Blog Entries
Problem Solvers By Design
"In a world where nothing goes perfectly", the willingness to see a problem through, to the end solution, is the difference between success and failure.
Sheer Print Solutions represents a unique combination of technical expertise, personalized customer service, and corporate understanding, that illustrates to our clients they are working with true professionals in their field.
Our latest example we can shed light on is a project quoted for one of NYC “A” list ad agencies. Being priced was a Postcard Guidebook Multi Unit Kit. 20,000 units. This kit would contain: 2- Intro and Closing page post cards, 40-Photo post cards, 13-divider pages and a folded map. All items would nest into a custom make outer jacket, shrink-wrap and mail.
The problem: All papers requested were very expensive premium papers that accounted for 60% of the projects cost. Sheer Print Solutions, it’s sales & production team met on the matter and was able to save the client’s budget and pitched product by recommending more affordable choices, while preserving the initial feel and look of the project.
A full production model comp was produced, presented and approved. Total savings to the client: $33,150.
We are a place where professionals come to produce the projects they have envisioned. Our commitment to quality, budget guidelines and costumer service our only a few of the reasons you should consider pricing your next project with us.
Please give us a call to discuss your next hi exposure project and we’ll make all the steps involved producing an exceptional project very easy.
Spend Your Money Wisely, Part 2
Postal Rates, Envelopes & Packages
When planning a mailing, be it a postcard or a letter in an envelope, the phrase “Spend your money wisely” should ring out loud and clear. Spending your money wisely can mean picking the right size mailing to take advantage of the best postal rates. Letters or actually envelopes, can affect your mailing rates.
We talked about aspect ratio in our last article (length divided by width) for a mailing piece. This applies to envelopes as well as postcards (the aspect ratio still must fall between 1.3 and 2.5).
Standard envelopes: (A2, A6, A7, A8, A10, #9 6 1⁄4, 6 3/4 and #10) will fit into the USPS letter category without a problem. It is the specialty envelope that can create a problem. As an example, a square envelope will fail the aspect ratio test, so it will have a non-machinable surcharge. So watch the aspect ratio before you spec an envelope.
Colors: can create a problem as well. Remember the USPS uses an automated system to read addresses, if there isn’t enough contrast or too much black in the color of the envelope, it may fail a reflectance test and then be given a non-machinable surcharge. If you are not sure, get a sample and talk to us prior to designing your piece. We can send the envelope down to the USPS and they can test the color to make sure it is readable by the scanners.
Weight: With envelopes weight can be an issue. In order to qualify for the letter rate, it must weigh 1 ounce or less and have a maximum thick ness of a quarter inch. Although paper is relatively light, it can reach a weight of 1 ounce quickly. If you aren’t sure, we can put together a dummy and weigh it for you. Although it won’t have the weight of the ink, it will give you a ballpark idea before you get too far into your project.
Scanner Read Area: The USPS has specifications on where you can print on an envelope and where you can’t. The 4.75 inch width and 2.75 height area (as measured from the bottom right corner of the front of the envelope) is a no graphics print zone.
If you do a lot of letter mailings, the USPS has a template with all of their rules and specifications imprinted on it. This is available for free, just go to your local post office and ask for them. Some of the smaller branches may not have them, but should be able to get them or direct you to where you can pick them up. They are a great help in laying out your envelopes and designs.
If you ever have any questions about what is acceptable and what is not, please do not hesitate to contact your salesperson.
Spend Your Money Wisely, Part 1
Postal Requirements, Rates & Direct Mail
“Spend your money wisely” is a saying that has been around for quite a while. When planning a mailing, be it a postcard or a letter in an envelope, that phrase should ring out loud and clear. Spending your money wisely can mean picking the right size mailing to take advantage of the best postal rates.
Let’s look at Postcards, but first let’s qualify what a postcard is.
Typically, when you get “marketing” postcards in the mail they are fairly large and designed to get your attention. Then there is the postcard you get from your Aunt & Uncle when they are on vacation. These are very different in size and both have different postal rates.
Postcard Rate: A postcard, as defined by the USPS (the one your Aunt and Uncle sent you), can have a maximum height of 4.25 inches and a maximum width of 5 inches. BUT it must also have an aspect ratio (length divided by height) of between 1.3 and 2.5. If your piece qualifies then you can get the Postcard Rate of 28 cents per piece.
Letter Rate: Larger marketing postcards fall under the USPS defined Letter Rate. For your letter sized postcard to qualify it must not exceed a maximum height of 6.125 inches or a maximum length of 11.5 inches. AND must still fit an aspect ratio of 1.3 to 2.5. If the piece qualifies then you can get a rate of 44 cents per piece.
With both the Postcard and Letter rate you can design your piece to the maximum sizes, it will fail the aspect ratio, but it is still acceptable. There will be an additional charge for failing the aspect ratio test, which they call a non-machinable surcharge.
Address panel size: There must be sufficient area for the address, barcode and automation information or you can incur a non-machinable surcharge.
If your address area is at least 4 inches wide by 2.75 inches tall, then you will be fine. There are occasions when that area can be smaller, but we suggest you check with us before you make that assumption.
Color: The USPS uses a scanner to read addresses, if there isn’t enough contrast between the address and the background color the scanner will not be able to read the address. If this is the case, you will be charged a non-machinable surcharge. If you want to use a background color, we suggest that you test it first. Contact us and we can send a sample to the USPS and get approval before you get too far with your design.
Before you design a postcard do a little math and check your color and panel size so you can spend your money wisely. Our next article on this subject will talk about envelopes and mailing rates.
