Currently, the USPS has delayed the required implementation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode to May 2009. Please contact the USPS for the most current information on this subject.
Online Resource: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces

Question 1: Can I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using my RENA Systems Printer?

Question 2: Do I need to update the printer's internal software (firmware) so it can print the Intelligent Mail Barcode?

Question 3: My mailing program doesn't have the capability to create the Intelligent Mail Barcode. Is there another way to print this barcode, using my current mailing program?

Question 4: How do I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using FlexMail 3.1?

Question 5: I am using an earlier version of FlexMail that does not contain the "OneCode" or "USPS Intelligent Mail" barcode choice. How can I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using this program?

Other Resources:

• Intelligent Mail Barcode Description: http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/IMD/Mailer_ID_and_IM_Barcode.pdf

• Online Resource: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces

• A Customer Identifier (Mailer ID) is needed to create valid Intelligent Mail Barcodes. If you don't have a Mailer ID, it can be obtained from the USPS by contacting your local Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA).
  Not sure who your local MDA is? Click the following link to lookup your local MDA.  http://pe.usps.com/mpdesign/mpdfr_mda_lookup.asp

Question 1: Can I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using my RENA Systems Printer?

Answer: In most cases, yes. All "current" Rena Systems printer models, shown below, are capable of printing the Intelligent Mail Barcode. To print this barcode, the software program you are using must be capable of sending the Intelligent Mail Barcode as a graphic image or True Type font to your printer.

Current Rena Systems Printer Models: Envelope Imager 1.5/1.5+/2.5/3.0/4.0/XT3.0/XT4.0/CS, XPS-ProMail 3.0/4.0

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

Please note that Intelligent Mail Barcode printing and readability tests have not been conducted on our "older" Rena inkjet printer models, shown below. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you print barcode samples and have the USPS verify barcode readability, to determine if your particular printer model will print acceptable Intelligent Mail Barcodes.

Older Rena Inkjet Printer Models:
DA608/610/615. Envelope Imager I/II/III/2XP, PS-1000/2000, XPS-1000/2000/3000.
These older Rena inkjet printer models use the 45A style print cartridge(s). Each 45A style print cartridge is capable of printing a 0.50" high image. Since the Intelligent Mail Barcode height specification ranges between 0.125" min and 0.165" maximum; printers using the 45A style print cartridge can easily accommodate the full height of this barcode image. When positioning the barcode, make sure the entire barcode height is printed within the height of a single print cartridge. Barcodes split between adjacent print cartridges may produce image misalignment issues and therefore may cause barcode readability issues.

DA590/600/606/607.
These older Rena inkjet printer models are shuttling head printers that use a 26A style print cartridge. The 26A style print cartridge is capable of printing a 0.125" high image with each head movement. Since the USPS reduced the minimum barcode height restriction to 0.125", it may also be possible to print this barcode on our older Rena inkjet printer models. However, because of the limited print height (0.125") of the 26A style print cartridge, positioning the barcode so the entire barcode height is printed with one head movement may be difficult. Barcodes split between multiple head movements may produce image misalignment issues and therefore may cause barcode readability issues. Rena inkjet printer models that use the 45A style print cartridge(s) are better suited to print the Intelligent Mail Barcode.

Notes for Older Rena Inkjet Printer Users:
The DA590 and DA600 printers models can not accept True Type fonts; therefore the software program you are using, to print the Intelligent Mail Barcode, must be capable of sending this barcode image as a graphic to the printer.
Due to their age; the following Rena inkjet printer models are no longer supported and therefore software and drivers for these models may not be available or may not be compatible with current operating systems.
DA590, DA600, DA606, DA607, DA610 and DA615. Newer printer models are available from Rena Systems Inc.

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

Question 2: Do I need to update the printer's internal software (firmware) so it can print the Intelligent Mail Barcode?

Answer: No. The Intelligent Mail Barcode is not a feature found within the printer. It is a function/feature of the computer based software (mailing program). In general; if your software program has the ability to print to your Rena Systems inkjet printer and your software program has the ability to create and print the Intelligent Mail Barcode, then it should be possible to print this barcode with your printer.

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

Question 3: My mailing program doesn't have the capability to create the Intelligent Mail Barcode. Is there another way to print this barcode, using my current mailing program?

Answer: In most cases, yes.  Until your mailing program has this feature available; you can obtain the encoder software utility and barcode font (USPS4CB) from the USPS. These tools can be used, along with many software programs, to produce the Intelligent Mail Barcode.

