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How do I get a USPS barcode?

Author

Emily Cortez

Published Mar 15, 2026

How do I get a USPS barcode?

  1. Steps to creating your Intelligent Mail® Barcode.
  2. STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THE ENCODER AND FONT.
  3. STEP 2: APPLY FOR A MAILER IDENTIFIER.
  4. STEP 3: POPULATE THE BARCODE FIELDS.
  5. Nine-Digit Mailer Identifier.
  6. Origin IMb Tracing® Intelligent Mail Barcode Format.
  7. STEP 4: PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER.

Also asked, what barcode does USPS use?

EAN-128 barcode

Secondly, what is the barcode on a letter? A barcode is a series of long and short bars that represent ZIP Codes, ZIP+4 codes, and delivery addresses. The Postal Service uses automated equipment that reads the barcode to process and sort mail. At the Postal Service, the barcode tells us where to deliver your mail.

Considering this, where is the barcode on mail?

On letters, the IMb is located in the address block or the barcode clear zone in the lower right of the envelope. On flats, it must be on the address side (or front side) of the mailpiece and at least 1/3-inch from any edge of the piece. The IMb is typically printed by the mailer or the presort house.

Can you use the big stamp with the barcode?

That's not a stamp. That with the Barcode is just the "cover" of the book that the post office scans at the register to sell them to you.

What is a delivery point barcode?

The delivery point barcode, or DPBC, is a line of short and tall bars that helps identify a mailing's exact destination. This line is often printed at the bottom of mail and significantly reduces the time it takes carriers to sort letter mail before delivery.

What is an IMpb shipping label?

What is it? The Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IM®pb) is the next generation tracking barcode for parcels and Extra Services through the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®). The IMpb tracking barcode format includes shipping information needed to track packages from pick-up to final delivery.

How many types of barcodes are there?

Explaining the Different Barcode types
  • Code 39. This is one of the oldest barcodes around and is a common symbology found in electronics, healthcare, and government.
  • Code 128.
  • Interleaved 2 of 5.
  • Universal Product Codes (UPC)
  • International Article Number (EAN)
  • PDF417.
  • Data Matrix.
  • Quick Response (QR) Codes.

Why do some stamps have barcodes?

They contain unique 2D barcodes, which the USPS calls “information-based indicia” (IBI), that validate the postage. As annoying as it may be to have a big advertisement at the top of the label paper, the pink strip is actually part of what allows the USPS to validate this kind of postage at high speed, automatically.

What is IMpb?

The Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb) is the U.S. Postal Service's® bridge between physical packages and digital information, helping to deliver world-class service and tracking.

What font does USPS use?

The USPS prefers that a sans-serif font be used when addressing mail pieces. The font size needs to be eight-point or higher, and all capital letters is preferred. The difference between serif fonts and sans-serif fonts is that sans-serif fonts do not contain the little feet on the bottom on the letters.

What do postal markings mean?

A postal marking is any kind of annotation applied to a letter by a postal service. The most common types are postmarks and cancellations; almost every letter will have those. Service marks provide information to the sender, recipient, or another post office.

What does mixed ADC mean?

Mixed ADC: the pieces are for delivery in the service area of more than one ADC. Residual pieces/bundles/sacks: contain material remaining after completion of a presort sequence.

Is Postnet barcode still used?

Effective January 27, 2013, the Postal Service™ will revise the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM ®) throughout various sections to discontinue price eligibility based on the use of POSTNETbarcodes on all types of mail.

How do I create a barcode for an address?

Create a mailing barcode for addresses in the United States
  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Click the Mailings tab in the toolbar.
  3. Click the Envelopes option.
  4. Type the delivery address, if necessary, for the envelope or label.
  5. Click the Options button.
  6. Click the Font button in the delivery address or return address section.

How can I tell where a letter was mailed from?

Look at the post mark, on the envelope. There should be a circle with a zip code That zipcode is where your mail came from.

Can a mailed letter be traced?

The United States Postal Service offers several options for tracking letters or packages. Once you have a tracking number, you can access this information on the USPS website or have USPS send it to you. You can track a long-awaited piece of mail on the USPS website.

How do I know if postage is paid on an envelope?

The envelope will either have been bought at a cost that includes postage or it will be run through a machine in the office that puts a printed stamp/marker on it with the appropriate cost. If it says postage paid it's been bought with postage already paid for.

How do I know if an envelope needs a stamp?

A regular letter is usually a standard stamp amount, or one "Forever" stamp. If it's thicker, heavier, maybe even different envelope materials, the postage could be more than standard. I look up info on or if I'm nearby a post office and have the time, one can have it weighed and checked there.

Where is the best place to buy stamps?

Detailed Guide to Where You Can Buy Stamps
  1. 1 – Amazon – Order Stamps Online.
  2. 2 – United States Postal Service (USPS)
  3. 3 – Banks.
  4. 4 – Walmart Super Center Stores.
  5. 5 – Pharmacies – CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid.
  6. 6 – A Gas Station.
  7. 7 – Bookstores and Office Supply Stores.
  8. 8 – UPS Stores.

Does Business Reply Mail need a stamp?

BRM makes it as painless as possible for your prospects to respond to your direct mail by offering a postage paid envelope or postcard. All your prospects have to do is drop it in the mail – no stamp required.

What does auto mean on mail?

Address Service Requested

What are the orange lines on envelopes?

One is the orange Identification Code placed on the back of letters for Remote ZIP Encoding. Similar to a license tag, the unique code identifies individual mail pieces and is applied to letter mail when high-speed sorters cannot correctly read address image information necessary to apply barcodes.

How much is a USPS stamp?

USPS Postage Rates
USPS Mail Class (effective Sunday, January 26, 2020)Postage Rates
First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) - Retail/Post Office Rate*$0.55
First Class Mail Letter (1 oz.) - Metered Mail/Stamps.com Rate$0.50
First Class Mail Letter - each additional ounce$0.15
Postcard$0.35

What does the date stamp on an envelope mean?

Understanding USPS Postage & Postmarks

The postmark date is used to determine if the payment was mailed on or before the tax deadline.