Well, the USPS will raise postage rates in 2012.

For first class mail, the new USPS postcard rate is 32 cents  (up 3 cents) and the new USPS letter rate is 45 cents for 1st ounce (up 1 cent).

For discounted USPS bulk mail, new rates are also going up an average of 2% or so.

The new rates take effect January 22, 2012.

None of the increase should be a surprise, considering rising fuel costs and some very high (multi billion dollar) payments demanded by Congress.

The rate increases are capped by law — they cannot exceed the rate of inflation.   The last time prices went up was May 2009.

So what will the impact be on the postage costs for our postcard magnets at magnetbyMail.com ?   Our rate for First Class Bulk mail will be 43 cents, Standard Third Class Bulk at 28 cents, and Non Profit Bulk at 20 cents.  (Note- our postcard magnets are not considered automation compatible mail.)