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Mailing Services 

How to Order Mailing

How do I order Mailing Services?

You can order mailing services on the online pricing tool. Once you have filled out your order specifications, click “Order and Upload Files” to upload both your art files and mailing list.

What services are included in mailing services?

Mailing Lists: CASS Certification, Move Update, Remove Duplicates Inkjet Addresses, Tabbing if required, Delivery to post office.

Which PrintingCenterUSA products have mailing services available?

Postcards, Cards, Folded Self-Mailers, Booklets, Magazines, etc.

If you do not see mailing services as an option on the pricing tool, then mailing services are not available.

What is the refund policy for mailing services?

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

I paid for 2,000 brochures to mail but only need to mail 1,800, what now?

You must specify the shipping address you want the remaining 200 brochures mailed to in the notes section during checkout. Additional shipping and handling charges apply. If you do not specify what you want done with the extra brochures, then PrintingCenterUSA will discard them.

How much to mail this 32 page catalog, booklet, book, etc?

To get a quote on your mailing postage, simply fill out your project requirements on the Online Pricing Tool during ordering.

Why do you charge more than the post office?

The cost for address and mailing includes estimated postage, mailing services and delivery to the post office for distribution.

How do I receive Non Profit Authorization through the Post Office?

You must supply your CRID and Non-Profit Authorization to us upon ordering to utilize your non-profit status. To obtain your CRID, you must create an account on USPS®. To obtain your non-profit authorization through USPS, you must fill out this form and return it to the Post Office where Nonprofit Standard Mail mailings will be deposited. Once authorized, the authorization will apply nationwide. PrintingCenterUSA cannot authorize an organization.

Once you have your non-profit authorization, PrintingCenterUSA will need to be provided with the company name and CRID.

I want to mail my product locally. What indicia do I need?

If you are mailing your products through your own permit, then you must use your own indicia and submit your art files with the appropriate indicia. If you are using a local mailer, then ask them.

Can I request a mailing data proof?

Yes, you can request a mailing data proof. Add a comment in the notes section when placing your order. Additional charges will apply.

What are tabs?

Tabs are a convenient way of sealing a folded self mailer, such as a brochure, so there is no need for envelopes. They are round, transparent stickers.

Trifold Brochure without HeadingMailing Tabs

Artwork Preparation

How do I ensure my artwork is mailing-ready?

To ensure your artwork is mailing ready, we recommend that you utilize our free downloadable templates as a guide.

What is an indicia?

Indicia is an imprint on each mail piece that signifies postage has been prepaid. It takes the place of a stamp or postage meter imprint and is printed or ink-jetted directly on your mail piece.

Examples of PrintingCenterUSA Indicias:

Mailing Indicia Examples

What size should the indicia be?

Your indicia size should be no less than ½ inch squared. Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.
Mailing Indicia Minimum

Can I use my non-profit indicia?

You can use your non-profit status to mail through PrintingCenterUSA’s indicia. However, mailing with your non-profit indicia would require PrintingCenterUSA to mail through your non-profit permit account. PrintingCenterUSA does not offer this service.

You must supply your CRID and Non-Profit Authorization to us upon ordering to utilize your non-profit status. To obtain your CRID, you must create an account on USPS®. To obtain your non-profit authorization through USPS, you must fill out this form and return it to the Post Office where Nonprofit Standard Mail mailings will be deposited. Once authorized, the authorization will apply nationwide. PrintingCenterUSA cannot authorize an organization.

Once you have your non-profit authorization, PrintingCenterUSA will need to be provided with the company name and CRID

Do I have to put the indicia in the top right corner?

Generally, the indicia must either be in the top right corner of the mail piece or the top right corner of the address area. However, indicia and mailing panel placement depend on the product. Common examples below. We recommend that you utilize our free downloadable mailing templates for your specific mailing product. Click Here to view a list of PrintingCenterUSA products that have templates.


Mailing Top Right Corner

Can I have art below the address area?

