With prices set to rise an average of 5.9% on January 26, mailers will need to stretch their postage dollar even farther this year.
For mailers who are willing to make some design changes this year, USPS® is offering some enticing discounts. Each of these mailing promotions is designed to help encourage mailers to try new mail piece designs on a trial basis. Several of these promotions will be available this year, and if you’re prepared, you can recoup some of your mailing budget this year.
Branded Color Mobile Technology Promotion
In February and March this year, Standard and First-Class™ mailers can be eligible for a 2% postage discount under the Branded Color Mobile Technology Promotion. To be eligible, you must be sending a qualified letter, flat or postcard that contains a mobile barcode (like a QR code) that incorporates branding and color in a unique way. There are several ways to design a mobile barcode this way:
- Use more than two colors (other than black, white or gray) in the design of your barcode
- Include your logo or another graphic in the barcode, along with at least one color (other than black white or gray)
- Use an embedded digital watermark, such as an image with embedded information, that a user can scan with their mobile device
Along with the barcode or image itself, you’ll need to include directions for using the barcode with a mobile device. Also, the website that the barcode directs to must be mobile device friendly.
There are a few extra requirements for mailers who want to participate in this program. You’ll need to register for the program in the Incentive Program Service on the Business Customer Gateway, and submit your mailing documentation electronically using Mail.dat, Mail.XML or the Postal Wizard. Only mailings entered between February 1 and March 31 are eligible. You’ll need to supply an unaddressed sample at acceptance to ensure that your design qualifies. You’ll be asked to keep a hard copy or digital representation of your design until June, and to participate in a survey.
More Promotions Coming Later in 2014
Color barcodes are just the start of the potential postage savings. A total of seven short-term promotions are scheduled throughout the year, and each gives mailers an opportunity to save on postage. Here’s a quick summary of the remaining promotions:
- Earned Value Promotion (Apr 1 – Jun 30)
Receive a two or three cent credit for eligible mail returned using Business Reply Mail (BRM) and Courtesy Reply Mail (CRM).
- Premium Advertising Promotion (Apr 1 – Jun 30)
Receive a 15% discount off the First-Class Mail® price for advertising or marketing mail that would qualify for Standard Mail®prices, but is prepared for and receives First-Class Mail service.
- Mail and Digital Personalization Promotion (May 1 – Jun 30)
Receive a 2% discount for First-Class or Standard Mail pieces that have a personalized URL (PURL) and other personalized content, that also points to a personalized web page.
- Emerging Technology Featuring NFC Promotion (Aug 1 – Sept 30)
Receive a 2% discount for Standard Mail pieces with embedded Near Field Communication (NFC).
- Color Print in First-Class Transactions Promotion (Aug 1 – Dec 31)
Receive a 2% discount for First-Class Mail bills and statements with dynamic or variable color ink on the bill or statement.
- Mail Drives Mobile Commerce Promotion (Nov 1 – Dec 31)
Receive a 2% discount for Standard Mail pieces that use a mobile barcode or print technology to direct the device to a mobile-enabled shopping cart or other mobile-enhanced shopping page. Mailers can also receive up to an additional 1% rebate on the orders they fulfill from the mailing using Priority Mail®.