Elevate Your Print Quality

When it comes to direct mail, not all printers are created equal. In fact, many companies that use direct mail often struggle with errors and inconsistent print quality.

Why? The key lies in the choice of printer (or network of printers) they work with.

With over 30 years of industry experience, we’ve found that partnering with a direct mail provider that has in-house printing capabilities—rather than outsourcing to a network of printers—offers superior control, customization, turnaround, confidentiality, and cost efficiency, making it the preferred choice for delivering high-quality results.

Total Control & Unmatched Consistency

By working with a direct mail provider that manages printing internally, you eliminate the middleman, granting complete control over every stage of the process. Unlike batch printing, commonly used by large printer networks that manage multiple orders simultaneously, in-house production typically works on a job-by-job basis. This approach ensures consistent quality, as dedicated team members can monitor each project’s color consistency, scuffs, and data accuracy. They can even scan QR codes to verify correctness when needed.

A recent direct mail industry report indicates that 50% of consumers believe low-quality presentation is likely to create a negative first impression. Opting for in-house production provides the advantage of thorough inspections and immediate adjustments, reducing errors and ensuring that every piece of mail meets the highest quality standards.

Tailored Customization & Flexible Solutions

In-house printing also offers unparalleled customization and flexibility, particularly for time-sensitive projects. It allows up to a 1-3 day quicker turnaround on custom requests and changes compared to outsourced printing, which often faces delays due to multiple points of contact. Being able to directly communicate with an account manager who has direct access to the production floor ensures immediate adjustments, while outsourced services require navigating through layers of representatives without achieving the actual desired outcome.

Furthermore, with internal printing capabilities, you can make precise color adjustments, specifically color matching, and change paper stock to meet your exact requirements. This level of customization is crucial for brands that need to keep a consistent image across all printed materials. And, given that in-house teams are often more familiar with their equipment and materials, they can offer expert advice and innovative solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Speedy Turnarounds That Keep You Ahead

Let’s talk about turnaround times! Working with a provider that manages its production internally significantly reduces production times compared to outsourced services. Close management and efficient workflows can be crucial for meeting tight deadlines and ensuring prompt delivery, especially around holidays or seasonal activities.

The streamlined processes and direct oversight of in-house printing allow for a quicker project initiation and completion, avoiding delays associated with coordinating multiple external vendors.

Cost Efficiency Without Compromise

Switching to a provider with in-house production can save upwards of 40% on production costs compared to outsourcing. This is thanks to reduced vendor fees, lower transportation costs, and employee costs. Eliminating the intermediary also removes markup fees, with some facilities offering bulk discount options and in-house storage after job completion.

Additionally, in-house printing also ensures price expectations are met at an affordable rate, with a primary focus on customer satisfaction and building trust in services. By managing the entire process internally, companies can better control costs and allocate resources more effectively. This cost efficiency, combined with the high quality and reliability of in-house printing, makes it an attractive choice for businesses looking to maximize their return on investment.

After all, ease of mind is worth every penny.

Trust & Security

Finally, in-house printing also offers a higher level of service and trust. For instance, in-house printing providers typically require clients to approve live PDF data proofs before printing, ensuring accuracy and alignment with client expectations. In-house teams are also equipped to provide guidance, offer eco-friendly options that align with company values, and handle confidential materials for highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance with the utmost care.

Overall, the direct relationship with in-house printing teams fosters better collaboration and a deeper understanding of client needs and enables the anticipation and proactive resolution of any potential issue prior to it happening, leading to a smoother process and higher-quality outcomes.

Final Thoughts

At Strata, managing our print production internally allows us to maintain strict quality control by checking each step of the process. This ensures every order, whether placed today or years later, keeps the same high-quality standard. Our experts immediately address and resolve any issues using our robust system to check each print throughout the job, ensuring superior and reliable quality.

Are you ready to consider in-house options for your printing needs to avoid inconsistent results and achieve reliable, high-quality printing? Contact us today to learn more.

Beyond the Letter

In today’s digital age, direct mail remains a powerful tool for marketers to reach their audience in a tangible and personal way. With a variety of formats available beyond the standard letter, choosing the right direct mail format can be overwhelming. We can help!

