Need help or have questions about mailing your direct mail materials? We have the answers and details you are looking for!
The United States Postal Service (USPS®) offers many options from which to choose including options that can help you reach hundreds to thousands of consumers, or even one or ten.
To select the best option for your mailing, it’s important to know the requirements and advantages of each option available to you. Yet, getting to know all the options for mailing your printed materials can take some time.
We think the best way to decide is to rely on experience and expertise. Both of which we have!
Plus, we work closely with the USPS® and can help you from beginning to end with your mailings.
So, let us help you make the best choice. Tell us who you want to mail to and the results you want to achieve. We will let you know your options and help you understand the cost-benefit analysis of each. In many instances, we will even provide our postal permits if needed for a seamless process.
Do you have an audience you already want to reach? Or are you looking to target a specific audience? What will your audience think of the mail they receive from you? What is the feeling you want your message to convey to your audience? What is the main message you’re looking to deliver?
Understanding your goals for your mailings and how they will be perceived by the recipient can affect the response it receives. By sharing with us your target market and communication strategy, we can present your options, their influential factors, ways to lower the hurdles they may create, and the best ways to meet your goals and budget.
Bulk mail is the term used by the USPS® for large mailings that are mailed at reduced postage costs, and it applies to commercial First-Class Mail and Standard Mail (or Advertising Mail.)
Bulk mail costs are lower than single-piece prices because you or your mail provider do a lot of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service—for example, sorting the mail by ZIP code or transporting the mail to a destination postal facility.
To mail at commercial prices, you need a mailing permit (permission to mail) and pay an annual mailing fee for each class of mail.
The benefits of using a mail provider, like Conquest Graphics, are realized in the time and cost savings as we have a mailing permit that most of our customers take advantage of without paying any permit fees, and we can handle everything in-house (including presorting your mail pieces) while making your total cost as low as possible.
To learn more about the postage prices, click here.
To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of mail pieces.
*NOTE: different classes of mail are more expensive than others, and they have different delivery times. For example, First Class Mail is more expensive than Standard Mail, but it is often delivered within 1-5 business days, while Standard Mail is delivered within 3-21 days.
Every Door Direct Mail, or EDDM, is a service offered by the USPS® and does not require a mailing list. Instead, you simply choose a carrier route, and your mail pieces will be delivered to every address on that route.
While there are certain requirements that need to be met for the types of direct mail materials you use, EDDM offers one of the largest mailing discounts.
Direct mail commingling allows you to mail as few mail pieces as you would like while still applying bulk mailing discounts to your mailing.
It works by combining your mailing with other companies' mailings to create a mailing with a large enough quantity to qualify for bulk mailing rates. For example, you could mail 20 postcards, another company could mail 80, and another mail 100, and all 3 mailings would be combined to qualify for Standard Mail.
Direct Mail Automation eliminates any manual labor from your direct mail campaigns.
It works by integrating your mailings with your CRM or marketing automation platform and sends your direct mail pieces out the same way you would send emails. For example, you could send a letter to a customer with just a click of a button, or you could set up triggers so a postcard is automatically sent to contacts based on certain events or actions.
Like any marketing strategy, tracking the results of your direct mail materials is so important because it helps you understand what campaigns are effective and which ones need improvement.
Luckily, tracking direct mail is easy, and all you need to do is include one of the following:
To learn more on how you can easily track direct mail, click here.
Your time is valuable! Eliminate the hassle of mailing and postage by taking advantage of our state-of-the-art mailing operation.
Conquest Graphics offers a one-stop-shop solution for all your mailing needs, we even have 65,000 square feet of dedicated, in-house mailing space to handle every one of your mailing projects seamlessly. We also have multiple locations and will determine the best facility to print and mail your materials from so you can save the most on your mailings.
We have over 100 years of experience managing complex mailing projects. Whether your project is large or small, we can ensure your mailing project is handled professionally, hassle-free, on time, and on budget.
Our on-site mail centers work with the USPS® every day, and our expert understanding of postal regulations helps guarantee the success of your mailing project. We can even analyze your direct mail pieces in the design stage to determine the best possible delivery and postage savings.
We believe in and specialize in technology. We utilize the very latest software and mailing equipment in our Mail Centers to provide our customers with an efficient turn-key mailing services solution. We also offer full-color personalization of letters, flyers, postcards, brochures, and more on our state-of-the-art digital presses.
