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Basic USPS Guidelines for Standardization of Addresses
The USPS has set up a set of rules and guidelines to help ensure the mail is delivered fast, to the correct address. If you follow these simple guidelines there is a greater chance of your mail reaching its destination on time.
Simple Standards:
- When possible, type the address
- Use ALLCAPS for all parts of the destination address
- Remove all puncuation
- Use USPS approved abbreivations when possible. Abbreviations exist for almost all suffix's. (example: Road = RD, Avenue = AVE, Circle= C, Etc.) List of Abbrev.
- The ZIP code should be at the end of the last line, with nothing under it. (inc. ATTN: type info) The only exceptions would be foriegn addresses.
- "ATTN: Elaine Thoms" should preferrably be the top line of an address, or it can be used directly after a company name.
- When using a PO Box and a street address, the ZIP code should be for the line closest to the bottom of the of the address. In the following address
KEITH E WILLIAMS
15431 REDHILL STE E
PO BOX 17891
IRVINE CA 92713
the ZIP code correctly matches the PO BOX, not the street address.
- Black and blue inks are preferred. A #2 or darker pencil is okay.
Fonts Styles and Sizes
- When possible, always type the address
- Serif or San Serif are okay.
- Shy away from Italic and Bold
- The best fonts for readability by technology or human resources are the old standbys; Helvetica, Universal, Courier, Times Roman.
- Do not use ornamental, calligraphic, script or cursive styles. They cannot be read by USPS or ABS Optical Readers, and are difficult for even Encoder Operators
- Do not use font sizes less than 10 points or 12 cpi
Standard Address Placement (go to Envelope Design for more detailed information)
- Left justify the address
- The address should not be placed closer than 5/8" to the bottom of the envelope. This leaves room for the barcode.
- If indicia (1st or Standard A Text Box) exists on the mail piece, the address must be oriented to match the same direction.
- Start the address just left of the horizontal center point of the envelope.
Some USPS Approved Standard Abbreviations
- Suffix (Complete List)
Street = ST, Road = RD, Avenue=AVE, Circle = CIR, Drive = DR, Court = CT, Boulevard = BLVD, Lane = LN, Parkway = PKWY, Highway = HWY, Route = RT
- Number
Apartment = APT, Department=DEPT, Suite =STE, Unit = UNIT, Building=BLDG, Floor=FL, Room = RM
- Directionals (Pre & Post)
North = N, South = S, East = E, West = W, Northeast = NE, Southwest = SW, (NW, SE) Etc.
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