Well, for square letters that is.

On May 12, the same day as postage going up for standard sized envelopes, the cost of a square First-Class letter or card up to 1 ounce in weight increases to 62¢.

Why? Well, square envelopes require special handling.

The Postal Service has become highly automated, using machines to help sort the mail. Square envelopes will not feed automatically through this equipment so have to be sorted by hand. They call these pieces non-machinable and attach a surcharge to offset the additional cost of sorting and processing these pieces of mail.

Along with square pieces, anything that has a button or clasp on it, or something stuffed inside that makes the piece uneven will require 62¢ in stamps as well because it cannot go through the automated equipment.

Square letters are fun to send and receive, even if they do require a bit more postage. They call attention to themselves by saying, “Look at me, I’m special. I’m not junk mail. I was sent by someone willing to put some extra thought and cost into sending you something extra special.” So, think square, think 62¢, and do think to send something special to a friend!

On May 12, the price of a stamp is going up a penny to 42¢ for a First-Class letter. I know no one likes price increases but you have to admit that the US post office does a pretty good job of getting bunches of mail from one point to another quite quickly and even more surprising, into the right mailbox. Given the volume, they do a far better job than any of the airlines in getting something from one point to another. And, if for some reason the address is incorrect, they’ll send it right back to you at no additional charge! I call that customer service.

I also feel the cost of a stamp is quite reasonable considering the areas served for that one price. For example, with just one stamp you can send a letter from Hawaii to Maine, over 5,000 miles one way! Given the rising cost of gas and the convenience of door to door service, this is an exceptional deal.

In late 2006 a new law allowed rates to be increased as long as the changes were within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months and a 45 day notice was given. The additional per ounce cost of 17¢ remains in effect. So, go ahead and stuff that envelope. Don’t wait for the Christmas card season, send something in June for a mid-year update. Stick in some pictures of the kids or the pets in swimsuits… maybe not the pets, and keep in touch the old fashioned, but more meaningful way, via mail.

And, I saved the best for last… run right out today and load up on Forever stamps. Those are the ones with the Liberty Bell on them that only cost 41¢ until May 12 but that can be used Forever. Yes, you heard correctly, you can use these stamps no matter how many times the price is increased in the future. I call that an investment, not to mention a pretty neat deal. They even come with self-adhesive so you don’t have to lick and stick. I call that a tasteful bargain.

Dear Ms. Cards Etiquette,
The folks at work threw me a going away party, and I’m wondering if I need to write thank yous to all of them separately or if I write one to the group.
Moving to Tennessee

Well Tennessee, congratulations on your move!

It depends on if people at the party gave you individual gifts. If so, then you’ll probably want to send thank yous to those people mentioning the gift they gave you.

You’ll also want to send one thank you to the group as a whole thanking them for giving you the going away party. You may also consider sending the business a cookie flower basket from a local bakery so everyone can enjoy a little snack.

Keep in mind, you don’t need to write a lot on your thank you cards, a line or two thanking the person for the gift and how you will use it is just fine. Many people get nervous about writing thank you cards because they think they have to go into a dissertation about how this gift will affect their lives. No so. Simple is perfectly fine.

We’re all looking for ways to save the earth and many people ask if there is a way is send cards and still be green. Absolutely. Here are some things you need to keep in mind when you’re putting together your card mailings.

1. Double check that address! Every time your card is returned it results in another trip with a gas powered motor vehicle. To save gas, make sure your address book is correct before you send your cards. (Now is a good time of the year to start doing that for your holiday mailings.)
2. Send more than one item in each envelope. If it is possible to double all mailings to the same address in the same envelope, do it. It is one less trip for the postal service to make.
3. Weigh your mailings. Make sure you’ve put enough postage on each mail piece before sending. This also prevents your mail from being returned.
4. Save paper! Write that address or print it directly on the envelope. Every time you use a sticker from a label maker is another piece of paper that is not needed. Also, have return address pre-printed on your envelopes for the same reason. (By the way, CardsDirect can pre-print your return address on all non-assortment pack envelopes.)
5. Use recycled paper for your cards. We have a great selection of cards made from 100 percent post consumer recycled paper. If you’re not sure which ones they are, you can call our friendly customer service team and have them help you out.

Dear Ms. Cards Etiquette,
I want to send photo cards printed on recycled paper but wonder if they will fade over time?
Ms. Springer

Good question and good for you for wanting to help save our planet by sending cards printed on recycled paper!

Recycled cards are certainly growing in popularity and Ms. Cards Etiquette wants you to know that recycled paper is not only good for the planet, but has a look and feel so close to non-recycled paper that you probably wouldn’t know the difference if the recycled symbol wasn’t printed on the back of the card!

For any printed greeting cards, including photo or digitally printed cards, fade resistance is attributed more to the inks involved in the printing process than to the paper that is used. All printed materials will fade over time, or more quickly if left in direct sunlight, but the chemicals in the inks used are meant to prevent fade and maintain color quality under normal circumstances. Photo cards are printed with much the same inks as those used for traditional printing so should not fade any faster than any other printed piece. The recycled paper will “hold” the ink just as well as non-recycled paper.

So, don’t worry about the quality of photo cards printed on recycled paper, Grandma and Grandpa Springer will be able to pull out the photo card of the grandkids and see their toothless smiling faces for years to come! And, not only that, but they’ll be pleased with your effort to go “green” to help this and future generations of little Springer’s!