Along with our incredible and discount full-color printing and rock-bottom process, we also offer our customers a full-service mailing center. We understand that most printed materials end up in the mail. We also understand that the mailing process is expensive, complicated, and a real hassle, so let us take care of it and help you find the right options to meet your goals and budget.
Our in-house Mail Center can help identify the best way to deliver your materials. And with multiple Mail Centers in the US, we can split your jobs so that they get there fast no matter where you want to mail.
Our full-service Mail Centers provide fast delivery across the country and have everything you need to mail your projects, no matter how large or small.
Yes, Conquest Graphics offers mail tracking services to customers using Intelligent Mail® barcode technology through the USPS. To track an order you’re mailing with Conquest Graphics, simply view the order under your account info section titled “Your Jobs.” Once you’ve expanded the order’s details, you can click the button to purchase three options for “Mail Delivery Reporting.” Contact us if you need any help or assistance.
Depending on how much detail you want, there is a range of pricing for our mailing reports.
Mail reporting is appropriate for anyone sending First Class mail, periodicals or standard mail through Conquest Graphics’ mailing center. When you order a mailed job on ConquestGraphics.com you will be offered the ability to add on mailing reports, either via email or by logging into your account and viewing your mailing job’s details under the “Your Jobs” section of your account.
Using Conquest Graphics’ Intelligent Mail® barcode, a dynamic report can be generated by our Information Technology team, showing you the relevant information needed to understand the delivery dates of every single piece of your mailing job after it’s mailed from our mailing center. This report automatically updates as we receive raw data on the progress of your mail.
Depending on which version of the mailing report you choose to purchase, you will receive various amounts of information on your mailed job.
Once you’ve purchased mailing reports through the website or with the assistance of a customer service or sales team member, you can begin accessing your mailing reports immediately! Using either the email address associated with your account or an email address of your choosing that you’ve communicated to us through customer service, you will receive notifications when your mailing report receives new data from the USPS on the progress of your job.
This data can be accessed either through the “Your Jobs” section of your account when you log into ConquestGraphics.com or you can access it using the link that will be emailed to you as we receive up-to-date information that dynamically updates your report.
The link that is emailed to you to view the report is the most convenient method of viewing the report, and it is valid for 24 hours after it is sent to you, allowing you to access the report without having to enter your login details for ConquestGraphics.com
If it is more than 24 hours after you have received the last update on your mailing job and you have not received a newer link since then with new updates on the job, you will have to login to your account and access the mailing report under the job in the “Your Jobs” section of your account.
No matter what, your most up-to-date mailing report will always be accessible there once you have purchased it using one of the above outlined purchasing methods.
If you are experiencing difficulty accessing your mailing report or would like a specialized method of receiving notifications of your reports availability and updates, please speak to a member of our customer service or sales team.
Either email CustomerService@ConquestGraphics.com or call 800-707-9903 to get in touch with a member of our sales team to get help accessing your mailing report. You could also chat in using our built-in website chat feature between the hours of 8:00am and 7:00pm EST Monday through Friday.
If you’ve ever received a mailer in your mailbox, you’ve probably seen something like this across the bottom. These distinctive marks are a Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb). This barcode is used to track the progress of individual mailed pieces as they reach regional postal distribution centers and destination post offices.
To create an account, please click on the "Login" link located at the top right of the navigation bar.
You will be directed to the login page. From here, click on the "Register now" link located under the "Log in" button.
You will then be directed to the registration page. Fill in all fields. The email you fill in will be your Username for logging in. After filling in all of your information, click the "Register" button. This will direct you back to the Login page where you can fill in your Username (the email you used to register) and your password.
On the Login page, click the "Forgotten password" link located above the "Log In" button.
This will direct you to a new page. Enter your email (this is the username you use to log in) and press "Send." You will receive an email from us; please click on the link in the email to reset your password.
You will be directed to a screen like the one below, asking you to add a new password and then repeat it. Once you have entered your new password, click "Save" and then "Login" to go back to the Login page, where you can log in using your new password.
To begin ordering, please log in to your account. You can log in by clicking the "Login" link at the top right of the navigation bar and using the email address you used as your username during registration. Once logged in, you will be able to view and shop for all products associated with your account and brand.
