Types of Postage for High-Volume First-Class Mailings: Your Guide

Bulk First-Class Mailings have different postage requirements than other types of mail.

The USPS’s First-Class Mail program helps important documents get where they need to be on-time and at scale. The ways in which these mailings are prepared and paid for reflect that.

But what are the types of postage available to those using this program to mail in bulk? And which is right for your organization?

Read on to learn more.

What is USPS First-Class Mail, and Why Is It Important When Analyzing Types of Postage?

What is First-Class Mail?

If your organization is sending time-sensitive, transactional, and compliance-driven communications, it should likely be using USPS First-Class mail. This is the category of mailings that this guide to types of postage will cover.

First-Class Mail is a way to send letters and flats that must reach their intended recipient quickly and reliably within a predictable delivery window. First-Class Mail is usually delivered faster than USPS Marketing Mail. It also includes forwarding and return services, subject to USPS rules.

What Kinds of Documents Are Mailed Using First-Class Mail?

According to USPS regulations, bills, statements of account, and any other documents containing personal information must be mailed using First-Class Mail. The USPS defines personal information as “any information specific to the addressee.”

Typical high-volume First-Class Mail use cases include financial statements, billing notices, healthcare communications, insurance documents, and government correspondence.

These mailings often contain personalized information and may be subject to compliance regulations, making delivery speed and handling especially important.

Why do First-Class Mailers Use Different Types of Postage Than Other Mailers?

Those mailing sensitive documents in bulk using First-Class Mail have different needs than those delivering packages, individual letters, or different types of high-volume mailings.

As such, the types of postage used by these groups is different than those other organizations use.

This guide was designed for organizations handling transactional documents or other materials with personal client information, sending these files using First-Class Mail. It will help you understand what your postage options are, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each one.

Types of Postage: An Overview

High-volume First-Class Mailers have several different choices when it comes to postage. The existence of these options gives mailers flexibility in how they pay for their mailpieces. Each postage category is designed to support efficient USPS processing.

The right option for you depends on many factors, such as mailing volume, preparation method, and whether your mailings are managed in-house or through a mail service provider.

What Are the Three Main Types of Postage for First-Class Mailers?

The three primary postage categories for high-volume letter mailings are:

• Metered postage
• Permit imprint postage, also called indicia postage
• Precanceled stamps

Each method has its strengths and drawbacks, and each of these types of postage will be explored more in-depth later in this guide.

For now, it’s helpful to know that permit imprint is generally the most efficient choice for large volumes, while metered postage and precanceled stamps are both good options for smaller mailings.

Types of Postage #1: What is Metered Mail Postage?

With metered mail, postage is printed directly onto a mailpiece using a USPS-approved postage meter or digital metering system.

The imprint shows the postage amount, date, and origin information.

When and Why Is Metered Postage Used?

There’s no need to manage physical stamps when using metered postage, making it easier to scale mailing operations as volume increases.

Metered postage can also simplify accounting, as postage meters are funded in advance.

These factors make this option a good choice for higher-volume operations.

When Might Metered Postage Be the Wrong Type of Postage?

Organizations that wish to use this type of postage must maintain USPS-approved equipment. They must lease meters from an authorized provider, or they must work with an outsource organization that does so.

Those wishing to use this type of postage must also ensure funds are available on the meter account before mailing.

If these steps are impossible, another postage category should be used instead.

Adding postage to an envelope via a meter is less time-consuming than adding stamps by hand. However, this is still an extra step in the production process, and thus can take up a great deal of valuable time. This is why large mailings may find permit imprint postage more operationally efficient.

Metered Postage: The Verdict

Organizations might wish to use metered postage for ongoing or time-sensitive mailings where speed, control, and accurate postage application are priorities.

However, those sending higher volumes of letters might find permit indicia a more efficient choice.

Types of Postage #2: What Is Permit Imprint Postage?

Permit imprint postage, also known as indicia postage, is one of the most widely used types of postage for high-volume First-Class Mail.

