FSM Reference Material_MasterJan9_2012.xls Must be Friday the 13th. Today (after a very long morning), we saved a client from going over budget by $1400 when we caught issues with the piece that was about to go to print. Creating direct mail pieces is not easy. Not only is there message and design, but we must ensure these awesome creations meet the post office requirements.

The original piece was designed to measure 11.5″x6″. This would mail at “letter rate” if it were a postcard, but since it was a folded piece, the letter-rate size maximum is 10.5″x6″. Big postage difference.

I am not here to knock the US Postal Service. In general, my experiences have been very good ones, but good thing we had all the documentation to avoid an ugly surprise (see attached document).

It is still worth it: Although some would say that print is dead, I would say they are dead-wrong. Print is very much alive and we still very much need the Postal service. Just like some get their info from Facebook, Reddit, or other online sites, some of us still like opening a newspaper or holding onto a brochure or direct-mail offer. Direct mail works! (and it works even better when combined with online support information…).

Read this reference publication before planning your next direct mail piece.