Consumers seek solutions to reducing costs associated with postage rate hikes

Arlington, TX November 4, 2007—The direct mail services industry is making strides in adapting to new postal rates and regulations. Clients and vendors are working together to devise solutions to the challenges associated with postage rate increases faced by the many types of organizations which utilize direct and bulk mail. These solutions include rethinking graphic design, focusing on creating highly targeted mailing lists, and using full-service printing-and-mailing companies to save money and time.

Lisa Hoffman, Director of Mailing Services at PrintPlace, a fully automated online mail house, says that making simple design changes to direct mail pieces can significantly reduce postage rates, which can be prohibitively expensive to even large companies. “We recently saved a Fortune 500 company nearly $80,000 per year in postage by reformatting their Employee Benefits newsletters to folded booklets, which mail at reduced rates.” This type of solution is being used more frequently by all types of industries, including non-profit organizations. “PrintPlace is stepping up to the challenge of meeting our clients’ direct mail needs by working closely with them to optimize results in the most economical ways,” she went on to say.

Another way companies are saving money is by reducing costly mailing list errors. “List cleaning” or “list hygiene” is a method of removing bad addresses in mailing lists. Fewer bad addresses mean savings to every company. Furthermore, direct mail houses like PrintPlace are offering their clients the opportunity to create lists which are specifically targeted to demographics. Marketers can create direct mail lists based on geographical locations, gender, marital status, and any other number of pertinent factors.

Political candidates and parties can also benefit from direct mail services. Directly mailed postcards, brochures and booklets are a time-tested and effective way for campaigners to reach voters. The United States Postal Service charges Standard Rates for these customers, but treats the mailers as First Class instead of Standard if they are are appropriately postmarked.

Lastly, more and more consumers are utilizing turnkey online direct mail services like those offered by PrintPlace.com. By purchasing graphic design, printing, finishing and mailing services over the Internet, consumers can save time and costly shipping fees that will be incurred when these services and products are done by separate vendors.

PrintPlace.com has a user-friendly website which uses robust development technology for powerful and flexible ecommerce ordering. Their staff of customer service, color and printing experts is dedicated to helping consumers acquire the highest level of services and printed goods available through the internet.