As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Just start by following one of the links below.
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
- How do I ensure that I am getting the best postage rates?
- How do I know if my data file is up to date?
- What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
- What is the difference between First-Class and Standard mail?
- What is your proofing process?
- How do I qualify for non-profit postage rates?
- Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
The time required to complete an order depends on volume and services to be provided. While the estimates below can be used as a guideline, we encourage you to contact us for a more accurate estimate based on your specific order.
Turnaround times for most orders:
• Mailings: 1-day turnaround
• Printing: 3 to 5-day turnaround
• Fulfillment: Delivered as promised - How do I ensure that I am getting the best postage rates?
• Before going to press, send us a proof of your mail piece so that we can verify that the piece is designed to qualify for the best rates.
• Plan for the longer deliver time required to mail the piece at Standard Mail postage rates.
• When appropriate, design the mail piece to be smaller that 11-1/2” long, 6-1/8” high and 1/4" thick
• When appropriate, design the mail piece to weigh no more than 3.3 ounces if you plan to mail at Standard Mail rates and no more than 1 ounce if you plan to mail at First-Class rates.
• Use a mailer such as DreamWise that enters mail at regional Post Office’s, which qualifies mail pieces additional postage discounts because the US Postal Service does not have to truck the mail as far
• Maintain up to date mailing lists to ensure that you are not wasting money to print and mail pieces to bad or old addresses
• Mail at least 200 pieces to qualify to mail Standard Mail and 500 pieces to qualify for discounts on First-Class Mail - How do I know if my data file is up to date?
Each year the US Postal Service receives an estimated 9.7 billion pieces of mail that is undeliverable as addressed, which costs the agency approximately $2 billion.
Using an old or inaccurate data file wastes printing, mailing, and postage costs. This is particularly the case with Standard Mail because undeliverable as addressed Standard Mail is destroyed by the US Postal Service.Postal regulations mandate that First-Class and Standard Mail meet “move update” requirements, which is helping to alleviate this problem. DreamWise uses the most cost effective method to ensure that your data files meet this requirement. Typically, the most cost effective method is National Change of Address Link (NCOA).
NCOA only updates a change of address for 18 months after an individual moves. Therefore, it is important that you use the NCOA reports we provide you to update your records at least every 18 months. We would also be happy to help you with updating and maintaining your data files.
- What file format should I use when submitting my electronic document for printing?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is the most common and preferred file format for submitting digital documents. With the installation of a PDF print driver on your computer, virtually any program can generate a PDF file suitable for printing.
- What is the difference between First-Class and Standard mail?
Delivery Time:The U S Postal Service’s national delivery of First-Class mail takes 3 to 5 days. Conversely, Standard Mail is delivered in 10 to 14 days nationally. In both cases local is typically faster.
Postage: First-Class mail is more expensive than Standard mail. Local first-class mail qualifying for the lowest postage rate costs $0.324 per piece, while the same piece costs $0.183 per piece for Standard mail.
Mailing Size: For Standard Mail a mailing must be at least 200 pieces. For First-Class mail, there is no minimum quantity. However, to receive discounted postage rates (less than $0.42 per piece) there must be at least 500 pieces.
- What is your proofing process?
A proof helps us ensure that everything is positioned according to your requirements and that the final product will meet your expectations.
We will send you proofs for all printing projects including both commercial and digital printing. These proofs can be sent via email, courier, mail or fax depending on what you would prefer. If you would like to see a proof for other services, such as inkjet addressing, please let us know. We would be happy to provide you proofs as needed.
- How do I qualify for non-profit postage rates?
Non-profit organizations must apply with the Postal Service to obtain non-profit status for mailing purposes. We would be happy to provide you with the form you need to begin this process.
Once you have submitted the necessary documentation the Postal Service will review this information to determine eligibility. Once the application is approved the Postal Service will refund the difference in postage between the regular and non-profit rates if the Postal Service is notified of the pending application at the time of mailing.
Organizations who have received non-profit status with the Postal Service must follow specific guidelines in regards to the content of their mail pieces. We would be happy to review the content of your piece to ensure eligibility.
- Why do the printed colors look different from the colors on my screen?
In short, printers and monitors produce colors in different ways.
Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) color model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colors. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color model, which can reproduce most—but not all—of the colors in the RGB color model. Depending on the equipment used, CMYK generally matches 85–90% of the colors in the RGB model.
When a color is selected from the RGB model that is out of the range of the CMYK model, the application chooses what it thinks is the closest color that will match. Programs like Adobe Photoshop will allow you to choose which color will be replaced. Others may not.
