The term "bulk mail" refers to quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage rates. "Bulk mail" means discounted First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Discounted rates are available for other classes of mail, too.
Bulk rates are discounted from "single-piece" rates. "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage rate; when you put a 41-cent stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece rate. Many mailers pay single-piece rates even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business.
In order to send a bulk mailing out from the Office Services department, there are a couple of things needed in order to prepare for it:
Office Services Procedures
Get a mailing permit (permission to mail) and pay an annual mailing fee.
Dominican University Permit: # 1825
Pay postage using one of several convenient methods: precanceled stamps, postage meter, or permit imprint.
Make smart choices about the size, shape, and weight of your mail piece.
Smaller size, lighter weight = cheaper price
Ensure that your addresses are accurate; this eliminates returned mail and wasted postage.
When returned mail is received, please update address database.
Presort the mail pieces (separate or sort your mail by ZIP Codes).
Mailing Houses can be used to prepare bulk mailing, however fees are charged.
In addition to paying postage, bulk mailers are required to obtain a mailing permit and pay an annual mailing fee ($175 a year for each class of mail).
To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces:
Minimum Quantities for a Bulk Business Mailing
500 pieces for First-Class Mail.
200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for Standard Mail.
50 pieces for Parcel Post.
300 pieces for Presorted or Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter.
300 pieces for Presorted Library Mail.
300 pieces for Presorted Media Mail (sometimes called "book rate").
Bulk Mail request forms must be filled out and given to Office Services to ensure both bulk mail and check requests are filled out correctly. Once check is received from the Business Office, an Office Services employee deposits the check into the Bulk Mail Account at the Oak Park Post Office.