The “Beginning” in my title is with your sales, print, and design staff. Make sure that your sales, print and design staff are aware of the USPS® specifications as they relate to postage rates and design. They should also know the correct paper stock to achieve automation rates and accommodate inkjet addressing. Consider these questions:

1. Will the ink used for addressing in your mailroom adhere to and dry on the stock chosen? 
2. Can the USPS mail processing equipment (MPE) read the addresses and Intelligent Mail® Barcodes (IMb®) on the paper stock chosen within the addressing area provided by your design staff?
3.  Are you designing mailpieces that need multiple tabs, or pieces that need one or no tabs?  
4. Will the address data fit in the addressing area on the mailpiece or in the window of the envelope chosen for the project?  
5. What will errors affecting these things cost your organization and your client’s?

Look at Windows Differently

Not all “#10, 6x9”, or flat” window envelopes are the same. After the IMb arrived in the mailing world, the addressing area on our mail pieces had to be adjusted. 

The IMb is not only taller but also longer than the POSTNET™ barcodes used in the past. Most of us have adjusted the address blocks on our mail pieces but have not considered that we need a suitable envelope. The task of fitting an address with several data lines, the endorsement line and IMb into the window of any envelope can be frustrating and intimidating. There are “stock” window envelopes that not only begin 5/8” from the bottom (as required and documented on the USPS template standards for addressing), but also have a taller and wider window to allow for the IMb. 

Regardless of your specific role in the mailing industry or process, it is imperative to assist your sales, print and design staff to produce mailpieces that move smoothly through the internal mailing processes, as well as the USPS delivery network, to save time and money, that results in even greater savings through the use of effective and efficient design. 

See Donna’s presentations at the National Postal Forum - May 21-24, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland:

• Mailing 101: Basic Tips for Controlling Postage Costs 
• Optimize your Print Shop to Reduce Mailing Costs
  For her presentation schedule/details go here.