Optimize Your Mail with USPS Informed Delivery®

Posted on April 3, 2019 by

What is Informed Delivery?

Informed Delivery is a Postal Service program that sends consumers an email with grayscale images of the mail pieces they will receive in the next day or two. Images are provided of the exterior, address-side of letter sized pieces that are processed and scanned through USPS automated sorting equipment. Images are not currently captured for flats, and some mail may bypass automation and will not be scanned. The images can be viewed via email, an online dashboard or mobile app. Individuals can sign up for the program at https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action. The service is available in most areas of the country, but not for every zip code.

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Postage Increase Implemented January 27th

Posted on January 31, 2019 by

The Chicagoland area (where J&Q is located), and the rest of the Midwest are coming out of the polar vortex – thank goodness! After surviving wind chills as low as -45 to -55 degrees on Wednesday, mailers are also experiencing higher postage rates.

Postage prices increased on January 27, 2019, and J&Q direct mail clients are experiencing a $.007 to $.008 increase per package.

For consumers the price of a First-Class Forever stamp increased from 50 cents to 55 cents – a 10% increase! However, the single-piece additional ounce price was reduced from 21 cents to 15 cents. Heavier packages like wedding invitations will cost less to mail – from 71 cents to 70 cents.

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USPS Brings Back Promotions in 2019

Posted on December 18, 2018 by

After a one year hiatus, the Postal Service® has announced mailing promotions for 2019. For the past few years the Postal Service has offered mailing promotions and price incentives to create awareness for new and innovative uses of mail. Due to the absence of any presidentially-appointed governors, they did not have the authority to establish promotional pricing for 2018.

Now that there are two governors on the board, promotions have been approved for 2019. The promotions “continue to encourage marketers, printers and mailers to utilize new technology and print techniques that enhance the traditional benefits of a physical mail piece.”₁ The hope is that response rates increase, the value of direct and transitional mail will increase, and the volume of mail will rise or remain steady.

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Postage Increase Announced for January 2019

Posted on November 7, 2018 by

Jan 2019 Calendar2

On January 27, 2019 postage prices are going up, and for J&Q direct mail clients we estimate a $.007 to $.008 increase per package. In October the U.S. Postal Service filed a postal rate adjustment with the Postal Regulatory commission (PRC). If approved by the PRC, postage would increase an average of 2.5% for both First-Class and Marketing Mail (previously Standard Class). The PRC is expected to approve the adjustment by November 13.

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Is your Service Provider keeping your data safe? Are you sure?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by

 

Data Security Padlock

With so many security breaches at major companies in the United States and around the world, and the implementation of GDPR in Europe (European Unions’ privacy regulations), security has become a top concern in corporate boardrooms. How do we keep sensitive information safe from hackers who are persistently working to infiltrate computer networks (both corporate and personal networks at home) to steal identities, social media accounts, financial, health and other valuable personal information? It’s not enough to just say you have this data secured; you must be able to prove it.

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Manish Haria Promoted to VP of IT and Security

Posted on September 12, 2018 by

IMG_0744 Manish Cropped

Security is a big deal at Johnson & Quin. We process and print millions of records each year and most contain PII – Personally Identifiable Information – like names, addresses and other identifying pieces of information. Because security of data is critical to marketing communications, having the expertise to stay up-to-date with necessary processes, certifications and systems is essential. Manish Haria who has been with J&Q for 18 years was recently promoted to Vice President of IT and Security, and he will help us stay at the forefront of security and processing.

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J&Q Continues Innovation with Addition of SCREEN High-Speed Inkjet Press

Posted on June 20, 2018 by

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Johnson & Quin was recently featured in a press release from SCREEN Americas regarding the installation of the new Truepress Jet520NX inkjet press. This is J&Q’s second high-speed solution in just 3 years from SCREEN Americas, a long-time graphic arts equipment manufacturer.

With over 140 years in the printing business, J&Q has proven that innovation is key to staying ahead of the competition. J&Q’s executive vice president, Bob Arkema, explains: “We installed SCREEN’s Truepress Jet520ZZ 3 years ago, which revolutionized direct mail production for J&Q and our clients. It has enabled us to provide high quality personalization in color, combine versions in one print run, decrease postage and production costs and reduce schedules for our clients.”

“Now, with the new NX, we can offer high quality color personalization on heavier 12 pt paper stocks for postcards and self mailers,” he said.

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J&Q Welcomes Jim Onorato to Sales Team

Posted on May 31, 2018 by

Jim Onorato LI Image

Jim Onorato has recently joined J&Q and our Sales Team as National Sales Director. Jim will be responsible for new business development and fostering relationships with accounts in a variety of vertical markets throughout the country. He has extensive experience working with corporate clients in a variety of industries to develop strategic marketing plans for printing and direct mail programs. Jim has developed practical, cost-effective marketing solutions that meet client response and financial objectives. We look forward to the expertise and marketing solutions that Jim can provide for J&Q’s clients.

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Postal Rates and a Bit of History

Posted on March 29, 2018 by

 

 

 

 

Running pony logo used by the U.S. Post Office Department before the creation of the USPS.

If you are in the direct mail business you know that postage rates increased in January with First Class stamps now 50 cents.

Did you know that the U.S. Mail first began in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed the first postmaster general during the Second Continental Congress? When the Constitution was ratified in 1788, Congress was given the power “To establish Post Offices and Post Roads” – and the official Post Office Department was created.

The first postage rates were signed into law by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. Different rates were charged based on distance and weight, making the postage process complicated and often expensive.

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Postal Price Increase Coming in January 2018

Posted on November 30, 2017 by

Postage stamps indicias lower res

Here we go again – another USPS price increase is coming up in January. The Postal Service filed its 2018 postage rate proposals in October with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). The PRC has approved the price increases, and they will take effect on January 21, 2018.

Our clients, direct marketers who mail thousands and millions of packages each year, are interested in the Market Dominate Product increases which include First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail (formerly known as Standard). The average increase for First-Class and Marketing Mail is about 1.9%. Prices for individual sortation and entry points can vary from no change up to a 2.47% increase.

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