A Beginner’s Guide to Direct Mail Commingling
If you’re new to the mailing industry, you may have heard the term “commingling” thrown around but aren’t exactly sure what it means. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Mail commingling is one of the most effective ways to save time and money on your direct mail campaigns, and it’s easier to understand than you might think. This guide will break down the basics of commingling services and show you how they benefit businesses sending out large volumes of mail.
What is Commingling?
At its core, commingling is the process of combining (or “mingling”) multiple mail pieces from different companies or organizations into one large batch. This batch is then sorted together, enabling the mail to qualify for discounted postage rates. By working together, businesses can get their mail out faster and at a lower cost.
Think of commingling like carpooling for mail. Instead of each business sending their mail separately, several companies “ride together” in the same mailstream. This helps all participants enjoy the benefits of larger, more efficient mail processing.
How Does It Work?
To understand commingling, it’s helpful to know a little about the postal system. When you send mail, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has to sort it by destination before delivering it. The more you can presort and group your mail based on ZIP codes, the less work the USPS has to do, which is why they offer discounts for presorted mail.
However, many businesses don’t send enough mail to qualify for these discounts on their own. That’s where commingling services come in. Here’s how the process works:
- Mail Collection: Your mail is collected by a commingling service provider. These can include letters, postcards, or any type of First-Class or Marketing Mail.
- Combining with Other Mail: Your mail is combined with the mail of other companies. This creates larger batches, which allows for better presorting.
- Presorting by ZIP Code: Once the mail is combined, it is sorted by ZIP code, preparing it for faster USPS processing.
- Delivery to USPS: After sorting, the mail is delivered to the appropriate USPS processing center, closer to its final destination.
By presorting and consolidating mail from different businesses, commingling allows for quicker processing and access to reduced postage rates.
Benefits of Commingling
- Lower Postage Costs: The most obvious benefit is cost savings. Commingling reduces postage rates by qualifying mail for bulk discounts typically available only to large mailers.
- Faster Delivery: Presorting the mail by ZIP code speeds up the USPS process, which means your mail gets delivered faster. Commingled mail can sometimes skip over certain steps in the postal sorting process.
- Increased Efficiency: By using a commingling service, businesses no longer have to worry about managing complex presorting tasks in-house. The service provider handles everything, from sorting to delivery, freeing up time and resources.
- No Minimum Volume Required: Small businesses benefit because they don’t have to meet high volume thresholds to qualify for discounted rates. Even if you’re sending a smaller batch of mail, commingling allows you to take advantage of savings as if you were a larger mailer.
- Improved Tracking and Reporting: Commingling services often include mail tracking, allowing you to know exactly where your mail is at each step of the process. This transparency ensures that your mail is reaching its destination on time.
Who Should Use Commingling?
If your business sends out bulk mailings regularly—whether for marketing campaigns, invoicing, or other purposes—commingling is a smart solution. It’s particularly useful for:
- Small and medium-sized businesses that don’t send enough mail to qualify for discounted rates on their own.
- Marketing agencies handling direct mail campaigns for multiple clients.
- Nonprofits and educational institutions that frequently send fundraising appeals or newsletters.
- Municipalities and government organizations mailing notices, tax documents, or ballots.
Getting Started with Commingling
Ready to take advantage of commingling but not sure where to begin? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Partner with a trusted commingling provider: A good commingling service provider will handle the heavy lifting, from sorting your mail to tracking deliveries. Look for a provider with a strong track record and experience in the industry.
- Understand your mailing needs: Before signing up for a commingling service, have a clear understanding of how much mail you send on a regular basis, the types of mail you typically use, and your delivery timelines.
- Check for additional services: Many commingling providers offer additional services such as address validation, barcoding, and mail tracking. These can further streamline your direct mail process and ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
Commingling is a powerful tool that helps businesses save money and time on direct mail. By combining your mail with that of other organizations, you can access discounted postage rates and faster delivery times, without the hassle of managing the presorting process yourself. Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, commingling can help optimize your mailing operations and improve your bottom line.
Ready to simplify your mail operations? Let RA take the hassle and “gotchas” out of direct mail—so you can focus on what matters most. Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can save you time, reduce your mailing costs, and boost your mailing efficiency. Contact us now at 800-441-7804 and let’s figure out how to start saving you more on postage while also speeding up in-home delivery of your direct mail.