 
Direct
Mail - Printed Postage Impressions
Printed
Postage Impressions on Mailing Envelopes
(Known throughout the industry as "PPIs")
All
letters or packages delivered by Royal Mail must have an indication
that the postage has been paid. Individual letters or packages posted
in small quantities will have a postage stamp or a franking label attached.
Large mailings, however, use a quicker and more cost effective way,
which is to imprint a personalised Printed Postage Impression on the
mailing envelope.
The
PPI has two functions.
1.
To show that postage has been paid on the mail.
2.
To identify which postal account the mail has been posted on.
The
PPI usually appears in the top right hand corner of the envelope.
You will notice that there is a PPI on most pieces of mail which come
through your door. Have a look at the envelope your next bank statement
comes in.
PPIs
have two main advantages over stamps or franking.
1.
Printed Postage Impressions are much more efficient (and cheaper) to
apply as they are bulk-printed onto the envelope before the envelopes
are filled.
2.
Your mail piece will look more professional and improve your company's
image.
PPIs
are essential for any mail which is to be despatched via a Royal Mail
Postal account. The alternative, which is to ask Royal Mail to frank
your letters is an expensive option on all but very small mailings.
It is charged at 10% of the postage cost.
Your
mailing house will be able to produce envelopes with PPIs on them for
use with your own postal account or via their own. They should also
be able to offer you advice on their use.
If
you already have a postage account with Royal Mail, you will have received
3 rubber stamps. These will have your PPI licence number on them. Your
mailing house will need this if they are to produce envelopes suitable
for your postal account. If you do not have an account, most mailing
houses will despatch via their account, though most will ask for postage
payment in advance for doing this.
If
you would like your own postal account you can call Royal Mail on 08457
950 950. You will reach your local sales centre who will help you with
opening your account.
The
standard Royal Mail Printed Postage Impressions have recently changed.
these are the latest PPIs available for use with 1st and 2nd class mail
and with Mailsort
PPIs
are also used on postcards, packets, catalogues and magazines, in fact
anything which is to be posted via a postal account.
Another
essential element for any mailing is the return address. As of April
2003, all PPI mail despatched must also display a return address.
This is used by Royal Mail when the mail cannot be delivered for any
reason such as:
The
addressee has gone away
The address is incomplete
The address is incorrect
The address has become obscured or is missing
The item has been refused by the recipient
In
these instances, the mail will be returned directly to the return address
on the outside of the envelope. This will enable you to either rectify
the address problem(s) or to remove the record from your database.
Removing the address is essential so that you do not waste money on
further abortive mailings.
The
return address can either be printed
in the top left hand corner of the front of the envelope, on the envelope
flap or on the reverse of the envelope. Unless the envelopes are being
printed while they are being made (for large orders) it is cheaper to
have the return address printed on the front of the envelope. Your mailing
house should have a Royal Mail Post Office Box address available
for you to use if you do not want your own address on the envelope.
If
you need help with any of the following, just click the link.
Whatever
your direct mail, mailing list or posting requirements, please contact
Centreprint
now for a quotation or helpful advice without any obligation.
Telephone
us on 01902 402693 9 am to 5 pm UK time. Answering machine outside these
hours.
Fax
us on 01902 491794 (24 hours)
E-mail
us by clicking here or fill in our simple enquiry
form to ask for help, advice or a quotation.
We
really do look forward to hearing from you. Please get in touch and
help us to help you.
Start
saving money and increasing your mailing response today.
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