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FAQ

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Questions & Answers

Artwork

How do I submit my artwork?

You can submit your artwork here.

What file formats do you take for artwork?

Desktop Publishing Files
.INDD – Adobe InDesign
.PUB – Microsoft Publisher

Document Files (Text and Plain Text)
.DOC – Microsoft Word document
.DOCX – Office Open XML document
.PAGES – Apple Pages document
.PDF – Portable Document Format

Raster Graphics Files (images as a group of pixels)

.BMP – Microsoft Windows Bitmap formatted image
.GIF – CompuServe's Graphics Interchange Format .JP2 – JPEG2000
.JPG – Joint Photographic Experts Group – a lossy image format widely used to display photographic images.
.JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group – a lossy image format widely used to display photographic images.
.PNG – Portable Network Graphic lossless, for display and edition of graphic images
.PSD – Adobe Photoshop Drawing
.TIF – Tagged Image File Format
.TIFF – Tagged Image File Format

General

What forms of payments do you accept?

We take Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and company checks. Terms are available upon request and subject to approval.

Mailing Service

If I am using your mailing service, what format does the list have to be in?

We can import most file formats into our mailing list software. Our data experts will match your fields to our software

Can I use your mailing permit?

Yes, if you are using our mailing services, you can use our permit instead of needing your own mailing permit.

Can I mail at non-profit rates?

If are authorized to mail at non-profit rates by the United States Postal Service then we will be able to get you the non-profit rates.

I would like to get more information about your data services listed on the site. What does the presort and bar coding do? Can you send me detailed information on the data services you have listed?

Presorting and Barcoding is required by the post office to receive the best postal discounts on direct mail. Presorting is when we are sorting your mail by zipcode. Doing this the post office will give a discount on direct mail. Barcoding is adding an IMB barcode to the mail so post office can send your mail through their automated equipment and the post office will give another discount. So when you presort and barcode your mail you will receive the best postal discounts.

Mailing Lists

Is it free to run counts and register for an account?

Running counts and registering for an account is free and easy. You only pay for the data that you order. You can run counts and order lists 24-hours a day / 7 days a week. There are no monthly subscription charges. Click here to get started.

Where can I download the mailing list?

You can download your mailing list order 24-hours a day / 7 days a week, by logging into your account and clicking on Download Order. Then type in the order number and password that was sent to you via email from order@excelprintmail.com. If you are registered on the site, click on My Count/Order History, then select the order that you want to download.

When can I download the mailing list order?

The mailing list is usually ready for download 5-10 minutes after you place the order. A confirmation email will be sent to you.

How do I retrieve a saved mailing list count?

Log into your account and select My Count/Order History

If I need help with printing and mailing services who can I call?

Call 1-877-765-6245 and our mailing specialists will help you with your direct mail campaign.

Do any of the mailing lists come with email addresses?

No! Nobody likes SPAM!

Every Door Direct Mail®

What are your standard Every Door Direct Mail® postcard sizes?

Our standard Every Door Direct Mail® postcards sizes are 6.25x9", 6x11", and 8.5x11". We also offer 11x17" folded to 6x11" or 8.5x11". Custom sizes are also available as long as they fit the EDDM® criteria outlined by the United States Postal Service.

Learn how to select the right sized EDDM® Postcard.

Do you ship the EDDM® postcards to me or directly to my local post office?

It’s entirely up to you, and how much you’d like our team to be involved. We can either ship your EDDM® postcards to your address for bundling or we can provide a full-service solution to Every Door Direct Mail®, which includes bundling your postcards by carrier route and shipping them directly to your local post office for you.

Where do I find the carrier routes to deliver my EDDM® postcards?

You can look up EDDM® carrier routes with our map or call us at 1-877-765-6245 and we'll work with you to select the best routes for your campaign.

Do I have to mail to an entire ZIP Code?

ZIP Codes are broken into carrier routes. You do not have to mail your EDDM® campaign to an entire ZIP Code, just an entire carrier route.

With Every Door Direct Mail do I have to mail to businesses?

Every Door Direct Mail® allows you to exclude businesses, to ensure you’re only sending your marketing postcards to the appropriate audience.

What is the difference between Every Door Direct Mail® and Direct Marketing?

Every Door Direct Mail® is a cost-effective program from the United States Postal Service that allows you to send direct marketing postcards to an entire zip code or mail carrier route without purchasing a mailing list. With Every Door Direct Mail®, you’re able to target specific zip codes, neighborhoods, or local areas at a lower postage rate.

