Vanessa Wood
Design to Spec LLC – Website Design in Darien, CT
Q. What’s the difference between Standard and Presorted First Class?
A. The two classes under the term Bulk Mail Rate vary and you will need to weigh how each might fit your needs. If you want undeliverable postcards returned to you, then you should choose Presorted First Class. With Standard Class undeliverable mail is not returned and you will not have the opportunity to clean up your mailing list.
Standard Class
At least 200 pieces
All postcards must be identical. No personalized messages can be written on them!
No Forwarding, No returns
Presorted First Class
At least 500 pieces
Postcards may contain personalized information.
Better rates if address has barcode.
Yes – forwarding and returns.
Q. How do I create a barcode for an address label?
A. If you use MS WORD to create your mailing labels you will have the option to check that you want the “delivery point bar code” when you are creating mailing labels. You must have Zip+4 in your database in order for the barcodes print correctly on the labels and for the post office to accept the mail’s barcode.
Q. How do I find or verify the Zip+4 for addresses in my database?
A. The post office requires a perfect ZIP+4 to take advantage of barcode rates. Depending upon the size and the age of your mailing list, you can check addresses against the post office’s own zip code database at www.usps.gov or use a mailing service.
Q. What is CASS?
A. CASS is the Coding Accuracy Support System and refers to those extra four digits that have been added to zip codes. Adding the extra digits has helped the post office computerize their system and in turn the post office offers businesses discounts on bulk mail to encourage the use of Zip+4 and barcodes.
Q. How do I mail my postcards?
A. After you have sorted your cards by zip+4, you will bring them in to the bulk mail acceptance person at the post office. They will check your account to be sure you have enough “postage” in it and then process the postcards.
Q. What’s an indicia?
A. An indicia is the square of information in the place a stamp is usually placed on the postcard. It always contains your bulk rate permit number. Give your designer your permit information and they will create your indicia as part of the final postcard design. Your indicia saves you sticking a stamp on each postcard!
Q. Are there size and weight requirements for postcards?
A. A postcard must have a rectangular shape… it can not be square or die cut.
A postcard can not be under 3.5” high, nor exceed 4.25” high.
A postcard can not be under 5” long, nor exceed 6” long.
A postcard must not be more than .016” thick.
Q. How does the rate for postcards vary between First Class and Bulk Rate?
A. Here’s a rate comparison for postcards
First Class 23¢ per card
Standard Class (barcoded) 21.9¢ per card
Standard Class (barcoded and 150 cards
sent to same 3-digit area)20.3¢ per card
Pre-Sorted First Class (non-barcoded) 21.2¢ per card
PreSorted First Class (barcoded) 19.4¢ per card
Q. Are there any deeper discounts available for sending postcards?
A. Yes. If you send more than 150 postcards to one 5-digit area, the rate drops to 17.6¢ per card.
Q. Where can I find out more information about bulk mail?
A. The US Post Office has a terrific page that focuses on just direct mail. It provides answers to cleaning your mailing list, reducing costs, qualifying for non-profit rates, and more. http://www.usps.com/directmail/welcome.htm
Tags: bulk mail, ct, darien, design, design to spec, designer, postcard
