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University Mail Services

Home » Home » Services » Sending Mail » How to prepare your shipment » Addressing Mail

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Sending Mail

1. US Post Office official requirements for addressing

According to the US Postal Service, domestic addresses should be left justified, in all caps (if typed) and formatted like this:

 

NAME/TITLE
(ORGANIZATION)

STREET ADDRESS OR PO BOX
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE

 

Writing should be neat and easy to read, and if typed, the address should be in a simple font such as Arial, Georgia or Times New Roman. However, sometimes the post office doesn’t account for all contingencies, which is why I have included….

 

2. My personal experience

 

  1. Color–  Ink color should be only black or blue ink. Other colors (including pencil) are not recommended. Never use red ink in an address! It is the same color as the postage ink, and can often be overlooked by the machinery.

  2. Color of the envelope- Dark printing on light paper is easier to read than light printing on a dark background. Again, never use red colored envelopes, because the color of the postage mark is red and would be obscured.  

    envelope exampes 

  3. Font or handwriting– I agree with the post office’s suggestion to choose a simple font. Fancy scripts may be fun and look beautiful but they are not the most accurate means of business communication. Similarly, handwritten addresses should be easy to read to ensure quick delivery.

  4. Placement– This is incredibly important. The picture below is an example of the correct way to address an envelope. For examples of what NOT to do and explanations of why, please visit my blog page “How NOT to send mail: An obscure rant”.

4

This is an abridged version of my full blog that can be accessed here: A good address is a happy address!

  • Addressing Mail
  • How to prepare your shipment
  • Mail Piece Design
  • Saving Money on Mail
  • Sending Mail Fast

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345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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