Postal Rates on postcards, heavier mailings in April

Beginning in April, small businesses using printing and mailing campaigns to reach customers may want to set aside some extra funds, as postal prices are set to increase.

The United States Postal Service will raise prices on a variety of mailing options, from first-class letters, flats and cards to standard mail letters, high density/saturation letters, parcels and flats. The increases will be limited to the Consumer Price Index cap of 1.7 percent.

Postcard prices will also increase by a penny to 29 cents.

"While changing prices is always a difficult decision, we have made every effort to keep the impact minimal for consumers and customers doing business with us at retail lobbies," Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe said in a statement.

The rate increases come in response to a steep revenue loss last year, as more consumers migrate toward the internet for their communications needs. In fact, according to the Associated Press, the Postal Service lost $8.5 billion last year, despite cutting more than 100,000 jobs and other reductions.