Mail Commingling vs Traditional Mailing: Which is Right for Your Business?

Aug 28, 2023

When it comes to business class direct mail, finding the most efficient and cost-effective method is crucial for the success of your campaigns. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of mail commingling and traditional mailing to help you make an informed decision.

Mail Commingling: Maximizing Postage Savings

Mail commingling is a process where multiple mailings from different companies are combined and sorted together before being delivered to the USPS. This method allows for significant postage savings by taking advantage of presort discounts and co-mailing opportunities.

Pros:

1. Postage Savings: By combining mailings with other companies, you can benefit from higher presort discounts and co-mailing rates, resulting in substantial postage savings.

2. Faster Delivery: Commingled mail is sorted in a way that optimizes the delivery route, leading to faster and more efficient delivery to your target audience.

3. Improved Tracking: With mail commingling, you gain better visibility into the USPS mail stream, allowing you to track your mail pieces and ensure timely delivery.

4. Financial Transparency: Our proprietary software provides on-demand reporting and 100% financial transparency, giving you complete visibility into your mail processing costs.

Cons:

1. Longer Lead Time: Mail commingling requires additional time for sorting and processing, which may lead to slightly longer lead times compared to traditional mailing methods.

2. Limited Control: When your mail is commingled with other companies’ mailings, you have less control over the exact delivery schedule and sequence of your mail pieces.

Traditional Mailing: Familiar and Direct Control

Traditional mailing involves sending your mailings directly to the USPS without combining them with other companies’ mailings. This method gives you more control over the delivery process but may result in higher postage costs.

Pros:

1. Direct Control: With traditional mailing, you have full control over the timing and sequence of your mail pieces, allowing for more precise targeting and delivery.

2. Quick Turnaround: As there is no additional sorting or processing involved, traditional mailing can offer faster turnaround times for your campaigns.

3. Branding Opportunities: By using your own envelopes and packaging, traditional mailing allows for more branding opportunities and customization.

Cons:

1. Higher Postage Costs: Without the benefits of presort discounts and co-mailing, traditional mailing can result in higher postage costs, especially for large volume mailings.

2. Limited Tracking: Traditional mailing methods offer limited visibility into the USPS mail stream, making it challenging to track the progress and delivery of your mail pieces.

3. Lack of Financial Transparency: Traditional mailing may not provide the same level of financial transparency as mail commingling, making it harder to track and analyze your mail processing costs.

Working with RA is the Solution to Your Direct Mail Challenges

By partnering with RA, you can overcome the pain points associated with both mail commingling and traditional mailing methods. With our expertise in mail optimization software and destination entry logistics, we can help you achieve maximum postage savings, financial accountability, and improved supply-chain reporting for your mail production. Let’s get started today!

6363 State Highway 161 #510
Irving, TX 75063