From Ancient Letters to Modern Marvels

With over 30 years of experience, we’ve seen it all, from the common to the uncommon. Direct mail has evolved from simple letters into innovative formats such as postcards, bifold/trifold self-mailers, and dimensional mail. These options empower marketers to enhance their campaigns, reduce costs (at times), capture recipients’ attention, and drive engagement and conversions.

Let’s dive into these direct mail formats and explore which might be the best bet for your marketing efforts.

Postcards: The Budget-Friendly and Highly Visible Marketing Tool

Let’s start with a fan favorite – the postcard. Postcards are a budget-friendly and efficient direct mail tool, offering lower production and postage costs than more complex formats, making them ideal for reaching any audience size. One of their standout advantages is their immediate visibility, as postcards don’t require opening, ensuring the recipient sees the message right away. This, combined with their concise format, allows recipients to quickly grasp the key points, making postcards the ideal option for delivering clear and direct messages.

However, postcards have limitations: their smaller size restricts information, and exposed content makes them unsuitable for sensitive messages and vulnerable to scuffing. To maximize impact, use eye-catching graphics, keep messages clear, and target your audience carefully. Even in the digital age, postcards offer a memorable touchpoint in the mail.

Bifold & Trifold Self-Mailers: The Compact and Versatile Format for Effective Communication

Building on the visibility of postcards, bifold and trifold self-mailers provide a compact yet spacious format. They offer more space for detailed information and multiple images and present a professional appearance, enhancing your message’s overall perception. These versatile formats are suitable for introductions, special offers, and more.

Despite their advantages, they may incur higher printing and postage costs than postcards and risk being disregarded if not designed carefully. To make the most of these mailers, create a visually appealing design, use the extra space effectively, and include a compelling reason for recipients to open and engage.

Dimensional Mail: The Attention-Grabber

Dimensional mailers take engagement to the next level with their 3D shapes, sizes, and textures. They stand out in the mailbox and often enhance the recipient’s view of your brand due to their perceived value. Features like pop-ups, foldouts, or hidden items create a memorable experience and encourage recipients to spend more time with the mailer.

However, dimensional mailers come with a few drawbacks: they are costly to produce and ship, and their design and production can be complex and time-consuming. To maximize impact, use dimensional mailers for high-value targets or special campaigns, ensure durability, and personalize content to boost engagement.

Uncommon Formats: The Creative and Eye-catching Options

Iron Cross

Iron cross mailers are known for their intricate fold-out design, which offers a large canvas for detailed information and visuals. Their interactive unfolding process engages recipients and enhances recall. However, the complexity of this format can lead to higher production costs and potential damage during transit. Careful design, durable materials, and special handling are crucial to maximize its impact.

Roll-Up Mailers

Roll-up mailers stand out due to their novelty and interactive experience. Like iron cross formats, recipients must unroll the mail piece, which can captivate their attention and increase engagement. Despite their appeal, roll-ups present production challenges and can be costly to produce. Additionally, they may require special handling or packaging, which can increase mailing costs. To ensure effectiveness, design the roll-up for easy handling and readability, use high-quality materials, and consider testing the format with a smaller audience before a full rollout.

Additional Options

For even more creative formats, consider options like pop-ups, sliders, and rotation-type mailers. These can create a dramatic “WOW” factor and leave a lasting impression. While these innovative formats can enhance branding and visibility, they often come with higher costs and production complexity, making them best suited for special campaigns.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Direct Mail Format

Choosing the right direct mail format depends on several factors, including your budget, the complexity of your message, the target audience, and the campaign’s objective. Here are some key considerations:

• Budget: Ensure that the cost of production and mailing fits within your budget. As noted, postcards are more cost-effective, while dimensional mailers are more expensive but offer a higher impact. Additionally, consider the cost of personalization and any special printing techniques you might want to employ. Bulk mail discounts and potential savings on postage should also be factored in.
• Message Complexity: If your message is simple and direct, a postcard might suffice. For more detailed information, consider bifold/trifold self-mailers or even more elaborate formats like the Iron Cross. The format should support the clarity and effectiveness of your message delivery.
• Audience: Tailor the format to your audience’s preferences and behaviors. High-value targets might appreciate the novelty of dimensional mailers, while a broader audience might respond well to postcards.
• Timing: Consider the timing of your campaign. Certain formats may take longer to produce and deliver. Plan ahead to ensure your direct mail reaches recipients at the optimal time for maximum impact. Seasonal factors and industry-specific timings, such as the fiscal year-end for business audiences, should also be considered.
• Campaign Objective: Align the format with your campaign’s goal. If brand recall is crucial, an interactive format like a roll-up might be ideal. For special offers, self-mailers could be more appropriate. Your format should facilitate the desired action, whether it’s visiting a website, redeeming a coupon, or attending an event.

