Mailing Options

Our pricing for Big Fish DPI "STANDARD" services for client supplied database files includes inkjet addressing the fields for the business name and/or the recipients first and last name, street address, city, state and zip code. To qualify for our standard pricing, you must have at least 1000 mail pieces. However, most mailing lists include extra fields other than the standard ones above. If you want any additional fields other than the ones we consider standard, you must advise us as such with your order. Big Fish DPI is not responsible for items provided in a client supplied address datafile, that fall outside what we declare as STANDARD fields to be inkjet addressed, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY ADVISED TO DO SO IN THE CLIENTS ORDER WHEN THE CLIENT PLACES THEIR ORDER.

SERVICES

Standard Mailing Service for POSTCARDS includes:
CASS certify data, inkjet address onto postcard with our pre-printed indicia (from 4.25"x6" to 6"x11" Postcard), sort bar coded list for either pre-sorted first-class or pre-sorted standard rates, tray and deliver to U.S. post office.

Standard Mailing Service for SELF MAILERS includes:
CASS certify data, inkjet address onto 8.5"x3.67" self mailer or 8.5"x5.5" self mailer with pre-printed indicia, affix one translucent wafer seal to open end at top, sort bar coded list for either pre-sorted first-class or pre-sorted standard rates, tray and deliver to U.S. post office.

Standard Mailing Service for CATALOGS 8.5” x 11” finished size includes:
CASS certify data, inkjet address onto 8.5"x11" flat size mailer with pre-printed indicia, sort bar-coded list for either pre-sorted first-class or pre-sorted standard rates, tray and deliver to US Post Office.

Standard Mailing Service for CATALOGS 8.5” x 5.5” finished size includes:
CASS certify data, inkjet address onto 8.5"x5.5" flat size mailer with pre-printed indicia, affix two translucent wafer seals to open end at top, sort bar coded list for either pre-sorted first-class or pre-sorted standard rates, tray and deliver to U.S. post office.

APPROVED DESIGNS

According to postal regulations, you must leave a 4" x 2" of open space on the side of your direct mail piece that has the postage and addressing area. This area is the bottom right quadrant of your mailing piece. Please measure 4" from the right hand side of the direct mail piece going towards the left hand side of the mailer piece, and 2.625" from the bottom of the direct mail piece and measuring up towards the top of the mailer piece. This open area is what the USPS requires for addressing and also bar coding information to ensure you are capturing maximum automated postage discounts. This 4" x 2" open area can be a very light color background or screened back image, so long as it does not obstruct the address copy or bar coding information which is done in black inkjet ink. You will also need to include a 1” x 1” white box to be used by Big Fish DPI and our indicia or mail permit number. This information will be added (our name not shown on mailing) when mail is addressed.

If your mailing piece is a self mailer that includes folding, please make sure to design the piece so that when it is folded to its finished size, the postage indicia is at the top of the mailer on the open end, and opposite of the end that is folded. The reason that this layout parameter must be followed, is because the bar coding that we inkjet onto your direct mail piece must be located at the bottom of the piece, opposite of the postage indicia, so that it can be run through the USPS mailing equipment. This is the only way to secure your maximum postage discounts, using bar coding to decrease your overall postage cost per piece. Wafer seals are mandatory on folded self mailers, so that it stays shut while being run through USPS mailing equipment.

POSTAGE

At Big Fish DPI we utilize the latest software technologies to capture and sort your data to get you the best postage rate. It is very important to use a reputable company to process your mail so that you get the best rates available. The cost for postage is determined by 1) the size & weight of the piece, and 2) the saturation/concentration of your mailing to zip codes. The more pieces you have going to similar zip codes, the cheaper your mailing is going to be. That is why a mailing of 5,000 pieces, which all goes to zip code 28227, is going to cost much less per piece than the same size and quantity mailing to thousands of different zip codes across the USA.

What is the price difference between doing First Class or Standard Pre-Sort/Bulk?

If you are mailing postcards up to the size of 4.25"x6" First Class Automation
- Your postage price will be $0.220 per piece.

If you are mailing postcards above 4.25"x6" & up to 6.125"x11" First Class Automation
- Your postage price will be $0.360 per piece.

If you are mailing postcards above 4.25"x6" & up to 6.125"x11" Standard Automation
- Your postage price will be $0.252 per piece.

If you are mailing self mailers below 3.3 ounces Standard Automation
- Your postage price will be $0.252 per piece.

If you are mailing self mailers below 3.3 ounces First Class Automation
- Your postage price will be $0.360 per piece.

PAYING FOR POSTAGE

Big Fish does not add a profit margin to postage. We charge you exactly what the post office says it will be based on the piece you are mailing and the mailing list that you use. The post office requires the postage payment in advance prior to processing your mail. If paying by credit card we will apply an 8% surcharge due to the fees that Mastercard/Visa charges for processing. If paying by check, you may pay Big Fish DPI directly and we will in turn write a check to the post office. Big Fish cannot offer terms for any reason on postage payments, and will require your check or credit card payment prior to mailing.

DELIVERY TIMELINES

USPS states that once they have received your postage and your mailing, that the turnaround times are as follows:

Presort First Class 1 to 3 days delivery (Monday-Friday)
Standard Presort/Bulk 3 to 10 days delivery (Monday-Fiday)

Deciding whether to send your mailing First Class or Standard is a significant part of your decision when deciding your budget, and deadline parameters. If the final destination delivery of your mailing is TIME SENSITIVE, we strongly recommend that you send your mailing First Class.

Once a job is delivered to the post office, this completes Big Fish DPI's responsibility and completely fulfills our contractual obligation with your order. Big Fish DPI is in no way liable for your mailing once it leaves our hands and the final destination delivery becomes the responsibility of the USPS. Big Fish DPI cannot provide any discounts or refunds due to failure of the USPS to deliver any mailings.

NON-PROFIT INDICIA

If you have your own non-profit mailing indicia, we can use your indicia and you will still get the Big Fish DPI discounts on the postage. Any organization currently authorized to mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates at one post office may obtain authorization to mail at those rates at an additional mailing office. You may use USPS form PS Form 3623 - Application for Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates at Additional Mailing Office. Once approved by the USPS, you will get the same great postal discounts you are accustomed to.

Once you fill out PS Form 3623, please send it to Big Fish DPI and we will submit to our local post office for approval. This process can take between 3 to 17 days, so please plan ahead. Once the approval has been given this will allow us to handle all your mailing needs and get you the same low discounts you are accustomed to as a registered Nonprofit organization.

For your convenience, we have also included the following link for you to review (Non Profit Standard Mail Eligibility) from the USPS, that describes the eligibility requirements to becoming a Nonprofit Standard Mailing Indicia holder, thus giving your considerable postal discounts. If you have any doubts or are looking for Nonprofit discount status, please review this document supplied by the USPS.

A FINAL WORD

It is very important that you plan ahead and understand the entire mailing process from design on the front end, to the USPS delivery timelines on the back end, and everything in between. If you need help in this planning process, please contact our your Big Fish sales rep at 888. 545.2570 for assistance.