About Direct Mail Products

Direct mail products are a type of multi-record (batch) Variable Data Product (VDP). These products are mailed to recipients included in a database. Some steps that you complete for a direct mail product are the same as for any multi-record VDP, but some are unique to direct mail products.

Note: Direct mail products are for U.S. based customers only. Some direct mail products may let you "opt out" to cease being included in future mailings (as with other multi-record VDP mailings).

When you order a direct mail product, a mailing list may be one of the following:

A CSV file of names and addresses that you upload.
An Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) list that is generated for selected postal routes.
A list that you purchase.
Your company address book.
A multi-column dataset (MCD) – a list supplied by the print shop.

During the order process you provide a mailing date, select the print shop from where the job is being mailed, and Process the mailing list. Processing involves:

Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) certification which ensures addresses are complete and correct.
National Change of Address (NCOA) updates to check for changes in United States addresses.
A check for duplicate addresses. CASS certification, NCOA updates, and checks for duplicate addresses do not apply when you use EDDM because the addresses are already validated and "clean".
Presorting the validated list for reduced United States Postal Service (USPS) mailing rates.
The calculation of the postage cost, based on factors such as the size and weight of each piece, quantity, location of print shop, and addresses in the list.

Note: If you change any print options after processing the mailing list, you will need to re-process it as the changes may affect postage costs.

A direct mail product must always be checked out individually. You cannot check out a direct mail product with any other products or with another direct mail product.