USPS Plans to Allow Logos on Permit Indicia

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) may soon allow allow marketers to brand the permit that goes out on each piece of mail. The Picture Permit Imprint Indicia, filed last week with the Postal Regulary Commission, would allow commercial mailers to include logos, brand images or other marketing designs in the permit imprint indicia area (the postage block used in lieu of a stamp) of their mail.

"This prime real estate area will allow companies to brand, advertise and market their products and services on the actual mail piece," said Gary Reblin, vice president of domestic products for USPS. "Market research shows that customers believe picture permits will enhance the perception of their mail."

If approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the offering will be effective on June 24, 2012, for commercial mailers of presorted First-Class Mail letters and cards or Standard Mail letters. The premium for First-Class Mail letters and cards will be 1 cent per piece and for Standard Mail letters 2 cents per piece.

"Picture Permit will provide our customers with advertising opportunities without impacting required indicia information on the mail piece," said Reblin. "Allowing Picture Permits is just one of the many ways the Postal Service is working hard to make mail work better for our customers."