In two of our previous blogs we spoke of how you can save postage and the specifications required for postcards.

So after much consideration you have decided to take the leap and produce a postcard mailing. Several hours have been spent on producing a piece that gets your message out. The only issue is, it will not fit in the maximum size of 4 ¼” x 6” required by the post office. Do you opt to remove some of your message and mail the smaller postcard? Not necessarily. There is an alternate solution that still has a cost savings, Jumbo Postcards!

The USPS will accept Jumbo Postcards, the only condition is they mail at letter rates. The minimum jumbo postcard is 4 5/16” by 6 1/16” in size and a maximum of  6 1/8” by 11 ½ ”. Even though you are paying letter rates for the jumbo postcard  you are still saving on the cost of the envelopes. Get creative! Use that extra room to grab the attention of your audience.

History Fact: Did you know that Post Master John Creswell, introduced the first pre-stamped “penny postcards” in 1873?  These first postcards depicted the Interstate Industrial Exposition that took place in Chicago.

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The USPS recently filed a request to have a Postage Rate increase beginning on January 2, 2011. The USPS is seeking an average 5.6 % price increase for its products, which include First Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Special Services (i.e. certified mail etc).

Some of the recommended changes would increase the price of a First Class Letter Mail stamp two cents, from the current .44 to .46 cents. It is also proposed that Postcards would see an increase of two cents, making the full rate charge of .30 cents per piece.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has 90 days to issue its decision on the proposal, if approved, the changes would raise about $2.3 billion for the first nine months of 2011.This would mark the first price increase for market dominant products in almost two years.

Other actions outlined in the proposal are changes in delivery frequency, restructuring prepayments of retiree health benefits, and expanding access to products and services to places more convenient to customers. Another new item will be a new Holiday Evergreen Forever Stamp, which can be used the same way the current Forever stamp is being used. Once you buy it, it’s good forever even if postage goes up on first class stamps.

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Postcards are a great way to get your message out quickly for a relatively low cost. As of May 11, 2009, a full rate postcard costs $0.28 to mail in the U.S. There are several types of design options but like any mailing the USPS has specific requirements.

Where do you begin when creating a postcard? Determine the size you will need to convey your message. Postcards require a minimum of 3 ¼” by 5” in size and a maximum of 4 ¼” by 6”. They can be printed as a single card or as a double postcard connected by a perforation. The double postcard must have a Courtesy Reply or a Business Reply  return piece that is included as part of the artwork. An Address Confirmation postcards typically follows this format. The double postcards are 1^st folded and tabbed before mailing out at postcard rates.

Another thing to consider when creating your next postcard project is Reflectance Readability. If your plan is to mail on colored stock, the piece must be designed to handle reflectance.  The best choices are to use are white or pastel colors. Bright and Dark Colors will not allow the USPS machinery to read the address as it processes through the system . If your plan is to have a 4-color postcard it is recommended that you leave at least 4 inches of white space free of any background pattern for barcode clearance.

In summary, Key points to remember:

·        Size

·        Reflectance

·        Barcode Clearance

·        Paper Weight (.007 or .009 thickness- Depending on stock choice)

Coming up next….. Ways to Save and Increase Value- Postcards Part III

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

You may be asking,  “How do I get my message out to the world, but still save on cost?” The answer you seek is Postcards. Postcards provide a “Bigger Bang for your Buck” and are the most cost effective way to disseminate information. Did you know that postcards have been said to out perform most means of direct communication mediums, not excluding radio, television, and print?

Some of the benefits of mailing a 1^st class postcard vs. a 1^st class letter are:

·        Postage Savings on average are $.16/ piece

·        Multiple Design Options

·        Eye Catching. Grabs receivers attention.

Postcards force brevity. As the designer you are going to keep it short, sweet and to the point. Therefore by default they are designed to be read. Did you ever discard a postcard without first skimming the details? You can’t do it!

 In our next blog we will discuss the multiple design options available for postcards.

Coming up next….. Ways to Save and Increase Value- Postcards Part II

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

What is Multi-Channel Communications?

It is the art of using several different types of tools to communicate branded messages. Most people consider Muti-Channel Communications just print and internet.

By today’s standards Multi-Channel Communications is comprised of:

·        E-Mail

·        Blogs

·        Web Pages

·        Widgets

·        SMS Texts

·        PURLs

·        Mobile Apps

·        Phone

·        TV

·        Radio

·        Print

·        Instant Messages

·        Podcasts

·        Viral Videos

·        Social Networking

Many businesses are struggling with how to speak with a single voice to their customers. The thing that you want to ensure is that the monthly conversation you are having with your customer is the same across all of the media you use to maintain their relationship with you.

Most people today are living in a multi-channel world and they are paying attention to the messages that are out there.  However, because of the number of communication tools are increasing daily, people are only remembering the ones that have a consistent message with relevant content. Creating an integrated customer communication strategy that leverages the power of applicable channels for your business and uses a single, campaign managed front end can ensure consistency of message and ultimately reduce costs of communicating with each customer. It can also drive the value of each customer response up from the current baseline.

·     Print in the Mix posted that, Six out of 10 (61%) like to receive bills and invoices by physical mail, and nearly as many (59%) prefer to receive financial and bank statements in print, as compared to email.

