Mail seems like a simple concept to most people. You drop an addressed envelope off at the post office, and off it goes, eventually landing in the right mailbox. But what if you’re a retail store sending out a campaign with over 100,000 pieces of mail? Suddenly, a straightforward process becomes much more complex. Don’t worry—Allied is here to help break it down into simpler terms for anyone new to commercial mail.
Taking the Mystery Out of Postage Optimization
Commercial mail flows through the postal system in large quantities, where it’s sorted, processed, and delivered efficiently. Because of the volume, businesses qualify for reduced postage rates on options like First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail.
Why does the postal service offer discounts for commercial mailings?
It’s simple—some of the work that the postal service would normally do is already handled by the mailer. This includes a process called presorting. Presorting ensures mail is grouped for efficient handling and delivery. It includes steps like:
- Grouping by ZIP Code
- Applying Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMB): These barcodes store detailed delivery information, helping with tracking and sorting
- Meeting Weight and Size Requirements
The Journey Through the Postal System
Once the mail is presorted, it begins its journey through the postal system. First, it is delivered to the postal processing plant, where it’s prepared for transportation and sorted. At this stage, machines read the Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMBs) to organize the mail into bins based on ZIP codes. This step ensures that mail is grouped by destination, streamlining the process for the next facility.
From there, the mail is transported—by truck or plane—to a regional processing facility closer to its final destination. Once it arrives, additional sorting machines read the barcodes again to refine the organization. This step assigns each piece of mail to a specific postal carrier.
Finally, the mail is routed to the local post office, where it’s added to the carrier’s delivery route. The grand finale? Your mail reaches its preferred destination.
How Allied Can Help
We know the flow of mail can feel overwhelming at times, especially when dealing with large-scale campaigns. That’s why we’re here—to make the process smoother for you. By understanding how commercial mail works, businesses can:
- Streamline their mailing strategies.
- Save on costs by avoiding common mistakes.
- Make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes.
At Allied, we’re experts in commercial mail and are here to help you every step of the way. Have questions about your mailing process? Give us a call today, and let’s chat about how we can support your business.
