Mailing
Terminology of some common terms related to mailings |
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The mail piece must conform to the criteria assigned by the USPS to insure the piece is DPBC (Delivery Point Barcoded) and meets the physical criteria necessary to be processed by equipment rather than by hand. Some of the design issues are overall size, thickness, flexibility, aspect ratio (length versus height dimensions), background and text color of the address area, and design of the mailing area of the piece. Benefits from this type of preparation are lower postage rates. Mailpieces prepared as letter (Non-Automated), are prepared at a higher rate than automated pieces. Mailpieces that do not qualify as machineable are penalized with a surcharge | |
| CDS Lists | Computerized Delivery Sequence. This is a Walk_Sequenced list (one mailpiece to each address, the pieces addressed and trayed in the order in which it is delivered by the carrier. This type of mailing must be prepared from a CDS qualified list. Mailed as Standard A, it is the cheapest rate available. |
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| Letters or Flats | The direction of the address determines which are the width and height dimensions of a mailpiece. With the address "Read-Right", the length is "Left-Right" and the height is "Up-Down". Letter - (Height - 3.5" to 6.125") (Length - 5" to 11.5") (Thickness - .007" to .250") (Aspect Ratio - (length divided by height) must be between 1.3 and 2.5) |
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| Presort Catergories | Some of the most commonly used presorts are First Class and Standard A. First Class is given priority over Standard A in processing and moving the mail. If time is critical, First Class is safer. If time is not critical, Standard A is substantially cheaper. Neither category is guaranteed to be delivered in any specific time frame. Averages appear to be approximately 2-3 days for First Class and 4-6 days Standard A. There are exceptions especially over holidays. To be safe, mail early. Automated and Nonautomated preparation are available in each of the presorts. |
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| Direct Impression | The address is printed directly on to the mailpiece instead of a label | |
| DPBC | Delivery Point Barcode is formed from a 12 digit zip code derived from a CASS certified address | |