Post Office to Increase Postage on Competitive Products

The Post Office is holding the line on the items it delivers most, namely "Mail". Pieces that it competes with UPS and FedEx on will increase an average of 3.3%. I've seen the increases that UPS and FedEx are implementing, though they are listed as 6%, with the hidden fees in fuel surcharges, the increase appears closer to 12%.

Also, one of my favorite delivery methods: The flat rate envelope has come down in price: From $4.95 to $4.90. This 1% reduction, though not significant, is better than an increase!

Simply stated, there is a good chance that the United States Post Office will be your most economical delivery method in 2010:

New prices for USPS Shipping Services: Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select (Destination Entry only), Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International will go up on January 4, 2010

As a comparison, USPS shipping prices will increase by 3.3 percent, on average, but other competitors have announced price increases of nearly 6 percent. Unlike other shipping companies, the Postal Service does not impose surcharges for fuel, residential delivery, or Saturday delivery.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: First-Class Mail.
First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals, Parcel Post prices are not changing in 2010 and the retail price for the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope will be reduced from $4.95 to $4.90.

Great Postal News

This is the first good Postal news that I have ever received.

The USPS has determined that for every increase that has been imposed in additional postage, volume has decreased enough to more than negate it. With this realization the USPS has committed to holding rates on "market dominant" products though 2010.

"Simply stated, there will not be a price increase for market dominant products including First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, periodicals, and single-piece Parcel Post. There will be no exigent price increase for these products.

This is the right decision at the right time for the right reason. Promoting the value of mail and encouraging its continued use is essential for jobs, the economy, and the future of both the Postal Service and the mailing industry."

The full letter can be found here:
http://directmag.com/postal/1016-postal-pmg/

Yea!

Major Help for Designers Spec'ing Paper

There is a continual churn of new papers coming into availability, other papers going out of availability that is further complicated by the Renaming / Changing specs (brighter, higher opacity) / and Paper Mill buyouts. As someone in the Printing business, I have difficultly keeping up - though have a great deal of resources to draw upon.

For the average person specifying paper, a partnership discussion with their Printer will give them some excellent ideas on the best paper for the job: Uncoated, Coated, Gloss, Dull, Satin, Colored, Brightly Colored, Textured with Linen finish, Laid Finish, Columns, Duplex. As well as the many different paper weights. I personally love helping with paper. I started as an Estimator 12 years ago and love drawing on that experience to find the least costly, best fit for a job.

If you are specifying multiple papers per day, or looking for ideas in multiple creative pitches, you may want to have your own resource. This website offers access to 4,300 different papers from more than 70 paper mills: http://www.paperspecs.com. There is a fee of about 15 per month to be a member, and they do offer a 1 month trial membership. It may be just the thing for a busy paper spec'er.

J

Ideas Save $33,000 per year

Its all about ideas. One project comes to mind that ideas were able to save a total in excess of $30,000 per year! This is about 40% of the total job. What were these ideas? Below is a list:


1) Use bleed tabs instead of heavy paper tabs that extend past the edge of the book = $10,000 per year savings
2) Mail in a Polywrap instead of a Tyvek envelope = $2,500 savings per year.
3) Special negotiated international mailing rate = $15,000 savings per year + $1,300 shipping savings = $18,000 savings per year
4) Paper switch - changed to a lighter weight paper that cost a little more, but saved money on postage. Net savings = $4,200 per year

Total idea savings = $33,000 per year.

Yes, there are ways to save money on your projects as well.

Free Conference Calling

Its all about communicating smarter. If you need to set up a conference call, this is a really great service. There is no cost to use it, there is no advertising to listen in order to access the site, you can also get a recording of the call.

Check out this link if you want to conference at no cost:
http://www.freeconferencecall.com/

FaceOFF

This is something I've never said before: "There is a really cool envelope product now available called Face-Off Envelopes. These are re-usable envelopes, and they really are easy to use.

Previous samples of re-usable envelopes that I've seen are complicated and seem as though they would decrease response rate by frustrating recipients. Not so with this FaceOFF product.

Cost is said to be 18% lower than printing seperate sending and response envelopes, and open rates are higher because the envelopes look so cool. Here is a link to the site. I can get samples for you if you e-mail me your address:
http://www.remailmedia.com/home

National Geographic gets Personal

The next issue of National Geographic called "My Shot" is the first ever issue completly devoted to photography submissions. The issue features over 100 editor chosen photos from over 150,000 submissions.

In addition National Geographic has parnered with Consolidated Graphics to offer a custom cover for anyone to put on the book. The magazine with the custom cover can be purchased for $10.99 at this link.

A complete story is here:
http://www.foliomag.com/2009/national-geographic-taps-digital-press-demand-your-shot-covers

Get yours here:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/custom-cover-home