If applicable, you can filter your brand's products using the checkboxes to the right of your screen, the search bar, or the Sort Mode and Sort Direction dropdowns. Click the "Order" button for the product you would like to order.
For static products (products that do not require customization), you can select specific options that are not grayed out, including your quantity, turnaround time (the time it takes to print your order), and add a Name for your job. Then, press "Add To Cart." Any options that are grayed out cannot be changed.
For design products (products that can be personalized), you will need to select or input any options that are not grayed out. Then, press the "Design" button to begin personalizing your product.
A new view will appear, allowing you to begin personalizing your product. Insert any needed fields, such as contact information, background colors, images, etc. You will see the design populate your information. This is exactly how your product will look when printed. Once you have completed your customization, click "Save & Approve". This will take you back to the product page, where you can click on "Add To Cart" to proceed.
By clicking on "Add To Cart," you will be directed to your cart, or you can access your cart at any time by clicking on the bag icon in the top right of the navigation. Here, you will see all current products in your cart. You can edit your design from here if needed, delete, save a product for later, or upload files if required. Please note you can upload files after checking out as well. Once you are ready, click on "Checkout" to begin the checkout process.
For products that require an uploaded art file, you can click on the "View/Upload Files" and then drag and drop files or select from your local files. After uploading, click "Complete Upload." After completing the upload successfully, the "Actions Needed" status will show a checkmark. Now, you can click checkout to proceed. Or you can skip the upload file process and upload your files after checkout by visiting "Your Jobs."
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be directed to a Shipping Address input screen. Input all relevant shipping information. You can then set this address as your "Default Shipping" or "Default Billing" to have it prepopulate in the future. Name your address and click "Save Address" to save it to the address book held on your Account. You'll then be taken to the Shipping Information Screen.
On the Shipping Information screen, click on the "Edit Shipments" button to change or add an address or split a shipment. To change the shipping type/carrier, click on the dropdown highlighted below to show a list of shipping options.
If you click on the "Edit Shipments" button, you will be directed to the Shipping Edit screen. Here, you can add a new address by clicking on "Add Address." You can change the shipping destination on this page by selecting the destination dropdown and selecting an address listed in your Account's addresses. To split a shipment, click "Add" to add multiple packages and send each package to different locations. Ensure the quantity totals the total quantity specified in your order. Once ready, click "Save Shipments" to return to the Shipping Information screen and then press "Continue" to proceed to Checkout.
After clicking on the "Continue" button, you will be directed to the payment page. Here, you can enter Purchase Order #s, if desired, which are provided on invoices for the order. Your brand may be set up with Terms, in which case, you will see a similar screen to the one below. If your brand requires payment at checkout, you will see a field to insert a payment method. Once ready, click "Place Order."
At any time, you can visit your past and current jobs by clicking on the "Your Jobs" in the "Account" dropdown. Here you will find all your jobs and their information. You can also upload art or mailing files here if needed and filter your jobs by status.
For products that require an art file upload, you will need to approve your proof so that your job moves into production. Once your proof is ready, you'll receive a "Proof Ready" email. Click on the link to go to your portal login page.
Once logged in, click on the account dropdown in the top right of the screen and select "Jobs" (there should be a number highlighted for the number of jobs that have an "Action Required.")
Once on the Jobs screen, if you have any jobs requiring attention, they will be immediately shown under "Action Required." "Job Status" will show as "Waiting for PDF Approval." Click on "Approve Proof" to begin the proof approval process.
Click "Download Proof" to download and view your PDF Proof file.
After downloading and viewing the proof, if there are no changes needed, simply select "I approve my proof" and then "Submit" to send your job directly into production.
If you have questions after viewing your proof, select "I have questions about my proof." Frequently asked proof questions will appear. Include a message to our prepress team or request a change to your artwork and then click "Submit." Your message will be sent to our prepress team. The job won't be moved into production, and another proof approval will be required after our team has addressed your question or changed the artwork.
After viewing your proof and you need to upload an entirely new art file, select "There are changes to the file(s), I will submit new art." Click submit. The job listed on your Jobs page will now prompt you to upload new art. Select "Upload Art." Upload the new art file from your local files and then click "Complete Upload" to finish the process.
Select "I need to request changes, please provide a quote" if you need to completely change the specifications of the product you ordered. We will then be in touch, and your current job will not move into production.
You should receive an email with a link to your proof within 2-8 business hours after uploading your file.
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