Note: Are you looking for information on the 2010 postage rate?

###

There will be a postage rate increase on all classes of mail effective May 11th, 2009.

The increase is actually at or under the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

Here’s a quick recap of the new rates:

Local Entry – 5 digit automated letter: $0.233
Local Entry – Non-profit 5 digit auto letter: $0.132

Local Entry – 5 digit automated flat: $0.346
Local Entry – 5 digit Non-profit auto flat: $0.212

You can also download the 41-page USPS price list here:

http://www.ballantine.com/2009-postage.pdf

If you have ANY postal questions, please contact Matt:
matt (at) ballantine.com

###

Welcome back. Have you subscribed to our blog's email updates yet? Remember - you also get the free whitepaper pictured left on cutting direct mail costs.

Hi everyone, we hope you find this new video very helpful.

Commingling is getting more popular due to the potential postage savings and quicker delivery it offers. In fact, we’ve noticed an increase in traffic to this blog from people using commingling-related search terms.

As a result, we created this 5-minute video to give you the information you might need…this is in addition to our previous commingling post.

What postage rate can we offer you? Email me at ryan (at) ballantine.com and please indicate if you’re for-profit or non-profit. Thanks!

What is commingling and why should you be using it?

Commingling has been around for many years and until now was mainly used as a way for smaller mailers to presort their mail. The reason for its increased popularity is due to the recent rate changes for BMC and SCF discounts. As a result, it’s now more financially attractive for most mailers to commingle their mail.

So to define commingling: it’s the act of taking your direct mail and sorting it with other company’s mail to qualify for postage discounts.

In theory, this can apply to nationwide mailings of all sizes, but usually really large mailings (1 million plus pieces) already have a significant portion of their mailing going to the BMC or SCF level. The portion that isn’t, however, would benefit from commingling.

The way it works is this:

You take your mail file and sort it into zip code sequence. Then the mail house will image only the bar code and address information on to the addressing panel. There is no Optional Endorsement Line imaged.

Your vendor will then pick up the mail and put it on sorting equipment that takes each individual piece of mail and sorts it to either the BMC or SCF level based on what they’ve received from other mailers. As a result, this gives you deeper postal penetration and discounts.

Furthermore, here’s a PDF that gives you some visual examples of how commingling affects delivery.

Download the PDF Here.

And we also recommend you watch our 5-minute commingling video.

If you aren’t currently commingling your mail, it’s definitely worth speaking with your print and mail vendor because the postage savings can be substantial.

If you’d like to speak to us about what your postage rate would be using commingling, please contact Matt Cote: 973-305-1500 x207 or matt (at) ballantine.com.