Weigh Your Paper Options

In addition, for smaller catalogs, lowering basis weight doesn’t save money at the post office. Until the catalog weighs more than 3.3 ounces, catalogers pay a flat postage rate, so many of them choose to go with heavier paper for higher quality.

Schneider indicates that these same smaller catalogs have to meet certain standards of paper stiffness in order to navigate the postal machinery. Catalogs that are too flimsy will not meet Standard A mail requirements.