December 2008
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Vol 1, Issue 5
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| Welcome to the 2008 Holiday PS Insider! |
Production Solutions wishes you the happiest of holidays
and thanks you for a wonderful 2008!We hope you will take a moment to read this month's
features, and give us a call to discuss your green
production options!
This year, our offices will be closed on December 25th & 26th as well as January 1st & 2nd.
May the New Year bring you success! |
In these tough economic times...
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...It is our obligation to help those in need.
Having said that, Production Solutions has taken the liberty
of forgoing a holiday gift to each of our clients in order to provide a donation... on your behalf... to the National Capital Area Food Bank so that our brothers and sisters may eat.
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Facts for December |
 Soy and Water Based Inks:
Two Earth-Friendly Choices
Did you know that water-based inks are just as environmentally friendly as soy-based inks, and that they are better for some print jobs? Both soy and water based inks are less toxic than traditional petroleum-based inks. Compared to traditional inks, they emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC), can provide more paper coverage per pound of ink, and are easier to recycle. Soy inks work well in most printing applications but they do have limitations. For example, water-based inks are better alternatives for flexographic and non-heatset printing. At PS, we offer both soy and water-based inks as alternatives to conventional petroleum-based inks, specifically for large runs of return envelopes. Just ask us for the environmentally friendly ink option that will work best for your print job. Whatever colors your inks are, you'll know they are always green! |
Paper Chain of Custody:
Three Logos, One Common Purpose |
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 The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes(PEFC) are three distinct organizations with the same goal: to promote sustainable forestry practices and provide auditing and certification of forests.
FSC and SFI operate in North America and both organizations certify forests. Certified forests employ sustainable growth, responsible harvesting and ethical labor practices, among other certification requirements. PEFC is international, and is an umbrella organization which endorses forest certifiers. PEFC certifications apply primarily to papers imported from Europe.
Chain of custody certification means that each step from forest to printed product complies with accounting and systems standards set by one or more of these organizations. Recycled fiber can't be traced back to a certified forest, but it can be mixed with fiber from a certified forest to earn chain of custody certification.
PS uses a variety of chain of custody certified printers. Please ask us about using certified or recycled paper. We can help you choose the right paper for your needs.
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| The PS Office Goes Green |
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Here at PS, green is not just for the holiday season! We're doing all we can to have a positive impact on our environment. Some of our larger initiatives are to encourage the use of environmentally friendly inks and sustainably harvested and recycled paper products. We work with printing and mailshop partners who are striving to make their operations more energy and resource efficient. For example, we have partners who operate their plants using wind power.
Unusable print overages are recycled, and we recommend that our clients use leftover inventory whenever possible both as a cost savings measure, and to reduce and reuse. We're also encouraging our clients to consider printing a "please recycle" message on their mailings.
We work green in small ways, too. We've done the basics, like recycling office wastepaper, and using sustainably harvested or recycled paper in our office equipment. We've also made the switch to eco lighting. There are no more disposable cups in our kitchen; we're using coffee mugs and water glasses instead. We've begun a telecommuting program, reducing emissions and gas usage. We're just getting started!
Our clients' commitment to environmentally responsible direct mail management inspires us everyday. We're proud to partner with you on the leading edge of "greening" the mail.
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| Did you know? The PS December Quiz |
 Paper products can be recycled, generated into new paper products,
and recycled again. On average, how
many times can a paper product be recycled and generated into a new paper product?
A. 2-4 times B. 5-7 times
C. 8-10 times D. 11-15 time
The first person to e-mail the correct answer to Patrick McVean at PMcVean@psmail.com will win a restaurant gift card. | |
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| Quick Links |
Production Solutions
USPS
earth911
A source for recycling information.
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| USPS Non-Profit Status Regulation Update
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The USPS has updated the regulations for mailing with Non-Profit Status, moving to a universal authorization number for each non-profit organization. The USPS formerly required that non-profits maintain a separate authorization number at each Post Office where mail entry occurred.
The requirement to mail at least once every two years at the original Post Office has also been changed. Now the requirement is simply to mail at least once every two years under the universal authorization number. (See DMM 703, 1.11.4)
Please check with your Production Solutions contact if you have any questions about the new regulations.
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Cost Savings Corner...Keep it Clean!
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List Hygiene, the USPS Move Update Penalty and You
Don't mail dirty! There's an easy way for you to save money on your mailings while "mailing green" and complying with the new USPS Move Update requirements that went into effect on November 23. Clean your list! There are some simple, low cost things you can do immediately to improve your list hygiene.
· Run your list against the National Change of Address Registry (NCOA) to correct the
addresses of people who may have moved.
· Update your list with the new addresses of anyone who may have notified you of a
move.
· Run your list through Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) software to make sure
the addresses you are using are in the USPS standard format.
· If you keep a "do not mail" file in-house, remove those names from your list on a
regularly scheduled basis.
· Investigate using other "do not mail" registries such as the one maintained by the
Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
· If you are already in compliance, fill out a USPS 6014 form and keep it on file at
Production Solutions (we can help you do this, see the quick note at the end of
this article)
There are compelling reasons for good list hygiene. These are just a few:
· Mailing pieces that can't be delivered hurts your bottom line.
· Producing undeliverable mail is bad for the environment.
· The USPS is going to begin imposing fines of $.07 per Standard rate piece on mailers
who have not complied with the Move Update requirements in May 2009. For mailings
entered as presorted/discounted First Class, the non-compliant mailing will be charged
at the full First Class rate.
The USPS fine will be imposed on all pieces in the mailing, not just on those with bad addresses. To be in compliance, mailers must update addresses in their lists a minimum of 95 days before each mailing. Undeliverable mail increases your costs (the USPS fines alone will cost $.07 per piece!) and lowers your response rate.
And now for a word on USPS form 6014... There has been some confusion in the industry about whether or not this form is needed. At PS, we are advising our clients to complete the 6014. Verification of Move Update compliance is needed when the USPS asks for it on any discounted mailing. Form 6014, which need only be completed once a year and can be kept on file for you here at PS, is the most convenient method of providing the verification. Only full First Class rate mailings are exempt from the Move Update requirements.
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Thank you again for choosing Production Solutions as a partner for your direct marketing needs!
Sincerely,
Patrick McVean
Production Solutions |
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