Mail Automation & IMb Tracking
How USPS Intelligent Mail barcodes reduce your postage costs and enable real-time delivery tracking.
What Is Mail Automation?
Mail automation refers to the USPS processing system that reads, sorts, and routes mail using barcodes and machine-readable addresses. Automation-compatible mail moves through the postal network faster and at lower cost because it requires less manual handling. For businesses sending bulk mail, automation compatibility is the single biggest factor in reducing postage rates.
Cornerstone prepares every mailing to meet USPS automation standards — from address formatting and barcode placement to tray labeling and container preparation. This ensures your mail qualifies for the lowest available postage rates.
Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)
The Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) is the USPS standard for tracking and routing mail through the postal network. It replaced the older POSTNET barcode and encodes significantly more data — including a unique tracking ID for every mailpiece. The IMb is required for automation pricing on First-Class and Marketing Mail.
What the IMb Encodes
Automation vs. Non-Automation Rates
The postage savings from automation compatibility are significant. Automation-rate mail typically costs 2–5 cents less per piece than non-automation mail. On a mailing of 10,000 pieces, that's $200–$500 in savings — just from proper barcode formatting and address processing.
| Mail Type | Automation Rate* | Non-Automation Rate* | Savings per Piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Mail Letter (5-digit) | $0.247 | $0.305 | $0.058 |
| Marketing Mail Flat (5-digit) | $0.558 | $0.672 | $0.114 |
| First-Class Letter (5-digit) | $0.449 | $0.509 | $0.060 |
| First-Class Flat (5-digit) | $0.585 | $0.685 | $0.100 |
*Rates approximate as of 2025. Actual rates depend on presort level, weight, and mail volume. Contact us for a current quote.
Full-Service IMb Benefits
USPS offers additional discounts for "Full-Service" IMb mailings. Full-Service requires submitting electronic documentation (eDoc) to USPS before the mailing enters the mail stream, and using unique IMb barcodes on every piece. In return, you receive:
Real-Time Delivery Tracking
Every mailpiece is scanned as it moves through the USPS network. You can see when pieces hit processing facilities and when they're delivered — similar to package tracking but for letters and flats.
Address Correction Notifications
When a recipient has moved, USPS provides electronic Change of Address (COA) notifications — allowing you to update your mailing list without paying for physical return mail.
Postage Discounts
Full-Service mailings receive a per-piece discount beyond standard automation rates. USPS incentivizes Full-Service because eDoc submissions help them plan mail processing more efficiently.
Seamless Entry
Full-Service mailings can be inducted at USPS facilities with less manual verification, speeding up the entry process and reducing delays.
How Cornerstone Handles Automation
You don't need to worry about the technical details — we handle all automation requirements as part of our standard mailing services. Every mailing we produce includes CASS/DPV address validation, NCOA move-update processing, IMb barcode generation, Full-Service electronic documentation, presort optimization for maximum postal discounts, and tray/container labeling per USPS standards.
Want Delivery Tracking on Your Next Mailing?
Ask about IMb tracking and Full-Service mail when you request your next estimate. We'll show you exactly when your mail hits carrier routes.
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