing Mail is facing a proposed 2.479% overall increase, the percentage increase varies based on multiple factors including drop location and carrier route volumes.  We can help you navigate all the details to uncover your individual impact.

What options do you have?

NFocus offers multiple solutions for mailers to help them manage their postage.  The NFocus Smart Saturation solution allows marketers to use a highly targeted direct mail list while maintaining specific postage requirements.  Mailers who need to maintain full walk sequence saturation on their lists will find ResQue’s powerful route level optimization tools extremely useful.

Contact NFocus today for more information on how the new rates could impact your mailing and help you plan your 2019 mailing strategy.