The "Four-State Barcode" font (USPS4CB) is loaded to your system when you run the Encoder installation utility, downloaded from the USPS.

Please see the following Online Resource: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces to obtain these tools.

JetMate Users: JetMate is NOT capable of printing the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), even if you use the "USPS4CB" font from the USPS. There is no update to add the IMB capability to JetMate. The JetMate product is no longer supported.

FlexMail Users: FlexMail 3.1, is one of the programs available that has the capability of encoding the data, creating, and printing the Intelligent Mail Barcode; assuming you are able to provide the FlexMail 3.1 program with the appropriate data fields.

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

Question 4: How do I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using FlexMail 3.1?

Answer: In order to print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using FlexMail 3.1, your data file must contain the appropriate "Tracking and Routing Data". The barcode can then be produced from this data by doing the following:

1. Insert a new barcode box into your designer screen.

2. Select "OneCode" or "USPS Intelligent Mail" as the Barcode Type.
   The "OneCode" barcode choice was renamed "USPS Intelligent Mail" barcode in FM3.1 SP5 and higher.

3. Choose the Barcode Source.
   If your data file has a single field with the "Tracking" and "Routing" data in it, you can select this one field.
   If your data file contains separate "Tracking" and "Routing" fields, then use the "Fx" (expression builder) button to select both fields. Make sure the "Tracking" field is selected first". The "&" symbol must be used to join fields together.  Example: [Track] & [Route]. When you click on OK, the expression you built should appear in the Barcode Source window. Example "«[Track] & [Route]»".

4. Click on OK. The Intelligent Mail Barcode should now be displayed on your screen.

5. Adjust the barcode size, so it meets USPS specifications. By clicking and dragging the corners of the barcode box you can adjust the width and height of the barcode. You can also adjust the bar line width using the "Line thickness reduction" feature found in the "Edit Barcode" window.

6. Print test samples and have them verified/accepted by the USPS.
   
   Tip: The Intelligent Mail Barcode can also be printed using the process described under Question 5:.

FlexMail 3.1 Notes: In FlexMail 3.1 SP4 or lower, the Intelligent Mail Barcode is identified as "OneCode". Choose Barcode Type: "OneCode" when printing the Intelligent Mail Barcode with FlexMail 3.1 SP4 or lower. Do not choose the Barcode Type "4-State" when using FlexMail.
In FM3.1 SP5 the "OneCode" barcode choice was renamed "USPS Intelligent Mail" barcode.

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

Question 5: I am using an earlier version of FlexMail that does not contain the "OneCode" or "USPS Intelligent Mail" barcode choice. How can I print the Intelligent Mail Barcode using this program?

Answer: If your data file doesn't contain the "Encoder Data" (data generated by encoding the Tracking and Routing fields), then you will need to add this field and data to your existing data file before you can proceed. You can obtain the encoder software utility from the USPS.
Please see the following Online Resource: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces to obtain this tool.

If your data file already contains the "Encoder Data" (data generated by encoding the Tracking and Routing fields), the Intelligent Mail Barcode can be produced using the "Encoder Data" field, from your data file, by doing the following:

1. Insert a new text box into your designer screen.

2. Place the "Encode Data" field into this new "text box".

3. Select the "Four-State Barcode" font (USPS4CB) for this "text box". The "text box" should now display an Intelligent Mail Barcode.

4. Adjust the barcode size using the font size (point size) selection so that the barcode meets postal regulations.

5. Print test samples and have them verified/accepted by the USPS.
   
   Note: Make sure the text box is not too small for the barcode, or the barcode will be cut-short. Selecting "resize text box to fit text" may cause a problem when using this barcode font. Unselect this choice, then click and drag the corner of the text box, to make the text box larger, until it accommodates the entire width and height of the barcode.
   
   The "Four-State Barcode" font is loaded to your system when you run the Encoder installation utility, downloaded from the USPS.
   Please see the following Online Resource: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailpieces to obtain these tools.

FlexMail Notes: If you add a barcode box to your designer, you may find the Barcode Type "4-State" in the pull down list. This "4-State" barcode choice will not produce an acceptable USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode. Do not choose the Barcode Type "4-State" when using FlexMail.

IMPORTANT: There are many things that can effect the image produced by the printer. Please be sure to print a sample mailing and have the Intelligent Mail Barcode verified/accepted by the USPS before you run a live job.

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