What is the turnaround time for EDDM® mailing services?

A delivery time of 7-14 business days is typical for the EDDM® program.

When I drop my EDDM® postcards off at the Post Office, how do I pay for the postage?

It depends which of our EDDM® mailing services you choose. If you’d prefer us to ship your printed postcards to you; instead of mailing them for you, we will make sure to include the indicia for Every Door Direct Mail Retail® on your postcard. We can help with the post office website to produce the paperwork so you can pay for your postage online, or you can take a check with you to the Post Office. If you use our full service solution to Every Door Direct Mail® and our team mails your postcards for you, then postage will be included in your invoice. Our full service includes: printing, bundling, paperwork completion, shipping your Every Door Direct Mail® postcards to the Post Office, and postage. Please give us a call at 1-877-765-6245 or request a quote for more information on our EDDM® postcard printing services.

What are the minimum and maximum order quantities for Every Door Direct Mail® postcards?

EDDM® postcard printing is great for campaigns of all sizes. The minimum order quantity is 200 EDDM® postcards or the size of 1 postal carrier route, and the maximum for EDDM Retail is 5,000 per day. If you mail with Excel Printing and Mailing there is no daily maximum.

Can I choose from multiple postcard finishes?

Yes, we print EDDM® postcards in a variety of finishes. You can choose gloss, or opt for our high-gloss UV coating.

Creative Graphic Design

If you are doing the designing, can I still use my images and logos?

Yes, if you hire us to design your marketing piece, we can use your images and logos as long as they are high resolution (300 dpi) or a vector image.

Do I get charged per proof?

No, our all inclusive design service covers all stock photography, proofs and changes until you are satisfied with the design.

How long does design service take?

Typically, you will see your first proof within 2 business days. To help speed up the design time, please request as many changes as possible with each proof that is sent to you.

Does your designers make sure that my piece will comply with all postal regulations?

Yes, our designers are well trained to design your direct mail piece to receive the best postal discounts.

Will your designers add the mailing permits?

Yes, if you are using our direct mail service our designers will make sure to add the correct permit. If you have your own permit we will work with your local post office to make sure we add the correct permit to your direct mail piece.

Outdoor Banners

How will I hang my 3 x 6 banner?

Your banner will have metal grommets placed in all 4 corners. You can use rope or bungee cords to tie your 3x6 banner to a building, fence, or ground posts.

Direct Mail Postcards

What are the standard sizes for marketing postcards?

Our standard direct mail postcards are available in the following sizes:

4.25" x 5.5"
4" x 6"
5.5" x 8.5"
6" x 9"
5.5" x 11"
6" x 11"

And available in our Every Door Direct Mail® program sizes.

What is the difference between direct mail postcards and Every Door Direct Mail?

In a direct mail postcard campaign, you will be sending your postcards to a specific list of recipients, whereas Every Door Direct Mail® the postcards are delivered to very house on a mail route.

When should I use a direct mail campaign over EDDM?

If you are looking to target a very specific audience group or already have a customer list, then a direct mail postcard campaign may be a better option than Every Door Direct Mail®

Do I need to come up with a design for the postcards myself?

At Excel Printing and Mailing, we have an experienced and award-winning design team that can assist you in creating the perfect visual or your marketing message.

Do you have examples of Direct Mail Addressed Postcards?

Yes, view some of our past work with Addressed Postcards

If I use your postcard mailing service do I need a direct mail permit?

No, customers that use our postcard mailing services can use our permit at no charge.

If I have already had my post cards made up to postal standards how can I purchase a stamp and have them delivered?

Thank you for the question on how to mail your postcards. Typically, our customers have us print their postcards and mail them out for them at discounted postage rates. However, if the postcard is setup correctly you can send them here and we can address and mail them for you. Please contact our sales team at 1-877-765-6245.

Can you ‘print only’ the postcard and delivery to me, so i can mail them out myself?

Yes, we can print and ship postcards to you, so you can mail them out. I will have someone from our sales team reach out to you.

What is Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®)?

EDDM® is a popular and affordable USPS service that enables local businesses to send postcards to residents on specific mailing routes, without the need for a mailing list. We can help you run an EDDM® campaign.

Custom Letters and Envelopes

What is the difference between First-Class Mail and Standard Mail?

First-Class Mail is typically delivered in 3 business days, while Standard Mail can take up to 12 business days. If the letter contains any account-specific, financial, or personal information, it must be mailed using First-Class.

What size letters and envelopes do you print?

