Merlin Lettershop Checklist from Ballantine.com/merlin

 

Paper Stock Compatibility

Cougar Smooth & Vellum/ 24# White Wove/ 105# Betalith Reply Card C2S/ Sterling 7 pt      Ultra Matte/ Luna Matte/ 7 pt Sonoma Matte/ 70# Sabre Stain Matte Text/ 60# Husky      Offset

(All others must be Merlin approved before going to press & Readability report must be received.)


Imaging Method (impact printers will not meet Merlin specifications)

Laser Image

Scitex/ Ektajet

Videojet (Must get Merlin approval before using Videojet system & Readability report      must be received.)


Addressing/ Barcoding

Barcode location @ 3-15/16" from left (measured from left side of barcode) and 1/4" to      bottom.

F.I.M. location @ 2" from left (measured from right side of F.I.M.) and no greater than      1/16" from top.

3/16" clearance required around barcode. (Inserted components should remain 3/16" from      the edge of the window and pre-printed areas after a "tap" test is performed)

Merlin approved Poly plastic material specified for outer envelope address window, Cello &      Poly packages.

Background Scanning Compatibility. (Tint in address window must never exceed 10% after      printing. Dot gain should be taken into consideration before printing.)

Bar Code/ Zip Code Accuracy.


Mail Piece Specifications

Size and Weight meets Letter Rate requirements. (No greater than 6-1/8" x 11-1/2", No      thicker than 1/4")

Accurate Presort specification provided to the lettershop. (Size, Weight, Point of Entry,      Mail Quantity)

Mail piece meets Aspect Ratio requirements (Width/ Height > 1.3)

Droop Test. (Oversize mail pieces)



Note: A great resource to also check out is the MERLIN page on the USPS.gov website.