Money-Saving Tips on Creative, Mailshops, Printing, Mailing Lists, and Data Management

Creative

1. Make sure that your response form fits in the return envelope. A form that doesn't fit easily can depress response.

2. Be sure to include your business address on your response form or brochure. It seems obvious, but this is commonly overlooked.

3. Make sure the graphics on your carrier don't interfere with the space for barcodes, meter marks, FIMs, etc.

4. If you're using a window envelope, account for shifting in the mail to be sure your entire label will show through the window.

5. Order frequently-used components such as carriers and BREs in a six-month supply, to get large quantity discounts from your printer.

6. Creative use of screens can create the same effect as a two-color print job, at much lower cost.

7. Check with your printer to see if you can gang-run items like bookmarks, BRCs and calendars with others who are printing similar pieces, to get a break in price.

Mailshop

1. When designing automation compatible lettersized selfmailers, design with the folded edge on the bottom. This will decrease the number of tabs required to receive maximum postal discounts, and save you tabbing costs.

2. Use DM Group's permit number for your bulk mailings, and this will save you the bulk mailing permit fees.

3. Postcard sized automation mailings are CHEAPER to mail first class than at the standard mail A automation rate.

4. Scitexting your personalized components at 240x480 d.p.i. can save you up to 50% off comparable lasering costs.

5. Allow us to determine if your mailing can benefit from DBMC or DSCF discounts. Many nationwide mailings of 150,000 receive substantial postal savings.

Printing

1. Ask if your printer has any odd-lot paper left over from previous jobs. You can mix papers without being obvious to the recipient.

2. Do not tint your paper if you are laser printing. It will curl in the laser.

3. When lasering you should use 60 lb. paper unless your particular mailing requires a different stock. 60 lb. paper will laser better and faster.

4. You may consider reducing or enlarging your art to utilize the maximum amount of print area on the paper. Less paper wasted could result in savings for you. Ask your printer if they can give you a better price if you design your art to print multiples per page.

5. Ask your printer if you can "gang-run" your jobs if the jobs are similar in size and quantity, and use the same paper weight and color.

6. Plate changes are costly. If you are using a code, try to use a rub-off coding system. Example: 1234 - rub off the 4 on the next version to make 123, etc.

7. AA's (author's alterations) are costly. Make all copy changes or adjustments in layout before sending art out to film.

8. Bluelines need to be checked carefully for color breaks, inks, folds, images, original placement, quantity to print, and delivery point.

9. It is very important to send a purchase order along with your art, spelling out all the details of the job. Include paper stock, weight, inks on front, inks on back, halftones, screens, size of actual piece, size when delivered, quantity, delivery point, date due, and billing information.

Mailing List

1. NCOA (National Change of Address): all of the lists which you are using for your mailing. This process standardizes all of the addresses so that they conform to U.S. Post Office guidelines. It also corrects the addresses of people who have moved. Using NCOA will ensure maximum deliverability.

2. MERGE/PURGE: If you are using a number of lists for your mailing, this process will eliminate and consolidate duplicates between the various lists so that each name receives only one package. This saves the cost of mailing two or more pieces to one person.

3. DMA PANDER FILE: The Direct Marketing Association maintains a list of people who do not want to receive Direct Mail. Passing the list or lists you are mailing against this file will eliminate these people from your mailing. When using Direct Mail it is of equal importance to know who NOT to mail to. Most computer service bureaus have a copy of this pander file.

4. HOUSE PANDER FILE: Along the same lines as the DMA Pander File, this is a file that you create from the names and addresses of people who have told you that they do not want to receive mail from you.

5. NET NAME ARRANGEMENTS: When using more than one or two lists, especially lists made up from similar sources, sometimes many names will appear on more than one list. If the number of repetitive names is around 25,000 or more, be sure to inquire about the availability of a net name arrangement. This allows you to pay full price for a mutually agreed percentage of the names received and only running charges on the balance. You will usually need computer verification of the percentage of the names mailed.

6. PRESORTING & BARCODING: 99% of all mailing lists are provided in Zip Code sequence. You can save money when using a large number of names by having the names further presorted and grouped by Bulk Mail Center, SCF, Zip + Four, Carrier Route, or Walk Sequence. How far you presort depends upon the quantity of names you are mailing and their geographic sed as $ per thousand names. Exceptions are small lists, usually under 3,000 names, which have a flat fee for the entire list. Most lists have a base price which is set by the list owner. Additional charges are added when you select only certain portions of a list.

Data Management

1. Keep lines of communication open. Constant feedback insures quality control throughout the whole job process.

2. Utilize electronic transfer. DM Group maintains a 24-hour bulletin board for data transfer. Call us before your first transfer so we can set up an individual account for your company. We also accept data via the internet. Files can be retrieved from e-mail attachments or from FTP sites. Electronic Transfers Save Time and Money!!

Article courtesy of www.dmgroup.com