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| FAQs | Glossary | Art File Tips | Direct Mail Tips |
A.M. Mailing Services, LLC offers customer assistance daily with mailing, direct marketing, printing and postal regulation questions. We are pleased to share the most frequently asked questions and their answers to help you with your direct mail marketing efforts.
To assist you in finding the answers that you are looking for we have categorized the FAQ’s. Please select from the following options.
Data Processing
Postal Regulations
Mail piece design
Postage
Mailing Lists
If you have additonal mailing questions and are unable to find the answer, please e-mail info@ammailing.com or call 608-884-3452.
Data Processing FAQ’s
| Question? What is NCOA? |
| Answer: National Change of Address (NCOA) is a consolidated file of move information that on average contains more than 118 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records filed with the U.S. Postal Service. Each record contains the relocating Postal customer's name along with an Old and New address. The Old address is the one compared to the NCOA customers list for matching purposes and the New address is the one returned, if a match is made, to the customer. These records are retained on the file for a three-year period from the move-effective date. |
| Question? What is CASS Certification and why do I need it? |
| Answer:CASS is the post office acronym for the Coding Accuracy Support System. A full description of CASS certification can be found on our data processing page. |
| Question? How should I provide my mailing list to the lettershop? |
| Answer: At A.M. Mailing we can accept files on 3.5” disk, Zip disk, CD Rom, Mag Tape or via e-mail. The list should be in one of the following formats: ASCII Delimited, ASCII Fixed field or Dbase. top |
Postal Regulation FAQ’s |
| Question? Do mini catalogs require tab sealing? |
| Answer: Yes...in fact they require two tabs. A catalog or booklet can be designed to qualify for letter size mail discounts (maximum height 6-1/8” and maximum width of 11.5”). It must be tab sealed twice along the upper edge. |
| Question? What is the maximum size I can use for a postcard ? |
| Answer: The maximum size for a First Class postcard is 4.25" x 6". The minimum is 3.5"x5" |
| Question? Do I need a return address with my company permit ? |
| Answer: Yes, Postal regulations require that all company permits have the company return address. top |
Mail Piece Design FAQ’s |
| Question? What is the best way to design a self mailer from an 8.5 x 11 sheet? |
| Answer: The half fold or letter fold are the two easiest ways of designing this size self mailer. The tricky part is in placing the mailing panel so that the folded edge is at the bottom of the address. You always want the opening of a self mailer at the top of the address panel and above the postal permit. This design qualifies for single tab sealing and automated postal rates. If you place the opening at the bottom of the piece it will require two tabs to qualify for automated rates. |
| Question? What are the correct dimensions for letter size mail ? |
| Answer: The maximum size of the mailpiece is 6-1/8” high and 11-1/2” wide. The minimum size is 3-1/2” high and 5” wide. The peice must also be rectangular in shape and fit withing the USPS piece aspect ratio (divide length by height equal between 1.3 and 2.5) |
| Question? What type of envelope should I use for a large volume mailing? |
| Answer: If the materials are going to be machine inserted, the envelope must be a side open envelope. This is a style of envelope with the opening on the longer side. All commercial and booklet envelopes are side opens. All othe renvelopes require hand inserting. |
| Question? What size envelopes should I use for my mailing? |
Answer: The outer envelope must be a half inch wider and a quarter inch taller than the largest insert.The reply envelope should be a quarter inch wider than the reply insert. |
| Question?How much space should I allow for the address and barcode on my mailpiece? |
| Answer: Ideally, you should leave clear area for addressing that is 1-1/2” high by 4” wide. If that much space is not possible have the mailpiece approved by your lettershop prior to printing. top |
Postage FAQ’s |
| Question? When do I need to pay postage? |
| Answer: A.M. Mailing, like most mailers, requires the payment of postage before the mail enters the post office. Because of the large volume of mail pieces and a great number of individual mailings each day, we ask to receive postage 48 hours prior to the mail date. |
| Question? What is A.M. Mailings Permit number? |
| Answer: A.M. Mailing Services has 3 permits.One in Edgerton, WI, one in Madison, WI and one in Milwaukee, WI. Take a look at our indicia page to find the appropriate permit imprint for your mailing. |
| Question? Do I get postage statements when I commingle? |
| Answer: No, there is not a single statement generated for each customer because your mail is mixed in with millions of other pieces of mail. A.M. does give you a quantity and commingling cost per piece on your invoice that includes postage and processing at the time of your estimate or order. top |
Mailing List FAQ’s |
| Question?What is a nixie? |
| Answer: A nixie is a piece of mail that has been returned to the mailer by the Postal Service. The reason for return is an incorrect or undeliverable, name and address. |
| Question?What is an Nth select? |
| Answer: This is a method used to take a random section of a total list. A fractional unit is repeated to pull a sampling of the list. It could be used to test mail to a “10th” of a list for example.. |
| Question?What is a decoy? |
| Answer: This is a unique name that is inserted into a mailing list to verify usage. It is used frequently on purchased lists that are sold for one time use only. |
| Question?What is an SIC code? |
| Answer: This is the acronym for Standard Industrial Codes. It is a numerical numbering system that identifies business types within the national database. For example, SIC 8611 identifies Associations. top |
If you have additional mailing questions and are unable to find the answer, please e-mail info@ammailing.com or call 608-884-3452.
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