Mailing and Postage

 Because postage and mailing can be such a significant part of any job, we do not price postage for jobs until we see them. This would not be fair to you. We try very hard to get you the most accurate and least expensive postage costs. To do this you must consider three things:

1- The job itself. What size - does it fit within the USPS template for standard sizes? What weight - will it mail by weight or by piece? Does it need to wafer seal? Is it designed properly? Is the mail panel in the right place with the correct clearance? All this needs to be considered to avoid paying a penalty rate.

2- The class. Will it mail first class or presort? Does it meet the requirements for weight and size within that class? Will it mail as a letter, postcard or a publication? Is it non-profit? Do you have your own permit - will you need to mail it at your local post office or should we use our permit and mail it here?

3- The list! How good is it? Are there duplicate names? Did you merge several lists? Do you even have a list? (We can get one for you.) We find that many people have lists that when certified don't have nearly as many names as they thought, and so they are buying too many printed pieces and mailing a lot of duplicates. We can save you money there. Before we figure postage and mailing, we will sort the list, certify it, and quote you the most accurate rate we possibly can.

Mailing Costs

 Mailing, which includes sorting, processing and postage, are a distinct operation from printing and will be charged separately. Because of the need for accuracy, we will be in touch with you on every mailing project. Mailing will be an additional charge to your printing cost and it must be paid before the mailing will actually go to the post office. We can give you an estimate before printing the job, and an exact price after your list is certified.

Classes of Mail

FIRST-CLASS MAIL:

- Delivery time nationwide is 1-3 days

- If you have a minimum of 500 pieces in a mailing, you can mail First-Class Presort for reduced rates, without forsaking delivery time.

- Postage is paid by the ounce, but there are penalties for going over one ounce.

STANDARD MAIL:

- Delivery time nationwide is 3-10 days

- Minimum # of pieces per mailing is 200

- Postage is the same rate up to 3.3 ounces; anything heavier than 3.3 ounces is subject to a per piece rate and a per lb. rate

STANDARD NONPROFIT MAIL:

- Same as above

- Nonprofit organization must be exempt from federal income taxes and be recognized by the United States Postal Service as a nonprofit organization within the city they are mailing from.

- The name and address of the authorized nonprofit organization must be either on the outside of the mail piece or in a prominent location on the material being mailed.

PERIODICAL MAIL:

- Delivery time nationwide is 1-7 days. This class is set aside for regular publishers of magazines, newspapers, etc. that are either paid or requested circulation. It is hard to qualify for Periodical postage.

Each class of mail is divided into two categories:

1) LETTERS - The minimum size for a letter is 3.5 x 5. The maximum size for a letter is 6.125 x 11.5. Minimum thickness for 3.5 x 5 up to 4.25 x 6 is .007". Anything larger than 4.25 x 6 is .009". Maximum weight is 3.3 ounces.

Letters are also subject to certain machinability criteria as listed below. If a mail piece does not meet any of this criteria, it cannot receive automation postage discounts and is also subject to a nonmachinability surcharge.

a. Has an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of less than 1.3 or more than 2.5.

b. Is polybagged, polywrapped or enclosed in any plastic material.

c. Has clasps, strings, buttons or similar closure devices.

d. Contains items such as pens, pencils or loose keys or coins that cause the thickness of the mail piece to be uneven.

e. Is too rigid (does not bend easily when subjected to a transport belt tension of 40 pounds around an 11-inch diameter turn).

f. For pieces more than 4-1/4 inches high or 6 inches long, the thickness is less than .009 inch. (Oversized postcards must be .009 or thicker. This can be a total thickness for a folded piece.)

g. Has a delivery address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece. (vertical design)

2) FLATS - The minimum size for a flat is 6.125 x 11.5. The maximum size for a flat is 12" x 15". Maximum weight is 16 ounces.

Postcards

 Within First Class Mail, you also have the POSTCARD rate. Minimum size is 3.5 x 5. Maximum size is 4.25 x 6. Minimum thickness is .007". Postcards must have the face (side bearing the postage and delivery address) divided vertically into a right side and a left side, with or without a vertical rule. The delivery address, postage and any postal marking or endorsement must appear on the right side; this side must be at least 2-1/8 inches wide (measured from the right edge of the card, top to bottom inclusive). Any non-delivery address information must appear on the left side.

Wafer Sealing or Tabbing

 Folded self-mailers must be tabbed, or wafer sealed. If the piece has its fold on the length, one wafer seal is required if below the mailing address and two if above the mailing address. If the piece has its fold on the right width, and is less than 7", then one seal is required on the opposite width. If the piece has its fold on the right width, and is 7" or longer, then two seals are required.

CASS Certification

 CASS certification is recommended on all bulk mailings. This process will match the customer's database to a nationwide postal database for address verification only. It does not match a person to an address. It will append zip codes where missing or correct any misspelled street names or city names. If an address cannot be matched, an error code will be assigned to indicate what is wrong with the address (i.e. there is no such street number for that particular street, etc.). And finally, it appends a postal barcode to each delivery address for a reduced postage rate.

Mailing Lists

1) Resident/Occupant lists - These are designed to target every household and/or business within a particular zip code or postal route. Names are available where known. The only other selection is SFDU (single-family dwelling units) vs. MFDU (multi-family dwelling units). Lists are rented for single use only.

2) Consumer lists - This list has the name of the head of household. Other demographic selections are available, such as: age, income, SFDU vs. MFDU, Homeowners, time of residence, Sex, Marital Status, Presence of children, Children's age, Ethnic surname, Home value and Year House Built. Lists can be rented for a single use or purchased for multiple use.

3) Business lists - Basic list includes company name and address only. Other selections include contact name, telephone number, sales volume employee size, SIC code, Year started, Headquarters/Branch locations. List can be rented for a single use or purchased for multiple use.

Other specialty lists are available, such as specific catalog buyers or specific magazine subscribers.

It's hard to include everything but we really do think we can save you money and headaches.