On January 1, mailers will have access to two types of standard number 10 envelopes: The current one, and one with a window that has moved up.
In addition, the association will seek user input about the change before making one or the other permanent.
“EMA was asked by mailers to consider making a change to the number 10 envelope by moving the lower edge of the window position up from 5/8 of an inch from the bottom of the envelope to the bottom of the window cut in order to relieve problems with mail acceptance automation,” said Maynard Benjamin, president/CEO of Alexandria, VA-Based Envelope Manufacturers Association.
Mr. Benjamin made the announcement to clarify a statement made by John Schlich, senior vice president, process improvement, at National Envelope, Smyrna, GA, and postal affairs committee chairman for the EMA, at the quarterly Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee Aug. 3.
“EMA established a special task force of envelope manufacturers to consider this change and is recommending to not change the envelope window size, but just move the of window position up slightly to 5/8 of an inch and is seeking mailer input on this proposed change,” Mr. Maynard said.
At the meeting, Mr. Schlich said the position of the window on a number 10 envelope would change, effective January 1. His statement appeared on DM News.com
Mr. Benjamin said the EMA is currently asking envelope manufacturers to continue to produce the standard number 10 envelope and to voluntarily consider manufacturing the revised number 10 window envelop to accommodate the U.S. Postal Service.
The standard number 10 envelope is the most popular type of envelope used for business mailings and direct mail, measuring 4 and 1/8 inches by 9 and 1/2 inches. The standard position of the window on a number 10 envelope is 7/8 of an inch from the left side and 1/2 of an inch from the bottom of the envelope. If the change is proposed, the window position would still be 7/8 of an inch to left, but move to 5/8 of an inch from the bottom of the envelope.
At MTAC, Mr. Schilch said the current window position hasn’t created much of a problem with automation, but when mailers use some of the older equipment that still has a 1/16 of an inch variance in the placement of the window, intermittent automation problems ensue. The problems involve printing addresses and barcodes on envelopes without getting in the way of the window during the automated process.
Mr. Schilch said the change would most likely help smaller mailers, who generally buy envelopes off the shelf and use older equipment. They often have problems with getting their address on the envelopes correctly and have to spend time and money to get the data to fit in the proper place around the window.
In general, mailers at MTAC welcomed the change.