Most of our customers choose an 8.5”x11” or 8.5”x14” letter and a #10 window or regular envelope. We do offer custom sizes if you have something else in mind.

Can I print my logo and return address on the envelope?

Yes, you can have both printed in either full color or black and white.

Other than the return address, can I put anything else on the outside of the envelope?

Yes, as long as you leave a 2” tall x 4” wide space in the center of the envelope for the address block.

Can both the letter and envelope be personalized with name and address?

Yes, using our Match Mail process, we make sure that the variable information on both the letters and envelopes match up when we are inserting them.

Can I have a live stamp placed on the envelope and still mail at standard mail postage rates?

Yes, we can place a live stamp on the envelope and still mail at discounted postage rates.

If you print my letters and envelopes, will you also insert the letter and address the envelope?

Yes, it is a great idea to have the company that is printing your letters and envelopes also insert and mail them. This way everything moves smoothly through the production process and you save on shipping.

How do I know when my letters will arrive in mailboxes?

Included in all of our letter mail products is Mail Tracker. Mail Tracker uses the United States Post Office Intelligent Mail barcode to track mail throughout the postal system.

Do I need a direct mail permit at the Post Office?

No, when we are mailing your letters, you can use our permit. We will print our permit information on your envelope so it goes through the postal system without issue.

Letter Inserting and Lettershop

We mail 300 letters to potential new clients each month we are considering increasing this number. We current send a letter in a standards #10 envelope & letter. We want to step our first contact with the customer can you help us?

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Excel Printing and Mailing. Yes this is the type of lettershop work we do here and we can help. I will have someone from our sales team contact you today.

Double Sided Vinyl Banners

How big can the banner be?

Our double sided vinyl banners are available at a maximum height of 4.5' but can be as wide as 150'. The most common sizes are 3'x6' , 4'x8' , and 4'x12'.

How durable will the banner be? Can I use it outside?

Our banners are designed for both indoor and outdoor use and are durable enough to communicate your message regardless of where you put them. While all our banner materials are high quality and long lasting, a heavier vinyl weight is likely to lengthen the life of your banner.

Should I use a single or double sided banner?

If the banner is going to be displayed on a non-transparent surface, a single-sided banner is best. If the banner can be displayed using poles, trees, or other means, so that it can be easily viewed from both sides, a double sided banner is ideal. Our double sided banners are printed on 13 oz blockout vinyl. That means light or images from the other side will not show through the banner.

Custom Vinyl Banners

How big can my custom vinyl banner be?

The maximum height for a banner is 5 feet (54 inches). It can be as long as you want up to 150 feet! Common sizes though for custom vinyl banners are 3' x 6', 4' x 8', and 4' x 12'.

How durable will the banner be? Can I use it outside?

Our custom vinyl banners are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. These banners are durable enough to communicate your message of where you put them. While all our banner materials are high quality and long lasting, a heavier vinyl weight is likely to lengthen the life of your banner.

What color options do you have for banners?

All of our banners are printed in full color on white vinyl or mesh. The design is up to you!

Can I use an image or logo on my vinyl banner?

Yes, our custom vinyl banners are photo quality as long as you are using high resolution images like 300 dpi JPEG, PDF, PNG, or EPS formats.

Are any display materials included in my banner order?

Depending on your request, your banner will include brass grommets or pole pockets. Display materials such as ropes, stands, poles, screws, etc. are not included in your order. If you need a stand, check out our banner stands.

Retractable Banners

What is the difference between a Standard Retractable Banner and a Premium Retractable Banner?

The main difference is the base that is used. The Premium Retractable Banner has a wider and heavier base, making it sturdier. The Premium Retractable Banner is recommended if the retractable banner is going to be in high traffic areas like a hallway.

The templates for the retractable banners show a 6” bleed at the bottom. Why?

The bottom 6” of the banner will stay rolled up in the base. It is recommended to have print on the 6” of bleed even though it will not be seen.

I want to put a retractable banner in my waiting room, but I am worried about the toxic smell. Do your retractable banners have a toxic smell?

Not at all! We use nontoxic latex ink to print our Retractable Banners. This means we do not use toxic solvent inks to print, meaning there is no toxic smell.

Are endcaps additional?

Black plastic endcaps are included with the standard retractable banner, and premium retractable banner comes with sleek chrome endcaps that are built into the frame.

Is there a warrantee?

Yes, there is a five-year warrantee on the retractable base under normal use and a one-year warrantee on the installed banner graphic.