AXIS knows the importance of getting your message across and we offer several options such as Email Collection & Delivery, Imbedded Onserts with PURLs, Online Payment and Presentment, and your Print Communications.

To learn more about AXIS solutions, call 800-852-3174 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Account Management team members, or fill out our contact form today.

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

As many of you have heard, the USPS is exploring the possibility of cancelling all Saturday mail deliveries. As of April 1^st, The Postal Regulatory Commission is currently reviewing the USPS’ request. The USPS reports that the “Five-day delivery is one of the fundamental changes that will help the USPS compete more effectively in the marketplace and better respond to changing customer needs”.

The five-day delivery report issued by the USPS notes, “ Ten years ago, the average household received five pieces of mail every day. Today, it receives four pieces and 2020, that number will fall to three. Reducing street delivery to five days will help rebalance postal operations with the needs of today’s customers. It also will save about $3 billion a year, including reductions in energy use and carbon emissions.”

Some additional notes about this proposal:

·        Post Offices will still be open on Saturday’s

·        Access to PO boxes will continue

·        Express mail will still be delivered seven days a week

·        All incoming mail to the USPS will still be processed

·        Final approval must be received from Congress, if approved it will be implemented in 2011

So what does this mean to you as an individual? How does this effect your business ? Your opinions matter, We would love to hear from you! Send us your comments or reach out to PCC Insider at pccinsider@usps.gov .

In a time when maintaining cash flow is more important than ever, AXIS Online Presentment and Payment along with our Print & Mail Delivery makes it faster and easier for customers to pay their bills, accelerating your cash flow.

To learn more about AXIS Online Presentment, Payment, Print & Mail solutions, call 800-852-3174 to speak with one of our knowledgeable Account Management team members, or fill out our contact form today.

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

Many businesses don’t fully understand the benefits of outsourcing and ways to save with outsourcing. By outsourcing your invoices, mass emails, online documents and marketing materials, you have the opportunity to lower operating costs. Outsourcing can help convert operating fixed costs into variable costs by eliminating the need for large equipment as well as labor.

Hiring and training staff for projects can get costly and expensive. By outsourcing, you can focus your labor where you need to thus allowing your company to focus on other revenue generating projects.

Stick to what you do best, outsource the rest. You can decrease turnaround time and have greater flexibility by outsourcing your data solutions to a data firm such as AXIS Data Solutions. We are a full service data firm that offers businesses the opportunity to outsource their print & mail, mass emails, online documents, and more. For more information about our many services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling 800-852-3174.

Whether you are in the business that requires you to invoice clients, send mass emails, present your documents online, or delivering marketing materials to your clients, chances are you have contemplated, Should I accomplish this “In-House” or “Outsource”?

If you are considering this process you can review the telltale signs and determine what is the best pathway for your company.

Things to consider:

·        Amount of time dedicated to the back end of your business.

·        Your current and future needs.

·        A practical look at the ability to continue to do these in house in the future.  

Now ask yourself,  Would  your company have the budget and resources to keep pace with the future? Does your staff have comparable experience and processing skills equivalent to that of a outsourcing company? If you answered “no” to either question it may be time to find an outsourcing partner.

Outsourcing if done correctly can bring great rewards. Such as:

·        Lowered operating costs

·        Improved efficiency

·        Increased IT resources

·        Understanding mail system & how it works

·        Higher quality documents

·        Postage Savings

Keep in mind it is a process and choosing the right company can make it a smooth and successful transition that provides these benefits while still ensuring a sense of control. Having a dependable partner allows you to concentrate on improving and expanding your business in other ways. Finding the right partner to manage your needs could turn out to be one of the smartest business moves you will ever make.

Coming up next….. More Ways to Save and Increase Value

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

The USPS implemented new rules for Move Update back on November 23, 2008. It requires that all mailers not only First Class, but also Standard Class, update their addresses through an approved “Move Update” process.

Beginning January 4^th, 2010 the USPS will be activating the additional postage assessments associated with Move Update compliance.

What does this mean for you?

A 1^st class or Standard class mailing with a 30% or More error rate for Move Update will NOT pass the USPS Move Update verification process and will be penalized. For both Standard and First Class mailings, an additional $0.07 per piece will be charged to the portion of the mailing that did not meet the Move Update Compliance.  Any mailings that fail will be placed on hold for review and additional funds received by the USPS.

Move Update Compliance is achieved by:

·        Running your entire databases addresses through a Move Update process a minimum of every 95 days prior to the date of the mailing. (e.g. NCOA- National Change of Address)

·        Updating your database with the moved address information supplied.

The Postal Service does reserve the right to use audits or other procedures to verify that any mailing entered at the presorted rates actually complied with the Move Update requirement.

If you would like more information on how we can help you achieve Move Update compliance, please Contact AXIS to speak to a qualified representative.

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.

Seasons Greetings

from AXIS Data Solutions.

Wishing you warm thoughts for happiness in the coming year.

These are our thoughts.  Share what you think.  Send us an email with any questions you may have.  Let’s learn and grow together. AXIS Data Solutions delivers unsurpassed excellence in data programming, laser printing, mail processing & e-business solutions.