The CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) is a USPS (United States Postal Service) process designed to improve the accuracy of your mailings by verifying your address list against an official list of all known deliverable addresses in the United States. The official list is updated quarterly by the USPS. For example, if you live at 101 Main Street, and your next-door neighbor's house is 105 Main Street, an address with 103 Main Street is invalid and CASS certification would reject the address. That address would not be used in your mailing, saving you money, and saving the USPS costs. By utilizing CASS, the USPS gives discounts on postage costs, which we pass on to you. More on CASS Certification

Spectrum has the capability to tab close folded pieces. Tabbing is required by the USPS on folded pieces to allow mailed pieces to process through their high-speed equipment efficiently. See "Tabbing requirements" below for instructions on USPS rules on tabs. More on tabbing

We inkjet the addresses from your mailing list directly on your product. We also add the USPS automation bar codes needed to speed delivery through their system to your customer. More on Ink Jetting

We fill out all forms the USPS needs to process your mailing. If you would like, we can provide for you a copy of the forms, which can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to you.

We can mail your project using pressure sensitive labels supplied by you. Don't forget to sort them in zip code order, otherwise we will need to hand sort them or mail 1st class, both resulting in increased costs to you. The best solution to getting the lowest postage costs is to provide us with an electronic file of your mailing list so we can inkjet the addresses on your project.

ACS (Address Change Service) is an automated enhancement to update your mailing list. If you mail to an individual on a regular basis, and they move, the ACS software will allow us to receive the address notice from the USPS and automatically change to the new address. This software is an excellent way to follow your customers as they move and saves you the time of having to update your mailing list. ACS should not be used if you are mailing to addresses only, like a bulk mail to a particular zip code area. ACS does require several days time to receive the updates from the USPS so advance planning is important. The USPS does charge .20 per address for this service.

We process your mailing list through the CASS software and it provides a printed list of all addresses that are "undeliverable" and the reason the address is undeliverable. We can provide you with the "undeliverables" list so you can update your master list.

PC Excel file with fields in column order are the fastest to process. Word files in column order are also acceptable. You may combine First Name and Last Name fields into one column. Here is an example of a properly structured file ready for processing:

Delimited text files can also be sent in either PC or Mac format. A delimited file has a separator between each field in the file, allowing it to be imported. Delimiters can be 1) comma, 2) tab, 3) quote. Here is an example of a properly structured text file ready for processing:

There are some file formats that we are unable to process: Microsoft Works, Mail Merge files, Word or Excel files in row order. Here is an example of a file in row order that cannot be processed:

You may send us your mailing file on a floppy disk or e-mail it to us at: andy@mail.spectrumprinters.com.

Tabs are required:

To make a mail piece Automation Compatible

On pieces folded to letter size. (Tabs are optional on flats)

Placement of tab(s) will depend on the design of the mail piece:     

If it will have a fold of the bottom of the piece, it will only require one tab (first image)

    

If the fold is at the top of the mail piece, it will require two tabs (second image)

The mailing panel size requirements are basic:

No print can be in the mailing permit area

No print can be within 5/8" of the bottom of the piece

No print can be within the 2" x 4" address area on the bottom-right corner of the mail piece

Weight: at least .007" thick
Height: at least 3½"
Width: at least 5"

Ink: For best results the address should be printed on a white background. If you plan to incorporate any ink color(s) in the mailing area, please send us a proof so we can check to see if it will meet USPS specifications.

Varnish: We are unable to ink jet addresses on a piece that has been varnished because the ink used for addressing will not dry. The ink then smears and the addresses are unreadable.

Paper: Once again white is the preferred choice, but light colors like cream or ivory are acceptable. If you plan on using any color of paper please check with us for suitability with USPS specifications.

As of January 10, 2001, a mailing permit may not use the words "bulk mail". The mailing permit must say "presort standard." Please see the examples below; this will only affect 3rd class mailing permits.

To make a mail piece Automation Compatible:

You must be sure nothing is in the OCR read area

That the mail piece fits within the postal requirements for size, weight

You have your return address in the upper left hand corner

Permit in the upper right hand corner

Make sure it is tabbed or sealed correctly

The barcode clear zone is empty of any print

The USPS requires that the postage for a mailing must be in the account at the time of mailing. They will not accept or process a project without the postage paid in advance.

We can answer many of your technical questions regarding USPS regulations, however, sometimes it is best to review a piece directly with the post office you are planning to mail from. Here are phone numbers our most commonly used post offices:

To find a post office near you click here.