For products over 6” x 11” (or Flat Class Mail), yes, as long as the address area is large enough to accommodate your address and intelligent-mail barcode. Avoid putting any text near the address area that could be misread as address data. Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.

For postcards and products up to 6” x 11” (Letter Class mail) you should not have art below the address area.

Mailing Location

What is the size of the address area or mailing panel?

The minimum size is 3.5 inches wide, but PrintingCenterUSA prefers recommends 3.75 inches so we can easily fit an intelligent-mail barcode. For example:
Size of Panel

Where should the mailing panel be located?

For products over 6” x 11” (or Flat Class Mail) your mailing panel must be within the top half of your product and be large enough to accommodate the address and intelligent-mail barcode. Avoid putting any text near the address area that could be misread as address data. Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.

How do I set up the design for mailing for my trifold brochure?

On the back middle panel, orient your mailing information where the fold is on the bottom and the opening is on top. Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.


Trifold Brochure

How do I set up the design for mailing for my postcard?

It is best to utilize our free downloadable mailing templates for postcards. To find a template, click here.
Postcard Location

How do I set up the design for my (8.5” x 11”) booklet, catalog, magazine, program etc.?

8.5 x 11 Multi-Page products qualify as Flat-Class. The mailing panel (delivery address) can be anywhere in the top half of the piece. Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.

8.5x11 Booklet Location

How do I set up the design for my (5.5” x 8.5”) booklet, catalog,magazine, program etc.?

5.5 x 8.5 booklets qualify as Letter-Class. The mailing panel (delivery address) must be set up so the spine is on the bottom. Or, for landscape booklets, the spine must be on the leading edge (right hand side). Please refer to our free downloadable mailing templates here.

What orientation should the product be mailed in?

All letter class mail must be mailed in landscape orientation. Flat sized mail can be done either landscape or portrait, but portrait is the most commonly used orientation.

Where should I put my return address?

Your return address should always be either on the top left corner of the product, or the top left corner of the mailing panel. If you put your return address anywhere else, it could be accidentally used as your mailing address during scanning. A return address is required for first class mailing.

Mailing Lists

What if my direct mail list includes international addresses?

PrintingCenterUSA will automatically remove International Addresses unless specifically requested in the notes section during checkout. If your direct mail list includes international addresses that you cannot remove yourself, then utilize the “notes” section during the ordering process to tell us that you do not want them removed. Extra postage will be charged for International shipping.

What if the addresses in my list are incorrect?

PrintingCenterUSA is not responsible for the accuracy of your mailing list or shipments failed due to errors made by the customer. If you know there are incorrect addresses in your list, either correct them or remove them before submitting your list.

However, our mailing department runs your mailing data through NCOA (National Change of Address) and CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification to update your list to the most current and accurate information available. This ensures your recipients receive your mailings in a timely fashion and you enjoy the lowest postage rate available to you.

We can provide a Data Proof at an extra charge. A data proof consists of a PDF proof showing you how the labels will look on the mailing piece. At no extra charge, you will receive an Errors Removed Report and a Move Report if either are generated. Contact your CSR to request a Data Proof, Errors Removed Report, and/or a Move Report or leave a note in the “Notes” section during checkout.

What is a Moves Report?

A moves report shows customers on your mailing list who have moved and then their address is automatically updated for your mailing. You may want to update your database as well. You may also choose to NOT mail to the new address if they are no longer in your targeted area. Simply let your CSR know which addresses you do not want to mail to.

If you want to use “Or Current Resident” instead of the updated address, then leave a note during the ordering process.

Example of Moves Report Format:


What is an Errors Removed Report?

An Errors Removed Report shows the addresses that were removed from your mailing list because of insufficient mailing data. An Errors Removed Report is sent so you can correct your personal list for future mailing projects.

Example of Errors Removed Report:


Can I merge several different lists together?

Yes, as long as the data remains in the correct columns! Do not simply paste one list on the bottom of another if the field structure does not match up.


