Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bulk mail and first class mail?
What is a response rate I should expect in a mailing?
How much Will my postage be?
What turn around can I expect for mailing?
When is the best time to mail?
How often are your lists updated?
How do I send you my mailing list - what formats do you accept?
Which class of mail should I choose?
Will the weight of my mail piece affect the cost?
How much space should I leave for the address?
Is it okay if the materials are coated?
Can I include my mailing permit in my artwork?
Can I mail at Nonprofit rates?
Can I have any size postcard I want?
What extra processing is involved with a trifold mailer?
Will my data be kept confidential?
Bulk mail is now called Presort Standard mail. It has a lower priority in delivery. First-class Mail (FCM) will always have an attempt to deliver. Critical mail should use FCM, where marketing mail would be suitable for Standard. Individual situations may vary and we suggest you consult with us beforehand.
back to topResponse rates may vary. 1 - 3 percent is considered good.
back to topPostage costs are dependent upon the size, weight and thickness of your printed piece, as well as the class of service you choose (First Class, Standard, or Nonprofit). Please contact our customer service team to get an estimated postage amount for your mailing project.
back to topOur clients can expect a 24 - 48 hour turn around for the processing of their project after we have received materials, data information, and postage prepayment. Once submitted to the Post Office, delivery to the addressee can vary considerably depending on the class of mail, processing category and target area.
back to topTiming is everything. It is recommended that you schedule to mail so that your mail arrives on Tuesday or Wednesday. The volume of mail is lighter on Tuesday and Wednesday. Avoid Monday delivery. Monday is usually the biggest mail delivery day of the week. Business to Business mailers enjoy a higher response rate by avoiding the summer months. Fundraisers get their best response just prior to major holidays.
back to topWe are continuously updating our lists. With individuals and businesses on the move everyday, this is a critical step in our implementation update processes.
back to topYou can send us your mailing list by ftp, email, or regular mail. We accept a variety of file formats. Here are the most common formats: dbf (dBase), Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, ASCII fixed length, ASCII comma delimited, and ASCII tab delimited.
back to topConsider the class of mail that best suits your budget and delivery time of your project. If you have a time sensitive project you may want to consider First Class mail. If you need to be more cost conscious, you may want to consider mailing Presort Standard mail, which has a general delivery timeframe of 3 to 7 business days and up to 14 days. (Business days are considered Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays). Mail delivery time is not guaranteed by USPS.
back to topThe postage rates on most mail pieces processed as Presort Standard mail are unaffected by weight until they exceed 3.3 ounces. At that point, a surcharge is calculated and added to the final rate. The rate increases gradually in direct correlation with the weight of the piece up to 16 ounces. Over 16 ounces, the mail piece is then considered to be in another class of mail altogether.
back to topThe minimum space for the address is 4" wide x 2" tall in the lower 1/3 of your mail piece. The address area must be completely unprinted and no borders are allowed on the bottom or right edge of the mail piece. If you are unsure, contact one of our customer service representatives and they will be happy to assist you.
back to topWe can imprint addresses on most coated paper stocks. We cannot print directly on your piece if it has a UV coating on the side the addressee will be printed. This would require affixing an adhesive label to the mail piece. The Front side of a postcard can be UV coated without any complications.
back to topYes, we encourage our clients to add a permit (indicia) to their artwork prior to having the materials printed. If your materials have already been printed, we can add the permit (indicia) to your piece while printing the mailing address for an additional fee. Our clients are more than welcome to use our permit (indicia) on their materials. Please contact our customer service team to have the artwork of the correct permit (indicia) emailed to you.
back to topIf you have a nonprofit authorization number from the post office then you are approved to mail at nonprofit rates. Approval from the IRS as a nonprofit organization (501 c3 status) does not allow you to mail at nonprofit rates. The post office requires an application to be completed and reviewed prior to nonprofit status being awarded through the United States Postal Service.
back to topYes, in most cases. There are size limitations (6 1/8" x 11 1/2") and aspect ratios (length divided by height must be 1.3 - 2.5) that must be met to claim th best postage rate possible for your project. Mail pieces outside these parameters will incur higher postage rates. Contact us for more details.
back to topTrifolds or folded mailers must be either single or double tabbed in order to mail. If the folded/ closed edge is at th bottom of the mail piece, the piece is only required to contain a single tab at the top for mailing. If the folded/closed edge is at the top of the mailing piece, the piece is required to be double tabbed at the bottom to mail. Contact us for more information.
back to topYes. Your data will be kept secure and confidential. Should you want us to sign a confidentiality agreement just let us know.
back to top