Resources & Tools

What steps do I take to begin using Intelligent Mail Barcodes?

1. Talk with Mail Service Providers and vendors (or decide to do in-house).
2. Apply for Mailer ID – work with your Mail piece Design Analyst (MDA).
3. Download software used to translate your intelligent data into the Intelligent Mail barcode.
4. Populate barcode fields.
5. Generate correct barcodes (31-digits applied to encoding software/fonts).

What tools (such as scanners, verifiers, templates, artwork) are available to help generate the Intelligent Mail barcode?

Converting to the Intelligent Mail Barcode is a straightforward process that will provide you with many benefits. The Postal Service has developed a number of tools to help make it as easy as possible for you to prepare your Intelligent Mail Barcodes appropriately. A number of tools and other resources are available on our ebsite at ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/ such as online encoder/decoder, encoder software for a range of platforms, and Intelligent Mail Barcode fonts.
Manual tools cn be used to verify the physcal characteristics of an Intelligent Mail Bardcode you have already created. Software tools help you prepare your barcodes in electronic format. Please access our Intelligent Mail Barcode Resource document currently available on our website at: ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/ to learn more about these tools. Remember, you can always reach out to your Mailpiece Design Analyst to get advice or direction about the suite of Intelligent Mail Barcodes. Your vendors and mail service providers will also likely have resources to help you take advantage of these new barcodes.

How do I decode the Intelligent Mail barcode?

Unlike today’s POSTNET barcode, the Intelligent Mail barcode cannot be decoded by looking at it. USPS provides an online decoder tool available on our website at ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/. A decoder will convert a sequence of bars in the Intelligent Mail barcode into meaningful tracking and delivery point ZIP Code information. Decoders are not owned by the Postal Service; please check with vendors for other decoders.

Does the Intelligent Mail barcode need to use a certain font?

Yes, special fonts are needed to print the Intelligent Mail barcode. See our Intelligent Mail website at ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/ for a listing of the fonts provided by the Postal Service. There are many commercial products that provide the fonts you will need to create the Intelligent Mail barcode. These new fonts will also meet the updated barcode specifications the Postal Service has defined. Commercial vendors that provide fonts for the Intelligent Mail barcode are listed in the Intelligent Mail Barcode Resource document.

Where can I find more information on the Intelligent Mail barcode?

For the latest information on the Intelligent Mail barcode, visit the Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS) website at: ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/.