What is CASS Certification?

Coding Accuracy Support System compares your data with a National database. Those addresses that find a match are certified as valid and qualify to mail at automation postage rates. The full zip code is added and minor corrections (spelling, etc.) may be made.

What file formats do you prefer for my mailing list?

PrintingCenterUS prefers an Excel or CSV file. It is best to only include the necessary data in your list.

What if the zip code only shows 4 digits?

A CASS Certification supplies the correct zip code for any address it can match up with the national CASS database or it will remove it as a bad address. We do this as a standard procedure for all lists.

Can I download my mailing list from my PrintingCenterUSA account?

You cannot download your files from your PrintingCenterUSA account. You may contact your CSR to check if your files are still available. However, PrintingCenterUSA reserves the right to delete storage of any supplied files at any time, at will, with or without cause or notice to you. PrintingCenterUSA is not responsible to store any supplied files for any period of time. PrintingCenterUSA recommends that you store any files that you wish to have access to or use at any point in the future. PrintingCenterUSA will make reasonable efforts to ensure that files stored by PrintingCenterUSA are not released or provided to any other parties except the user, or with the user’s explicit agreement in writing. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

How long is my mailing list saved in my account?

PrintingCenterUSA reserves the right to store all supplied artwork and data files for any project we are involved with producing or servicing unless there is a specific, separate agreement, agreed to in writing by both PrintingCenterUSA and the User. PrintingCenterUSA reserves the right to delete storage of any supplied files at any time, at will, with or without cause or notice to you. PrintingCenterUSA is not responsible to store any supplied files for any period of time. PrintingCenterUSA recommends that you store any files that you wish to have access to or use at any point in the future. PrintingCenterUSA will make reasonable efforts to ensure that files stored by PrintingCenterUSA are not released or provided to any other parties except the user, or with the user’s explicit agreement in writing. If a situation arises where there is an unauthorized file release that materially affects you, then PrintingCenterUSA will notify you in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.

How should I organize my mailing list?

At PrintingCenterUSA, we prefer your mailing lists to be organized in the following standardized format: First Name, Last Name, Business, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, City, State, and Zip.
Note: Do not include hard returns in the data field. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information.


Can I give you a Word doc for my Mailing List?

PrintingCenterUSA does not accept Word documents for mailing lists. Our accepted file formats are Excel and CSV (delimited text).

Can I buy a list from you?

PrintingCenterUSA does not provide mailing lists.

Mailing Distribution

When will my direct mail reach my customers?

Delivery Date =
Date of Approval + Turnaround Days + 2 days Mailing Prep + Shipping Transit Days


Note: You must exclude weekends and holidays for Turnaround, Mailing Prep, Shipping days. Use the maximum number of Turnaround Days for your equation.


What is the difference between first-class and presort standard?

Presort Standard

  • Costs roughly 50% less than First-Class.
  • Minimum Quantity: 200 pieces or 50 lbs for discounted rate.
  • Forwarding & Return Services: Additional fees required

First-Class
  • Costs roughly 50% more than presort standard.
  • Minimum Quantity: 500 pieces for discounted rate.
  • Forwarding and Return Services: Free

How do I mail my extras?

If you want to mail your extras, you must place a stamp or meter strip over the indicia to pay the postage.


Stamp and Indicia

How many additional days to print my order do I need to add for your mailing services?

Date of Approval + Turnaround Days + 2 days Mailing Prep + Shipping Transit Days = Delivery Date


Note: You must exclude weekends and holidays for Turnaround, Mailing Prep, Shipping days. Use the maximum number of Turnaround Days for your equation.

Is there a way to check that you actually mailed my postcards?

We can supply a receipt directly from the USPS® Postal One system upon request.

Can I request a special typeface to be used?

USPS® has standards for automation mail. PrintingCenterUSA uses a standard sans serif font as required by the Domestic Mail Manual. If you want to request a special typeface, then you will have to pay First-Class Single-Piece postage rates.