Video Tutorial

Watch the video above to see "How to Create a Certified Mail Cover Sheet or Label" with the SimpleCertifiedMail.com service. For more detailed info, read the video transcript below.

Time stamps are in [Minutes:Seconds]. Length of video is 5 minutes, 50 seconds.

00:04 Voice over:
Welcome to SimpleCertifiedMail.com. This video tutorial will show you how to create Certified Mail cover sheets and adhesive labels.

00:17 Voice over:
Use cover sheets for Certified Mail that fits into the #10 (6" x 9") envelopes and 9" x 12" envelopes that we provide. Use our custom adhesive labels for Certified Mail that requires a Priority Mail envelope or a box.

00:33 Voice over:
First, login to your account. Whenever you log into your account you'll be brought to the "create cover sheet and label" screen. This is where you prepare and print the cover sheet or custom adhesive label you need for each Certified Mail piece.

00:50 Voice over:
There are three steps to the process. Step 1 - originator is the return address that will print on the cover sheet or adhesive label. The system defaults to your primary address. You can keep it as is or select a previously saved address from the address book.

01:15 Voice over:
Step 2 - recipient is where you enter the name and address for your mail piece. Enter the information manually or click the address book link to choose a previously saved address.

01:31 Voice over:
The reference field can be anything you'd like. It's useful for adding internal tracking information such as matter or project codes. This field does not print on the cover sheet or adhesive label but you'll see it in reports. The item ID field does print on the cover sheet or adhesive label. It can help you identify what matter or project the letter is associated with if it has ever returned to you by the post office.

01:59 Voice over:
The mailing date is useful if you are preparing a large mailing and need a common mailing date. You can schedule a mailing up to seven days in advance.

02:09 Voice over:
Now let's proceed to step three - mail piece information. Mailing service is the type of mail you're sending - select from the list. Next choose "restricted delivery" if your mail piece must be delivered only to the recipient or someone authorized to sign for the recipient.

02:29 Voice over:
For all pieces, make sure to check the "include postage" box. Next, choose the container for the mail piece. Today, because our letter is only four pages we'll use one of the #10 window envelopes that SimpleCertifiedMail.com provides. As a result, we'll print a cover sheet on plain letter sized paper that can easily fold into the window envelope. Note that in most cases, Certified Mail can be sent in a window envelope. However if the mail weight is more than 13 ounces, print on an adhesive label and adhere it to a Priority Mail envelope or box.

03:07 Voice over:
Next choose the total number of pages. If you're using an envelope, the service automatically determines the postage by the number of pages you specify - no weighing will be necessary.

03:20 Voice over:
Next verify the page count and then choose if you'd like to receive an email notification when the mail piece is delivered. Now here's a helpful hint: if you use the same settings most of the time, click "Save label information" as a default setting. This will save you time in the future to make sure your cover sheet is correct

03:40 Voice over:
Click the "preview label" button. Before previewing, the service checks and verifies the recipient address against the full US Postal Service database. On this screen you'll have two choices, you can select the address as you entered it or use the official validated USPS address. Today, I'll choose the validated USPS address because it includes the full nine digit zip code.

04:05 Voice over:
The system now displays the recipient address with a zip plus four digit zip code. Click the "preview label" button once again. Now the system shows you a preview of what will print except that it has words "void - do not mail" running across the piece. This view provides one more chance to review the cover sheet or label for accuracy before printing the final version which includes and purchases electronic postage. If it all looks correct, click "create this label."

04:38 Voice over:
Next the system displays the finished cover sheet or label including electronic postage. Click "print this label" and follow the same steps you always do when printing from your computer.

04:50 Voice over:
Retrieve the cover sheet from your printer and place it along with the other pages into one of the custom Certified Mail envelopes we provide. And remember, for larger mail pieces such as large flats and boxes you can use one of our custom adhesive labels in your printer. They include the green Certified Mail banner across the top and they work in standard inkjet and laser printers.

05:15 Voice over:
That's it! Now you know how to create a cover sheet thank you for choosing SimpleCertifiedMail com. If you have any questions please reach out via our website or call us at 888-462-1750, extension one. This information is also contained in the user guide and administrator manual both of which can be downloaded by visiting our website at www.SimpleCertifiedMail.com/user-guides/