Avoid losing money, time on wrongly addressed mailers
Direct mail campaigns using fancy fonts can attract interest to an envelope or mailer, but the USPS' automated sorters may have a difficult time reading the intricate fonts when sending bulk business mail. Not only would a delay mean missing targeted mail arrival dates, but it could also mean applying additional fees to the postage.
The USPS offers some addressing guidelines for businesses that are planning direct mail campaigns to ensure cost-efficient, prompt arrivals. These tips include:
- Using all capital letters and no punctuation in at least a 10-point type size
- One space between city and state; two spaces between state and ZIP code
- Simple font types, left justified
- No reverse type (white printing on black background)
- At least an 1/8-inch clearance around addresses that appear in an envelope window
- Non-crooked labels, as mail equipment may have difficulty reading slanted addresses
- Put suite or apartment numbers on the same line as delivery address or the line above the delivery address
- Double-check directionals like "north" and "east," as a missing or incorrect directional can delay mail
- Mail that is square or too rigid is considered "nonmachinable" and will be charged an extra fee
The USPS also notes that more than 45 million Americans change addresses each year. Address verification software can ensure the correct mail arrives to the intended customers and less money is wasted on outdated address information.