We wanted to bring some recent postal increases to your attention as they will impact postage costs for the remainder of 2025. The new rates will go into effect on July 13, 2025.
- There will be a 10% increase to the current commingle postage rates, bringing the commingle rate for letters from $172/M to $189/M.
- Full 1st class postage will increase by almost 7% from $0.73 apiece to $0.78 apiece.
- 1st class presort will also increase about 8% from about $0.595 apiece to $0.645 apiece.
We are continually looking for ways to help clients offset the increases and we are urging every client to take advantage of multiple postal promotions currently running at the USPS. If your mailings qualify for the promotional discounts, you could realize as much as a five or six percent discount. Most of the promotions require minimal if any alterations and your S&W production team will work with you to qualify for all possible discounts. Below is a list of the promotions we can apply for after the increase goes into effect. All will need to be submitted to the PO prior to mailing for approval to qualify, but we will be working with our lettershops to manage this for our clients.
Tactile, sensory, and interactive promotion – 4% discount
From February 1, 2025 though July 31, 2025
This is one that will provide the largest discount but will be hardest to qualify for. One option is changing the OE stock to a grooved stock. The problem there is the grooved stock for smaller quantities is basically a wash cost-wise because the stock is more expensive. There are other ways to qualify though, and below are a few that we think are the best options:
- Clean release cards (membership cards)
- Spot glass (can we think of an example here)
- Embossed paper
- Embossed sticker (we could use them on the flapside to seal envelopes)
- Scratch off stickers
- Peel and reveal stickers
Details here: Tactile, Sensory Discount
Tactile, sensory DiscountIntegrated technology promotion – 3% discount
From the start date selected by client, this promotion will run for six consecutive months. We suggest starting July 13 , 2025 to begin taking advantage right away. The first option is the one we strongly recommend for all clients, particularly because most clients are already using QR codes which link to a donate now landing page or buying a membership. This discount falls under mobile shopping. The second option you could apply for would be using AI to generate copy or images used in the mail piece. This would require us to strategize with clients on what’s acceptable AI and then work with our creative partners to get proof of the AI in the package. Again, the QR code option is the simplest option for this discount.
Details here: Integrated Tech Discount
Continuous Contact Promotion – 3% discount (only on follow up mailings)
April 1, 2025- December 31, 2025
This discount will be more difficult to qualify for but we will work with each client to apply for all potential discounts regardless. Through this promotion, clients could receive a discount for sending follow-up mailings that repeatedly deliver qualifying USPS Marketing Mail® letters and flats to the same address. These repeated mailings must complement or build upon (but not duplicate) the initial mailing. Renewal programs would be a good application for this promotion, though you would not get a discount on the initial mailing. Details here: Continuous Contact Promotion
Informed delivery Promotion additional – 1% discount
This is an add-on discount, and it must run with one of the previously listed promotions. This is a discount we could ask our designers to start incorporating as part of the final art, including a standard ride along image directing the donor to a landing page. This promotion runs all year long.
Sustainability Promotion additional – 1% discount
This is also an add-on discount, and it can run with informed delivery as well but must run with one of the larger promotions first. For this discount, showing the mailing includes recycled materials, we would need to add either an SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) logo or FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo to qualifying pieces in the package and the mailing will be eligible. This discount runs all year long.
We are happy to answer any questions about the above promotions and are continually looking for ways to offset the increased rates that take effect in July. Thank you.
