Us postal law?

Hi! Holiday cards are so expensive these days... i want to get them out soon, so I'm thinking about making simple cards to send to my friends. Of course, if i make the cards, then i have to buy/make envelopes. I was curious about US postal laws.... is it legal to send mail that is a letter and an envelope at the same time? for example, a piece of 8.5x11" paper folded in thirds, addressed and stamped (and tacked down)??? Can I send abnormal shapes, such as a circle folded in half? what is allowed? what specifically is NOT allowed?Us postal law?
Yes, you may send the folded over piece. I would tri fold it like you said. I have seen some that were just folded over once and they were too thin to mail or required a surcharge. It must be at least .007" thick to mail, for pieces more than 4 1/4" x 6" it must be .009" or it will require a non machinable surcharge of $.17. (see non machinable criteria in link provided)



Abnormal shapes, no, unless they are part of a mailing that is called Customized Market Mail. For that kind of mailpiece you must have a permit to mail those and they must be part of a mailing of at least 200 identical pieces, a lot of other rules apply to the abnormal piece also but I will spare you the details.



All letter mail must be at least 3 1/2" x 5" and no more than 6 1/8" x 11 1/2" and no more than 1/4" thick and must be rectangular in shape. Square pieces require additional $.17 postage. Anything smaller than 3 1/2' X 5" is not mailable. Anything over 6 1/8" X 11 1/2" or 1/4" thick is considered a flat and goes at a higher rate of postage. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions e-mail me.



edit: in reference to the one above me a postcard is at least 3 1/2" x 5" and no larger than 4 1/4" x 6" and must be of a single card stock. Folded pieces regardless of size are not eligible for the postcard rate (unless one half is designed as a Business Reply piece)Us postal law?
You can send all of the above if they have proper postage.Us postal law?
Check the website at usps.gov for the dimensions issue. For a long time, there has been a thing called a "post card" that is all things in one. They cost less to mail, too.