Are the retractable banners water resistant?

Yes, our retractable banners are printed with water & U/V resistant latex ink on a 7 mm water resistant Polyester substrate.

Can light pass through the retractable banner?

Our retractable banners are printed on a blockout substrate that is gray backed with an opacity rating of >99%. That mean that less than 1% of light can pass through the retractable banner. This is an ideal substrate for bright areas because the design of your banner will boldly stand out even in the brightest of light.

Is the retractable banner tear resistant?

Yes, our retractable banners are tear resistant and will not “cup” over time.

How much does the retractable banner weigh and does it come with a carrying case?

The premium retractable banner weighs 11 lbs and the standard retractable banner weighs 5 lbs. Both come with a carrying case.

How easy it to set up a retractable banner?

Setting up a retractable banner is easy and can usually be done by one person in 5 minutes or less.

What is the turnaround time for a retractable banner?

With a print-ready design, we will ship your banner within three days after your order is placed.

Poster Printing

What is the standard turnaround time for printing posters?

Poster printing orders usually ship within 2 business days.

Can my posters have bleeds?

Yes our standard bleed for posters is .125” on each side.

Can my posters have a special die cut?

Yes we can kiss / die cut posters for an additional change.

I would like to hang my posters outside, but will the posters hold up in the weather?

We would recommend printing your posters on our 8 mil Polypropylene Blockout Film. We print using water-resistant latex ink, and our Polypropylene Blockout Film is tear-resistant. This printing substrate is perfect for outdoor posters, and they can last years.

How do I hang the posters in my storefront window without using tape?

We can add a window adhesive to the poster that can be easily removed residue-free for up to one year. We recommend printing double-sided posters for use in your storefront window so people on both sides of the window can see it.

Do you print custom poster sizes?

Yes, we can print both standard sizes and custom sizes. We can print up to 54" wide and 150" long. Please request a poster printing quote.

New Mover Marketing

How do you find new movers?

Our new mover mailing list is compiled from deed recordings, changes of address, new phone hook-ups, credit card updates, and more.

How often is the mailing list updated?

Our new mover mailing list is updated weekly.

If I want to mail to new residents monthly, is there a contract?

Our team of new mover marketing specialists can help you reach new residents each month via postcards, brochures, or letters designed for your target audience. There is never a contract to sign. You can cancel at any time.

Can I purchase just the new mover mailing list?

Yes, you can run your own new mover list search, purchase the mailing list and download it instantly at https://excel.dataleadsonline.com/ . There are no sign up or download fees.

What is the difference between a new mover and new homeowner?

A “new resident” or “new mover” may rent or own their home, whereas a “new homeowner” is someone that has purchased their home. In the case of new mover marketing, a “new homeowner” does not necessarily refer to a first time home buyer.

Is there a template for a new mover postcard?

Yes, if you are going to design your own new mover postcard, you can use one of our downloadable templates and download the 5.5x8.8 postcard template. Feel free to contact customer support at 1-877-765-6245 if you have any questions.

Direct Mail

Can I send a direct mail campaign without a mailing list?

If you don’t have a mailing list, no problem! We can either create a free mailing list for your campaign, or you can start an Every Door Direct Mail® campaign, where a mailing list is not needed. With EDDM®, you can instead target every home in specific zip codes or mailing routes.

Is direct mail a better solution than digital marketing?

If you’re promoting a local business, direct mail marketing is the best way to reach your audience in their homes with a tangible, physical mailing piece that they can stick on the fridge or keep for information. Direct mail services are very targeted and help you reach the most relevant people successfully for a noticeable boost in business.

Can direct mail pieces be personalized?

Yes, we can personalize your direct mail marketing pieces however you see fit, whether it’s just using customer names or providing specific offers and messaging to particular customers.

How quickly will my mailers be delivered?

Typically, it takes us 2 to 3 weeks to complete a direct mail campaign from start to finish. Please let us know how soon you need your direct mail advertising to go out, and we can work with you on the most suitable timeline.

Is there a minimum order quantity for bulk mailing?

For discounted postage rates the USPS has a 200 piece minimum. We can take on smaller jobs, but postage will be the full cost of a stamp.

Where do I buy postcards for direct mail?

When you work with our printing and mailing team, there’s no need to find or provide your own postcards for direct mail. Once you’ve sent us your designs (or asked us to design your postcards for you), we’ll print them to any size you need that is approved by the USPS. Our postcards will ensure your mailer looks professional, with a gloss or high-gloss UV coating.

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