Instead of printing a specific dollar amount on each mailpiece, the mailer uses an indicia that references a USPS mailing permit. The indicia is printed directly onto the mailpiece as part of either the document or envelope design. Postage is paid through a USPS advance deposit account based on the postage statement submitted with the mailing.

When and Why Is Permit Imprint Used?

Permit imprint postage is often the right choice for large jobs, since using this type of postage can make mailing workflows more efficient.

Other types of workflows require postage amounts to be individually printed on each piece. Whether this is done by hand or by machine, this constitutes another step in the process. With permit imprint, postage is attached at the same time that the document or envelope is printed, with no extra steps required.

This allows mail production to run faster and with fewer setup changes. The time savings involved are a reason why many organizations choose this type of postage.

Organizations also don’t have to maintain an inventory of postage or focus on applying the right amount of postage for each mailpiece when using permit imprint.

When Might Permit Imprint Be the Wrong Type of Postage?

Obtaining the permit necessary to use the type of postage requires an upfront permit fee of $370 as of 2026. Partnering with a third-party provider that already holds a permit eliminates this fee. However, organizations handling mail in-house that do not wish to pay this fee should consider other types of postage.

Permit Imprint: The Verdict

Permit imprint is the most convenient of the types of postage for high-volume mailers.

It eliminates the need to individually print postage onto each envelope. Thus, organizations sending high volumes of letters often choose this option.

However, setting up a permit comes with upfront costs. Firms that do not view permit imprint as cost-efficient should choose a different category.

Types of Mail #3: What Are Precanceled Stamps?

Precanceled stamps are canceled in advance by the USPS, eliminating the need for individual postmarking during USPS processing.

Precanceled stamps are authorized only for use in high-volume mailings, like presorted First-Class Mail and Marketing mail.

Organizations attach stamps with a lower rate of postage to each envelope. Upon arrival at the USPS office, the difference in payment is due.

When and Why Are Precanceled Stamps Used?

This type of postage is most often associated with organizations that send repetitive, uniform mailings and prefer a physical postage format rather than metered or permit imprint postage. One of the reasons certain organizations might prefer stamps is a belief that stamped envelopes are more readily noticed by customers.

They can also be used by mailers that do not want to maintain postage meter equipment or manage permit accounts.

When Might Precanceled Stamps Be the Wrong Type of Postage?

Precanceled stamps are not as convenient as permit indicia. They have to be individually applied to envelopes, either manually or via a machine. This adds an additional step to the production process that can slow operations down or require the use of extra equipment.

In order to use this USPS mail type, organizations must consistently maintain sufficient supply of stamps. Regular replenishment of stamp inventory can be time-consuming and inconvenient for many organizations.

Precanceled Stamps: The Verdict

Precanceled stamps are best for campaigns with lower mail volumes, where individual stamps can be applied by hand in a way that is not overly time-consuming.

Which of the Types of Postage is Right for My Organization?

There are many different types of postage available for high-volume First-Class Mail, each with benefits and drawbacks. Here are the criteria you need to consider in order to make the right choice:

Internal vs Outsourced Mailing

Whether mail is produced in-house or through a print and mail provider significantly influences postage selection.

In-house operations must manage postage equipment, permits, account funding, and USPS documentation directly. Firms must apply for authorization before sending bulk mailings with the USPS.

Outsourced providers often use consolidated permits. This means that all organizations partnering with a third-party vendor are covered by the vendor’s authorization and do not have to apply for individual permits themselves.

Using indicia requires payment of a permit application fee, unlike the other types. Partnering with an outsource provider thus makes taking advantage of this type of postage easier.

Moreover, the use of metered mail requires the lease of a USPS-approved meter. Working with an outsource provider that already has this technology makes using this postage category more convenient.

Costs

Organizations that wish to use metered mail must lease the necessary equipment from an authorized provider. Those wishing to use permit imprint must pay a $370 permit application fee (as of 2026), or partner with an organization whose permit they can use.

