Editing Mail (section)

=== Letters ===
[[File:Pillarboxes.jpg|thumb|[[Pillar boxes]] on the island of [[Madeira]], Portugal (1st class mail in blue and 2nd class in red)]]
Letter-sized mail constitutes the bulk of the contents sent through most postal services. These are usually documents printed on [[A4 paper size|A4]] (210×297&nbsp;mm), [[Letter (paper size)|Letter-sized]] (8.5×11&nbsp;inches), or smaller paper and placed in envelopes.

Handwritten correspondence, while once a major means of communications between distant people, is now used less frequently<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://hbr.org/2013/04/handwritten-notes-are-a-rare-c|title=Handwritten Notes Are a Rare Commodity. They're Also More Important Than Ever.|last=Coleman|first=John|date=2013-04-05|work=Harvard Business Review|access-date=2019-05-29|issn=0017-8012|archive-date=2019-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529183942/https://hbr.org/2013/04/handwritten-notes-are-a-rare-c|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Is that true *worldwide*? --> due to the advent of more immediate forms of communication, such as the telephone or email. Traditional letters, however, are often considered to hark back to a "simpler time" and are still used when someone wishes to be deliberate and thoughtful about their communication. An example would be a letter of sympathy to a bereaved person.

Bills and invoices are often sent through the mail, like regular billing correspondence from [[Public utility|utility]] companies and other service providers. These letters often contain a self-addressed envelope that allows the receiver to remit payment back to the company easily. While still very common, many people now opt to use online bill payment services, which eliminate the need to receive bills through the mail. Paperwork for the confirmation of large financial transactions is often sent through the mail. Many tax documents are as well.

New [[credit cards]] and their corresponding [[personal identification numbers]] are sent to their owners through the mail. The card and number are usually mailed separately several days or weeks apart for security reasons.

[[Bulk mail]] is mail that is prepared for bulk mailing, often by [[presort]]ing, and processing at reduced rates. It is often used in [[direct marketing]] and other [[advertising mail]], although it has other uses as well. The senders of these messages sometimes purchase lists of addresses (which are sometimes targeted towards certain [[demographics]]) and then send letters advertising their product or service to all recipients. Other times, commercial solicitations are sent by local companies advertising local products, like a [[restaurant]] delivery service advertising to their delivery area or a [[retail]] store sending their weekly advertising circular to a general area. Bulk mail is also often sent to companies' existing subscriber bases, advertising new products or services.

==== First-Class ====

'''First-Class Mail''' in the U.S. includes postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and small packages, providing each piece weighs {{convert|13|oz}} or less. Delivery is given priority over second-class ([[newspaper]]s and [[magazine]]s), third class (bulk advertisements), and fourth-class mail (books and media packages). First-Class Mail prices are based on both the shape and weight of the item being mailed. Pieces over 13 ounces can be sent as Priority Mail.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class.htm |title=First-Class Mail |publisher=USPS |access-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015214036/https://www.usps.com/ship/first-class.htm |archive-date=2011-10-15 }}</ref> As of 2011 42% of First-Class Mail arrived the next day, 27% in two days, and 31% in three. The USPS expected that changes to the service in 2012 would cause about 51% to arrive in two days and most of the rest in three.<ref name="cbs20111205">{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/postal-service-cuts-mean-slower-mail-in-2012/ | title=Postal service cuts mean slower mail in 2012 | work=CBS News | date=2011-12-05 | agency=Associated Press | access-date=8 July 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008095219/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57336477/postal-service-cuts-mean-slower-mail-in-2012/ | archive-date=8 October 2013 }}</ref> 
The Canada Post counterpart is Lettermail.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletterml-e.asp|title=Lettermail|publisher=Canada Post|access-date=2018-04-22|archive-date=2018-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033929/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletterml-e.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>

The British Royal Mail's 1st Class, as it is styled, is simply a priority option over 2nd Class, at a slightly higher cost. Royal Mail aims (but does not guarantee) to deliver all 1st Class letters the day after posting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalmail.com/personal/sending-mail|title=Sending Mail|publisher=Royal Mail|access-date=2018-04-22|archive-date=2018-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423033735/https://www.royalmail.com/personal/sending-mail|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Austria priority delivery mail is called Prio, in Switzerland A-Post.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.post.ch/en/sending-letters/domestic-letters |title=Comparison of services |publisher=Swiss Post |access-date=2022-05-31 |archive-date=2022-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529115803/https://www.post.ch/en/sending-letters/domestic-letters |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Registered and recorded mail====<!-- [[Recorded mail]], [[Recorded delivery]], and [[Registered post]] redirect here -->
{{Further|Registered mail}}
[[File:CoverCrete1914.jpg|thumb|Multi-franked registered mail from Crete using Greek stamps during the [[Cretan State#Union with Greece|Union with Greece]] to Egypt in 1914 showing numbered registration label]]
Registered mail allows the location and in particular the correct delivery of a letter to be tracked. It is usually considerably more expensive than regular mail, and is typically used for valuable items. Registered mail is constantly tracked through the system.

Recorded mail is handled just like ordinary mail with the exception that it has to be signed for on receipt. This is useful for legal documents where proof of delivery is required.

In the United Kingdom recorded delivery mail (branded as ''signed for'' by the Royal Mail) is covered by ''The Recorded Delivery Services Act 1962''. Under this legislation any document which its relevant law requires service by registered post<ref>for example documents served under The Law of Property Act 1925</ref> can also be lawfully served by recorded delivery.

==== Repositionable notes ====

The [[United States Postal Service]] introduced a test allowing "repositionable notes" (for example, 3M's [[Post-it notes]]) to be attached to the outside of envelopes and bulk mailings,<ref>{{cite web|title=Postal Service Helps Businesses "Stick" to their Message |date=2005-04-05 |url=http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2005/pr05_028.htm |access-date=2007-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929150726/http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2005/pr05_028.htm |archive-date=2007-09-29 }}</ref> afterwards extending the test for an unspecified period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marketing 'Notes' Extended for Additional Year: U.S. Postal Service Governors Issue Decision on Repositionable Notes |date=2007-07-06 |url=http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/pr07_055.htm |access-date=2007-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070711153055/http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/pr07_055.htm |archive-date=2007-07-11 }}</ref> The repositionable note may be fixed directly to the address side of First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letter-size mailpieces. These mailpieces must meet the standards in 7.2 through 7.6. The note is included as an integral part of the mailpiece for weight and postage rate and must be accounted for in pricing.