Final Thoughts

The evolution of direct mail from simple letters to innovative formats like postcards, dimensional mail, and bifold/trifold self-mailers has transformed how marketers engage with audiences. Each format offers unique benefits, from the cost-effective visibility of postcards to the high-impact, tactile experience of dimensional mailers and the versatile design options of self-mailers. Choosing the right format can significantly enhance your campaign’s effectiveness, capture attention, and drive higher engagement and conversions. By leveraging these creative options, your brand can stand out in a crowded market and achieve better results.

Ready to take your marketing campaigns to the next level? Let us help you design and execute a campaign that captures attention and drives results. Contact the experts at Strata to get started today.

A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Options

When it comes to performance-driven direct mail, understanding the nuances of postage is essential for success and optimized ROI. From marketing mail to first class postage and everything in between, there are numerous postage options to consider.

So, whether you’re a novice getting ready to launch your first direct mail campaign or seeking confirmation on your current choices, this blog will help demystify the various types of postage and enhance your postage savings and optimization.

Defining the Different Types of Postage

When it comes to direct mail, there are two main postage types that require consideration: marketing mail and first-class mail.

Marketing mail is commonly used for bulk mailings of advertising materials, giving businesses and organizations a way to send non-urgent, promotional, and informational materials to a large audience at discounted rates.

With that in mind, it’s important to remember that marketing mail consists of two primary types: non-profit mail and standard mail. Non-profit mail is used by organizations holding tax-exempt status like charities, religious groups, and educational institutions, aiming to raise awareness, garner support, or advocate for a cause. In contrast, standard marketing mail refers to promotional material sent by other businesses to potential customers, often highlighting products, services, or special offers to drive sales and foster brand loyalty.

First-class mail, on the other hand, offers expedited delivery for letters and postcards, with a discounted option called presort first-class that streamlines processing by bundling first-class mail by zip code, ensuring prompt delivery without compromising on quality.

Understanding Timelines and Strategies

Understanding timelines and predicting in-home dates is crucial for direct mail campaigns. For example, if you’re sending postcards with coupons or letters with urgent announcements, opting for first-class postage ensures prompt delivery, capturing your audience’s attention when it matters most.

General timelines to keep in mind when selecting postage types include:

• Standard Marketing Mail: 5-14 business days
• Non-Profit Marketing Mail: up to 20 business days
• First Class Mail (including presort first class): 3-5 business days

However, it’s important to remember that packages take priority over letters, especially during peak seasons, where ideal in-home dates significantly affect campaign effectiveness. As a rule of thumb, starting November 1st, switching to first-class postage is advisable to ensure timely delivery, while tax season represents another busy period requiring careful consideration of postage options.

Postage Pricing Considerations

While direct mail is a powerful marketing tool, we know postage costs can be substantial. Selecting the correct postage and working with a direct mail partner that uses proven strategies like saturation, trucking, and co-mingling to lower postage costs are imperative, regardless of your marketing budget size.

Standard marketing mail typically costs $0.41 per piece for letters (prior to potential discounts), with non-profit organizations potentially benefiting from rates as low as $0.23 per piece (prior to potential discounts), provided they have a corresponding classification number registered with the post office.

In the realm of first-class mail, various postage options entail different pricing structures. Presort first class typically costs $0.62 per piece, but to qualify for this discounted rate, all print components such as mailing addresses and barcodes must be properly printed on the piece. Mail pieces using meter postage, which involves printing and timestamping the postage using a postage meter, incur a cost of $0.69 per piece. Conversely, first class mail with a stamp or indicia—a printed marking indicating prepaid postage—costs $0.73 per piece. 

Finally, first-class postcards that are 6”x9” or smaller mail at a lower rate of $0.41 per piece, making it a cost-effective, yet still impactful alternative.