Efficiency

Efficiency is a top priority for higher-volume mail operations. When thousands of customer documents need to be delivered in a short time period, that deadline should be met as seamlessly as possible.

Of the three types of postage, permit imprint is usually the most efficient.

With the other two methods, adding postage is an additional step in the production process, whether done by hand or automatically by machine.

With permit imprint, however, postage is printed onto an envelope or document at the same time as other information is. Adding postage is not a separate step in these workflows. This cuts down on production time.

The larger a workflow is, the more time is saved by permit imprint. This is why larger organizations often choose this type of postage.

Furthermore, maintaining a steady supply of postage is a hassle for organizations using precanceled stamps. These organizations need to regularly go to the post office to purchase stamps, a step not present in the workflows of the other two types of postage.

Which of the Types of Postage Should I Use? A Comparison

Here’s a guide to when each of the types of postage may be right for your organization:

• Metered Postage can be used for medium or higher volume mail operations, although it is not as streamlined a process as permit imprint.
• Permit Imprint Postage supports large and efficient mail workflows.
• Precanceled Stamps are best for lower volumes of mail or for organizations that want to add a personal touch to their mailings.

D4 Solutions: Your Outsource Print and Mail Experts

If you’re looking for an outsource print and mail partner that can streamline operations for your organization, D4 Solutions is the right fit for you.

D4’s print and mail experts can answer any questions you have and help you make your workflows more efficient, including by identifying which of the types of postage is best for your project’s specific needs.

At D4, we maintain open communication with your team. Each organization is assigned a project manager that asks the right questions and ensures your exact specifications are met. We also complete thorough pre-print test runs and implement checks throughout the workflow, completed by our dedicated quality control team. These steps contribute to our 99.99% operational accuracy rate in terms of document quality and on-time delivery.

We prioritize document security throughout our workflows, and are proud of our status as a HIPAA and SOC 2 Type II audited firm.

At D4, we get your documents where they need to be, securely, accurately, and on-time. Reach out now to learn how we can optimize your workflows.

Q+A: Types of Postage for High-Volume Mailings

What are the main types of postage for First-Class Mail?

The three primary types of postage used for high-volume First-Class Mail are:

• Metered postage

• Permit imprint (indicia) postage

• Precanceled stamps

Which of the types of postage is most efficient for high-volume mailings?

For large-scale First-Class Mail campaigns, permit imprint is typically the most efficient postage category. It eliminates the need to apply postage individually to each mailpiece.

Metered postage can also support moderate to high volumes but involves an additional processing step. Precanceled stamps are generally better suited for smaller mailings.

How do I decide which of the types of postage is right for my organization?

Choosing between types of postage depends on several different factors that vary between organizations. These factors include:

• Mailing volume

• Workflow efficiency needs

• In-house vs outsourced production

• Upfront permit or equipment costs

• Operational complexity

High-volume, compliance-driven mailers often prioritize efficiency and scalability, making permit imprint the most common choice. Smaller operations may find metered mail or precanceled stamps more practical.

How can a third-party mail service provider help manage postage requirements?

Outsource vendors may hold consolidated USPS permits and maintain metering equipment.

Obtaining a permit adds an additional cost for organizations using permit imprint. Leasing a metering machine is inconvenient and adds another expense to the print and mail process.

Partnering with a vendor that has already completed these steps saves time and eliminates these costs from your workflow.

Who should I partner with for printing and mailing services?

If you’re looking for an outsource vendor who knows how to streamline your operations, D4 Solutions is the right choice for you.

Our print and mail experts can help you determine which of the types of postage is best for your project, and can advise you on other choices that can make your print and mail process more efficient.

We’re proud of our HIPAA and SOC 2 Type II audited print and mail workflows. We have a 99.99% accuracy rate, and are committed to getting your documents printed and delivered securely, accurately, and on time.

Reach out now to learn more about how we can help with your project.