Mailing Terminology

We have put together some easy-to-understand definitions in order to assist you in the language of direct mailing.

CASS
An acronym for Coding Accuracy Support System. Addresses are corrected to be in a proper address format. CASS adds ZIP+4, creates delivery point barcodes and corrects, and or, notifies you of a bad address. CASS is required for presorted postal mailing.

Delivery Point Validation (DPV)
The process of comparing your addresses against actual known addresses. Undeliverable addresses can then be surpressed from your list resulting in lower postage cost and reduced waste. DPV is required for presorted postal mailing.

Duplicate Removal
The removal of costly and annoying duplicate records in a mailing list. This is especially useful when combining multiple lists.

First Class Mailings
First class mailings are your best choice when you need to get it there quickly. Delivery is usually about 1-3 days in California and 3-5 days nationally. Standard mail is a less expensive option, except for postcards, but takes longer to get there.

Flat
The USPS defines a letter with a minimum size so one side exceeds 6.125 or 11.5 inches, maximum size of 12 x15 inches, minimum thickness of .009 inches, maximum thickness of .75 inches, maximum weight of 16 ounces, final fold on right hand side and an aspect ratio between 1.3 and 2.5.

Indicia
The indicia is used in place of a stamp. It holds information about the type of mailing and the permit holder.

Inkjeting (Inkjet Addressing)
The process of printing an address, indicia or other information on printed material with use of a high-speed inkjet printer. Our mailing system is capable of inkjet printing up to 30,000 pieces per hour.

Letter
The USPS defines a letter with a minimum size of 3.5 x 5 inches, maximum size of 6.125 x 11.5 inches, minimum thickness of .009 inches, maximum thickness of .25 inches, maximum weight of 3.3 ounces and an aspect ratio between 1.3 and 2.5.

Non-Profit Mailings
Non-profit mailings are reserved for non-profits with a permit from the USPS. Delivery is usually about 4-6 days in California and 10-14 days nationally. First class mail is more expensive, except for postcards, but it gets there faster. Basically, non-profit mailings are the same as standard class mailings, however, reduced postage cost is offered to the non-profit.

Postcard
The USPS defines a postcard with a minimum size of 3.5 x 5 inches, maximum size of 4.25 x 6 inches, minimum thickness of .007 inches and an aspect ration between 1.3 and 2.5.

Standard Class Mailings
Standard class mailings are your best choice when you need to save money. Delivery is usually about 4-6 days in California and 10-14 days nationally. First class mail is more expensive, except for postcards, but it gets there faster.

Tabbing
The process of placing a small round label on folded printing materials to keep it closed while going through the mail stream. One or more tabs is required by the United States Postal Service depending on how the piece is oriented.

USPS
An acronym for the United States Postal Service.

Postal Bar Code
The postal bar code is located on the addressee side of a mail piece. It contains the address information in bar code form. The bar code allows for high-speed processing and routing through the postal system and is required on all presorted mailings.

National Change of Address (NCOA)
NCOA is a database compiled from the “change of address” forms submitted to the USPS during the previous three years. NCOA processing is whereby we compare your list of addresses to the list of updated addresses in the NCOA database. If an old address is found, it is updated to a new address. This processing keeps your list accurate and up to date.

Presorting
Mailing pieces are grouped according to ZIP code for faster processing and lower postage rates.

Zip+4
The 5-digit zip code identifes the individual post office associated with an address. The extra 4-digits further define a range of delivery addresses.

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