In 2026, the Tactile, Sensory & Interactive (TSI) promotion returns with a larger discount, an earlier start date, and the ability to stack add-ons for even greater savings. Here is a clear, practical walkthrough of how the promotion works, what qualifies, how approvals happen, and what to watch for, based on real-world guidance from our Postal Affairs and Structural Design teams.
What is the USPS TSI Promotion?
The USPS TSI Promotion encourages mailers to add a physical or sensory element to their mailpiece, something the recipient can feel, open, peel, or smell.
The idea is simple: take a printed mailpiece and add a noticeable feature that creates interaction. In return, the United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a postage discount.
This promotion has been around for almost 10 years, and the rules are well defined. If your piece displays a qualifying element that meets the listed guidelines, it is most likely eligible.
What Qualifies Under the USPS TSI Promotion?
Sensory elements (especially scent)
Scent is one of the most reliable ways to qualify. Examples include:
- Scratch-and-sniff or rub-and-smell coatings
- Peel-away fragrance labels
As long as the scent is part of the primary mailpiece, it almost always meets the criteria.
Tactile and interactive elements
Many tactile or interactive features also qualify, including:
- Zip strips or perforated pull-open strips
- Peel-and-reveal elements
- Envelope “zipper” openings
- Trailing-edge envelopes
- Metallic inks
- Noticeable treatments, including soft touch and spot gloss coatings
The key requirement is that the feature must be noticeable and intentional. A good rule of thumb is to use enough treated area, often around four square inches, so it’s easy for reviewers to identify.
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Common Misconceptions About Eligibility
“It has to be on the outside of the envelope”
Not true. The qualifying feature can be inside the outer envelope, as long as it’s part of a primary component of the mailpiece.
For example:
- A brochure with a coating or texture inside an envelope can qualify
- An attached card that is clearly part of the main message can qualify
What doesn’t work for the USPS TSI Promotion is putting the feature on something minor, like:
- A buck slip
- A reply envelope
The USPS wants the interactive element to be part of the main experience, not an afterthought.
Coated paper vs. applied coatings
In past years, certain gloss papers qualified on their own. That is no longer the case. Today, the promotion requires a treatment, such as a printed varnish or a UV coating, such as gloss or a texture—that is clearly applied to the piece.
If it looks like it might just be the paper stock, it may not be approved.
Format details to pay attention to
Zip strips vs. snap packs
This is one of the most common questions.
- Zip strips and perforated panes (advent doors and windows) are eligible
- Snap packs are not
A snap pack typically has a sealed stub edge that snaps open. Even though it requires interaction, it does not meet the promotion’s criteria.
Metallic inks and soft touch treatments
Both metallic inks and soft touch coatings are specifically recognized in the guidelines. When used properly and with enough coverage, they are solid qualifying options.
How USPS TSI Promotion Enrollment and Approval Works
Who enrolls
For the TSI promotion, mail service providers can enroll on behalf of their clients. That means you don’t need to worry about enrolling yourself before the promotion starts.
Sample submission
A physical sample of the mailpiece must be submitted to USPS for review. This is how eligibility is confirmed.
Reusing approvals
One of the biggest advantages of this promotion is approval reuse:
- If a specific enhancement (for example, a metallic coating or scratch-and-sniff treatment) is approved once within the calendar year program.
- That same format can be reused during the promotion window without resubmitting the artwork again.
You can change artwork, but if the format changes, the piece should be resubmitted.
This helps reduce last-minute pressure when pieces are coming off press and headed into the mailstream.
2026 TSI Promotion Dates and Planning Ahead
For 2026, the TSI promotion runs:
- January 1 through June 30
This is earlier than in past years. The good news is that when TSI ends on June 30, the Integrated Technology Promotion begins on July 1.
With some planning, it’s possible to move from one promotion to the next and use USPS incentives throughout the entire year.
What’s the Savings?
In 2026, the TSI promotion offers:
- 5% off postage, up from 4% in 2025
In addition, eligible add-ons can be stacked, bringing total potential savings to as much as 7%.
Beyond postage savings, these enhancements often improve response by encouraging recipients to interact with the piece instead of setting it aside. The longer the mailpiece stays in recipients’ hands, the higher chance of conversion.
Practical Tips to Improve Approval Chances
- Make sure the qualifying feature is easy to identify at a glance
- Use coatings that contrast with the paper stock (for example, gloss on matte paper or matte on gloss paper)
- Avoid subtle treatments that could be mistaken for the paper itself
- Build the tactile or sensory element into the design early, rather than adding it at the end
The first line in the eligibility criteria is that the feature must be identifiable. Keeping that in mind during design goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
The USPS Tactile, Sensory & Interactive Promotion is one of the most flexible and reliable postal incentives available. When done correctly, it provides real postage savings and creates a more engaging mail experience.
If you’re already mailing, this promotion is often less about changing your strategy and more about making small, smart adjustments to formats you’re already using.
Download the easy-to-use 2026 USPS Postal Promotions Planning Calendar by sg360°.
How sg360° Can Help
Our postage promo experts have guided many brands through sensory elements, common misconceptions, and USPS enrollment and approval to ensure their mail qualifies and still performs. And we’ve saved clients hundreds of thousands of dollars along the way.
If you’re considering the USPS TSI promotion or simply want to understand whether it fits your 2026 strategy, reach out. We’re here to help you make the most of it.
And don’t forget to download the annual sg360° postage planner that includes dates and deadlines for all 2026 direct mail promotions.
At sg360°, our direct mail experts help clients think through eligibility, structural design, approvals, and timing, so promotions support performance, not complicate it. Ready to chat? Request a FREE consultation today.
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