MAIL SERVICES
Data/List Maintenance
Mailing Lists
High Speed Ink Jetting
Mail Merge Letters
Labeling/Tabbing
Machine Insertion
Collating & Hand Work
Polybagging & Packaging
Fulfillment Services

TIPS & FAQs
The Mailing Process
Most Common Postage Rates
Mail Date/List Privacy
Optimizing the Mailing Process
Mail Do's And Don'ts
Common Direct Mail Terms

The Mailing Process
Address Standardization
The first step is to run your database of names through our computer program. This makes sure that each address is standardized based on requirements from the Post Office.

CASS Certification
The next step is to add the zip+4 to the 5-digit zip codes. Performing this step allows us to get the lowest postage rates for your mailing with automation barcode information.

Ink Jet Addressing
Once the addresses have been Standardized and CASS Certified, we then ink jet the names, addresses and postal bar code directly onto the mail piece. This method has been proven to be more effective than using labels.

Presorting for Postal Discounts
After the mail pieces have been addressed, we then separate them into bundles based on specific zip code sequences or Postal Processing center. These bundles are then rubber-banded and placed in assigned trays.

Delivery to the Post Office
The last step of your mailing is to fill out all of the paper work and deliver the mail to the Post Office.

Delivery to the Post Office
The last step of your mailing is to fill out all of the paper work and deliver the mail to the Post Office.

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Most Common Postage Rates
Pre-sorted First Class

• This is the same as First Class Mail except the Post Office gives us a discount because we sort your mail in specific zip code sequence.
• Delivery time averages 2-3 days for a nationwide mailing. Mail goes by air and truck.
• Any bad addresses are returned to sender Free of Charge.

Pre-sorted Standard (f.k.a. Bulk-mail)

• Delivery time can average 10 days (often much less) but can take up to 4 weeks for a nationwide mailing.
• All Standard mail goes by truck (not air).
• Bad addresses are thrown away, not returned to the Sender. Exceptions to this are if an endorsement line is placed below the return address instructing the USPS to return the mail to the sender. Additional charges are incurred for this service.

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Guaranteeing Your Mail Dates
We will need print approvals and payment of postage before we mail your job. We will give you estimated times of arrival. Please Note: We cannot be liable for Post Office delivery schedules or when the USPS will deliver your mailing.

Mailing List(s) Privacy
Your mailing list will not be sold or offered for use to any other party or used for any other purpose.

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Optimizing the Mailing Process
In Order to Keep Costs Down & Get Your Order Out in a Timely Manner, We Will Need:

• An electronic copy of your mailing list. Keep your original mailing list and send us a copy of your mailing list.
• Provide your mailing list on a disk in one of the following file formats:ASCII Tab or Comma Delimited, Excel Spreadsheet, or DBF (database format). Please Note, Direct Response cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of your list(s).

If You Want To Eliminate Duplicates, Be Sure to Request It on the Order Form.

• Direct Response will remove duplicate names within database files at the request of the customer. Please Note, Direct Response cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of duplicate removal due to variances in the data.

If You Want To Avoid Shortages With Your Mailing, We Recommend Printing A Minimum Of 3-5% Extra Postcards.

• It is inevitable that some of your postcards will get damaged while in the printing and/or mailing process. It is for these reasons that we recommend printing a minimum of 3-4% extra postcards.

If You Want Us To Verify The Accuracy Of Your Addresses, Be Sure To Request It On The Order Form.

• The Post Office requires that all mail being sent First Class Pre-sort be updated through the National Change Of Address (NCOA) within the last 180 days of your mailing.
• Direct Response offers the NCOA service for a cost of $8/M at a minimum cost of $32. Please Note, If you do not ask us to provide this service, we cannot assume responsibility for postal penalties.

If You Wish to Mail Out Any Indicia Printed Materials That Have Been Returned To You:

• You must place a stamp over the indicia before mailing any postcards.
• Even though your cards have been printed with an indicia that says "Postage PAID", you have only been charged for the postcards that have been mailed through the Post Office.

If You Want Leftover Pieces Returned After Your Mailing Has Been Completed, Be Sure To Request It On The Order Form.

• Unless specifically requested by the customer on the order form, we will not return any leftover materials.

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Mail Do's And Don'ts

Don't - Send us your one and only original copy of your mailing list.
Do - Send us a COPY of your mailing list.
Don't - Drop a mail piece with a "Postage PAID" indicia in the mail.
Do - Place a stamp over the Postage PAID indicia before mailing any pieces that have been returned to you. Even though your cards have been printed with an indicia that says "Postage PAID", you have only been charged for the postcards that have been mailed through the Post Office.
Don't - Design a mailing piece without consulting our design staff or the Postal Mail Design Piece Analyst.
Do - Ask for a free mail piece design consultation. This will save you time, headaches and money!

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Common Direct Mail Terms
Address Correction Requested: Update your mailing lists with U.S.P.S. provided new address for a person who moved.

Presort Standard: Formerly known as Bulk Mail. Using the U.S.P.S. to deliver your companies' message in mass quantities at a reduced postage rate.

BRM (Business Reply Mail): A service enabling Advertisers to receive First-Class Mail back from customers on their mailing lists.

Carrier Presort: Mail on which the carrier route number for delivery is identified for a reduced postage rate.

Indicia: Preprinted marking (stamp area) on each piece of Standard Mail denoting postage paid. See samples below.

Merge/Purge Mailing List: To combine names, addresses and related data from various marketing lists to identify and eliminate duplicate names.

Presort Standard: Third Class Mail.

Return Postage Guaranteed: Presort Standard Mail is returned by the U.S.P.S. as undeliverable for a nominal fee.

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Need More Information?

Call 859.254.1667 or 1.800.845.0140 and let one of our friendly
customer service representatives answer your questions.