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DIRECT MAIL IS OUR THING!
Getting started ...
Step 1...it’s up to you - Step 2...we review with you - Step
3...we put it in writing - Here's how
to start with us ...
Step 1
The first step you must take is to
communicate the approximate size of the mailing, the base construction of
the mail package and whether you want to furnish all materials, part of
the materials, or if you want to have the materials printed to your
specifications.
We will be happy to quote the project with production and
stationery items separate. If you have more than one mailing in mind over a
several month period, please let us know. This allows us to price more
competitively, and gives you the benefit of volume printing.
All the basic questions to enable a complete price quotation must be
anticipated. If you wish, pick up the telephone and we'll discuss the
information with you at area code
434-239-9248, email them
to us, or fax your
specs to 434-239-4110
Under normal circumstances, three weeks is the time allocated from
inception of a project, to it's delivery to the post office, inception
being the point of agreement with the client as to all specifications of
the package, and written agreement by a Job Authorization format.
Step 2
Preparatory planning prior to the three weeks is usually three to four
days. We operate from a backout schedule discussed with you on each
job. The actual day to day communication involving text approval/changes,
print bluelines, etc., is handled through a production coordinator in
conjunction with the client's project coordinator. Our coordinator is
assigned to a particular client, and remains the same on all future
projects.
All of your printing is approved by you BEFORE we press. All text setup
for letters, etc. is approved by you TWICE. Approval at initial setup and
AGAIN before we start production, you see
everything again, showing you a live merge of data and text. All of your
approvals and changes are maintained for reference, from project to
project.
It is felt that this is very important in maintaining continuity in the
working relationship. You must direct us as to paper and print
specifications, furnish camera ready art when available, letter text,
signature for application to letter, and mailing file information. If
there is a less expensive way to produce your mailing, we'll make that
suggestion. If you have an idea for a mailing and have been told..... "no
way!", let us hear about it. It probably CAN be done!
Step 3
If you can conceive the project, furnish the data, we can make it
happen. The methods of file/data transfer are diskettes, CD, FTP transfers,
or by email.
To price the services of mail production in general is difficult, due
to the variables involved. However, an approximate cost of a project can
be furnished in less than twenty-four hours, usually the same day, and we
can confirm total price in writing within forty-eight hours. The price of
the project quoted will be complete, varying only when you change
specifications or add an item after contract agreement.
Anatomy of Your Mailing
Your cost will be affected by the following six parts of a mailing.
The price quoted to you for a mailing will be a "Per Thousand"
price. With the count for a mailing static, increases in services,
materials or even printing will cause the "Per Thousand" price
to increase as well. When the count decreases, the price
will also fluctuate accordingly.
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1. Count
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This is the actual number of people that are in your mailing list file.
This figure is the multiplier for purchasing materials and for the printing
and production of your personalized pieces. The amount of postage necessary
for the package, and for the invoice of the package at the "Per Thousand"
price that is quoted, is based on this count.
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2. Materials
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The brand name, quality and weight of the paper that you choose for the
package can vary the cost of the package appreciably.
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3. Printing
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The printing available to you from
PMC
is of the highest quality, including
typesetting, graphic art work, and even color corrections.
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4. Mailshop
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This covers folding, inserting, application of the client's postage, bulking,
and post office delivery. Whether the package is one personalized piece, or
four personalized pieces - our quality control process of checking every
fifteenth piece for accuracy, insures a correct mailing. Undeliverable pieces
due to insufficient data on your file are returned to you by
PMC
for corrections to your file. You may also choose live stamps or metered postage for your
mailings. We can also get you a permit for a printed indicia, if you prefer.
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5. Services
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This area of cost includes the loading and conversion of the client's data
file, and segmentation of data, letter text setup, postal presorting,
splitting/genderizing, expansion of streets and punctuation, creation of Zip+4, gift
amount tables, multiple ask amounts, references to previous gift amounts (last,
largest, etc.), formatting of data for processing equipment, and the actual
document text setup and personalization.
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6. Postage
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This cost is controlled by the United States Postal Service. The classifications
of mailing and the manner in which the mailing is produced can offer great
savings in postage costs. Proper and efficient extension of a mail file to
Zip+4, coupled with postnet barcoding for full automation can greatly decrease
your postage cost.
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