Is  your printing going to me mailed?

40% of all printing in the US will end being delivered by the US postal service. If you plan on mailing your printing, your piece should be designed to fit US postage standards to insure that you receive the best postage rate you can.

AAA Express Printing's direct mail department, along with our design department, can design your mail piece for you, offer you money saving advise. If you wish to design your own piece, you can use one of our templates to assure that you get the best postage rate.

From mail piece design to obtaining a mailing list, printing to addressing, sorting, bar-coding and delivering your completed project to the post office, Print express is there to see your mailing project though from start to finish. We'll even let you use our permit  free of charge.

Frequently asked  questions

What Are Bulk Rates?
The Postal Service offers discounts for bulk mailings because you do some 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 different postal facility). Everyone benefits from this "worksharing." Mailers make an investment in time and technology, and the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.

Are there minimum quantities for a bulk mailing?
To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces:
500 pieces for First-Class Mail.
200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for Standard Mail.

How do I know if my piece is a  a letter or a  Flat?
A "letter" can be an envelope, a self-mailer folded brochure or  a card that is  within the minimum and maximum described. Does not  exceed 6-1/8 x 11-1/2. Minimum thickness .007 inch (if no more than 4-1/4" high and 6" long); .009 inch (if more than 4-1/4" high or 6" long or both). Maximum thickness .016 inch.

A "flat" can a self-mailer folded brochure, a large envelope package or even a big postcard  is  within the minimum and maximum described, and does not exceed  3/4" thick. larger than a 6 1/8" x 111/2" up to 12" x 15"

What is CASS?
The "Coding Accuracy Support System" examines each address in your mailing list for proper formatting and adds the +4 Zip to improve the accuracy of your mailing. All mailings that receive postal discounts must be 100% CASS certified. We will supply you with the “non-CASS” addresses so you can update your mailing list.

What is NCOA?
National Change of Address  allows the checking of an existing mail list to determine if a person or family has moved in the last 18 months. There is an additional charge for this service and is required by the post office.

What is an indicia?
An indicia is a mailing permit marking on First Class and Standard Class mail used as a substitute for stamps.

Do I need to purchase a bulk permit?
No, why spend the $180.00 when you can use AAA Express Printing's permit at no additional charge when  we do the mail services. You may also use of a presorted stamp for either bulk or First Class mailings.

What type of address files do you accept?
In order to process bulk mail for  your customers, we must have the file(s) in an usable electronic format. Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, Access® database or equivalent products. Most proprietary applications released within the past few years will export a mail list for your use either through an "Export" or a "Save As" command.

What and why are some mail pieces tabbed?
Tabbing is required for a folded self-mailer to be consider "Automation Compatible." The tabbing process helps assures the post office that your bar-coded mail can be processed by machinery and will help ensure that the mail piece arrives at it’s destination in better shape. When designing a self-mailer, final folds should be on the far right and bottom edges of the mail piece. Otherwise, two tabs will be required. Self-mailers with folds at the top edge increase the chances of getting jammed in the mail processing equipment at the post office. Paper weight also affects the tabbing requirement for self-mailers.