ROYAL MAIL’S RETURN ADDRESS NEW SPECIFICATIONS

Did you know that Royal Mail have changed the rules and specifications on return addresses and how they must now be formatted and presented?

These rules were rolled out in October 2019 but as of 3rd January 2020, these rules are now mandatory for Mailmark and we are being advised this format should be used on all sortation’s – sorted and unsorted too.

There are quite a few new rules which must now be applied, but we have summarised the major ones below.

  • Return address must now be in block format only and justified left
  • The font has to be either Letter Gothic or Lucida Console font for the whole return address
  • The return address may be printed in English or Welsh (where provided in PAF). The inclusion of return addresses printed in both English and Welsh is not permitted.
  • The return address must be prefixed with the words “Return Address” and no alternatives or symbols added (colon, comma etc)
  • No counties or UK countries should be included within the return address block
  • The return address must be printed in ‘Title Case’, with the exception of the Postcode that must always be printed in ‘UPPER CASE’.
  • The Postcode must be printed on the last line of the address or may be printed on the same line as the post-town (with a gap of 1-2 spaces).

The location also has changed, depending on whether the return address is on the same side as the delivery address or not.

IF the delivery address is on the front (i.e. front window on the envelope), then the return address must be centered on the flap but left justified.

IF the delivery address is on the same side as the return address (i.e. reverse window), then the return address must be placed in the top left hand corner and must be no closer than 12mm to the delivery address and must also be no closer than 75mm to the right hand edge of the page / envelope.

For all the rules and regulations, please see pages 18 and 50 of the Royal Mail’s User Guide for “Mail mark Mailing Requirements for Letters and Large Letters”

At The Production Hub, we are committed to ensuring your mailings are as hassle free as possible so if you need any further advice, questions or need help with getting artwork amended, please do not hesitate to contact us.