Types of mailings

Bulk mailing
First class mail
International mail

Business Reply Mail

“Business reply mail” provides a recipient with a convenient, prepaid method for replying to a mailing. Providing a prepaid reply envelope or postcard may increase the chances of receiving a reply. A permit and account must be held by a department or organization in order to use this format.

  • Various postal fees have been paid in order for the University to gain maximum discounts if the business reply envelope or postcard format is correctly prepared.
  • BRM allows a department to provide a preprinted First-Class mail envelope to recipients to encourage a response.
  • The department, not the recipient, pays the return postage.
  • The department is only charged for postage by USPS for pieces that the recipients actually mail back to the department.

The University of Maine holds a BRM permit with USPS. All fees are assessed to the permit holder for actual mail received, and internally charged to the initiating department.

Business reply mail can significantly increase response rates for mailing campaigns including:

  • Researchers seeking survey response data
  • Publishers soliciting subscriptions
  • Businesses collecting receipts or documents from employees
  • Direct marketing
  • BRM Pieces can include: Cards, Envelopes, Self-mailers, Flats, Labels

Contact us for help with creating and printing your business reply mail.

Bulk Mail

Reach a large audience at affordable prices with bulk mail. Also called standard mail, this describes a service that has no promised delivery standards but is usually delivered in a week or two within the continental U.S. The University has Permit No. 8 with the Orono Post Office to prepare bulk mailings. This provides the University with the ability to process large mailings at a cost of about 1/3 that of 1st class mailing. University departments as well as qualifying student or faculty organizations can use the permit. You cannot use the bulk permit for international mailings.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Mailing must consist of 200 pieces for Standard nonprofit.
  • First class bulk mailings must have at least 500 pieces for a discounted price.
  • Pieces must not exceed 16 ounces each.
  • Mailing pieces must be printed or duplicated.
  • Pieces must be of identical size, weight and content.
  • Must be SEALED — cannot use staples to seal.
  • Always use a University of Maine return address.
  • Bulk mail must have indicia (permit number included) or postage in the upper right hand corner of the envelope. One example of an indicia:

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Orono ME
Permit No. 8

Correct Return Address for Non-Profit Mail

University of Maine
Department Name
Secondary Name (optional)
Building
Orono ME 04469-_____ (ZIP+4 code)

Limitations

  • Must be of a non-personal nature.
  • USPS does not guarantee delivery within a specific time period.
  • Permit mail cannot be dropped in a blue collection box.