Important Requirements to Keep in Mind

Each type of mail carries specific guidelines for postage requirements.

To qualify for marketing mail postage rates, USPS mandates a minimum of 200 pieces, though aiming for 250 allows for addressing inaccuracies and duplicates. Additionally, each piece can weigh up to three ounces before added postage fees are incurred.

For non-profit organizations, obtaining non-profit postage pricing needs registration and acquisition of a corresponding classification code from the postal service.

Finally, first-class presort pricing requires a minimum of 500 pieces, although we recommend 550 to accommodate inaccuracies, with each piece allowed to weigh up to three and a half ounces before incurring added fees.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of postage and cost-saving strategies can make or break your direct mail campaigns. By understanding the nuances of each postage choice and collaborating with direct mail experts like Strata to implement strategic approaches to timing and cost management, you can unlock the full potential of your campaigns and achieve impactful, performance-driven results.

Looking to strategize your next direct mail campaign and select postage options that work best with your goals? Contact us today to connect with an expert.

Say Goodbye to Duplicates and Hello to Increased Campaign Success

As marketers, we do everything we can to streamline our campaigns to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. In the never-ending quest for peak performance, one of the most consistent frustrations we deal with is data quality.

We all know bad data is frustrating to deal with, but beyond that, the reality is that bad data represents wasted effort, and wasted effort represents a loss of money.

We have access to a ridiculous amount of data, and in many ways, that’s a good thing — more data translates to more targets, a better understanding of those targets, and more avenues by which we can interact with them.

The problem is that all data is not created equal. In addition to generally corrupt data, duplicate data is prevalent, including name and address, household, and family (if multiple families live at the same address). 

So, how do we ensure that in a world of abundance, we’re separating the wheat from the chaff?

Step 1: Educate Yourself with Regulative Processes

It’s worth doing some exploring and familiarizing yourself with postal address regulations and how they affect your deliverability rates. Luckily there are numerous services and mail management software that can help you through this.

For example, Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) is a USPS developed software that ensures mailing addresses are complete and accurate. In other words, it determines if an address actually exists. CASS also standardizes an address into a format the USPS prefers, which is an invaluable tool for creating easily comparable data points when checking for duplicates.

Another great resource is the National Change of Address (NCOA) registry. The NCOA is a dataset of permanent address changes filed by individuals, families and businesses, and can be important for weeding out which address to keep — and which to toss — in your datasets containing multiple addresses for the same customer.

Step 2: Double Check Mail List Data for Common Errors — By Hand

While it’s easy to be lulled into the convenient trap of relying too heavily on software solutions, it’s important to comb through your data — yes, manually — for common errors. Even the most advanced mail management software still requires human interaction and understanding for optimal outcomes.

How? It’s not uncommon for things like commas, missing spaces, or data simply entered in the wrong field to throw CASS off. Simple mistakes can cost you big when it comes to getting rid of duplicate data sets.

Once you’ve used software to get your data into a great starting point, it’s important to remember that that’s all it is — a great starting point. It’s up to you to do the manual work and ensure the data is uncorrupted beyond that.

Step 3: Remove Excess Info from Your Files

Since we’re solely talking about mailing, it’s important to remove as many variables as you can from your mailing lists, and that means dumping the excess information.

This excess information includes things like email addresses, phone numbers, revenue, years in business, etc., all of which aren’t pertinent to your direct mail vendor.

In short, avoid the clutter and dump the details for your mailings. Keep it simple and save that info for later.

Step 4: Choose Your Direct Mail Vendor Carefully

Much like data sets, not all vendors are created equal, and some will prove to be nightmares to work with. This speaks for itself. You want to consider attributes like experience, referrals, and knowledge of the postal regulations.

A good tip? Make sure you’re working with a vendor who proactively takes initiative when it comes to cleaning lists.

Step 5: Enjoy A Job Well Done

Cleaning and getting rid of the duplicates in your mailing list can be a process, but one that is well worth the effort. When it comes to direct mail campaigns, remember: the better the data you put in, the better the data you get out.

Need a hand with your direct mail marketing? We have the knowledge and experience to help you every step of the way. Contact us to see how we can help you design and execute and effective direct mail program.