Direct Mail Printing Companies in 2009 - List of Companies

People often write me and ask which direct mail printing companies I recommend, and why. But this is a hard question to answer across the board, because it depends on what kind of services you need.

Generally speaking, direct mail companies offer a wide range of services. But the range of services will vary from one company to the next. For example, some specialize in postcards only while others offer a full range of fulfillment services (letters, flyers, postcards, letter kits, etc.).

If you're looking for postcard printing companies in particular, then you'll find my recommendation at the top and side of every page on this website. If you're looking for a company that offers a complete set of direct mail services, please refer to the list below.

A List of Direct Mail Printers

I am not necessarily endorsing the direct mail services on this list. I'm just listing them all in one place for your convenience. I recommend that you choose a handful of the printing companies listed below, and then compare them based on pricing and the types of services they offer.

• 48 Hour Print — www.48hourprint.com
  
• Cactus Mailing Company — www.cactusmailing.com
  
• Direct Mail Center — www.directmailctr.com
  
• Express Copy — www.expresscopy.com
  
• Impact Mailing and Fulfillment — www.impactmailing.com
• KD Mailing — www.kdmailing.com
• Print Mail Pro — www.printmailpro.com
• Prints Made Easy — www.printsmadeeasy.com
  
• PS Print — www.psprint.com
• Red Clay Media — www.redclaymedia.com
  
• Ship Shapes — www.shipshapes.net

Printing Companies Vary - Do Your Homework

What's in a name? When it comes to direct mail printing companies, you would be surprised at how much one company differs from another. Many of them refer to themselves as "full-service" printers offering "comprehensive" fulfillment services. But what does this really mean?

If a direct mail company is truly a one-stop shop, then it must provide everything needed to create and manage a mailing campaign. In order to meet this definition, printing companies must offer the following:

• Account managers to help with your order
• Addressing and labeling
• Full-color digital and/or offset printing
• Graphic design support
• Mailing list and data services
• Marketing advice and expertise
• Postal sorting and delivery
• Variable data technology
• Wide range of print products (self-mailers, postcards, letters, business-reply, etc.)

In other words, direct mail printing companies that call themselves "full service" must offer everything you need to create and deliver a successful mailing. In reality, however, there are few companies that provide everything on the list above. Some specialize in postcards but do not offer other formats. Some use offset printing designed for larger runs, but lack an affordable option for small orders. Some only handle the printing side of things, but have no design support to speak of. You get the idea.

So your first step is to make a list of everything you need from a direct mail printer. Next, you would compile a list of companies that offer these things (use the one I've provided above to get started). Lastly, you would research the company's pricing, expertise, etc.

If you would like to learn more about direct mail printing companies and the services they offer, visit the main website and use the search tool at the top of the site.

Good luck and good marketing!

-Brandon

Direct Mailing Service in the Spotlight

As a former employee of a direct mailing service, and as somebody who still uses these services to this day, I've tried quite a few direct mailing companies over the years. I would say a half-dozen or so.

Once in a while, I'll come across a company who is doing something unique or special in some way. Typically, this means simplifying the direct mailing process.

Because let's face it. At the end of the day, all of these services can get your postcards into the mailboxes of your audience. But where they really differ is in the convenience and simplicity department.

This is especially true with the new breed of web-based direct mailing services. Some are hard to use, while others are a breeze. It's a combination of website usability, offering useful web-based tools, and still having an effective direct mailing system that gets the job done.

Overnight Prints has been done a lot to make their web-based direct mail service easy to use. That's why I'm happy to recommend them for your further research and consideration.

Check them out today:


Good luck and good marketing!

-Brandon

Brand Imitation - Flattery of Laziness?

I wanted to share a new section of my postcard marketing website that I was forced to create recently. I thought at the least you would find it amusing ... or maybe saddening, I don't know.

I won't go into much detail here because it's all spelled out in the story linked below, and I don't want to tarnish this blog with any kind of negativity. But click the button below to read this partly amusing, partly pathetic story about sheer laziness and spitefulness of a postcard marketing vendor.

Direct Mail Fulfillment - A Breakdown

What is direct mail fulfillment, where can I get it, and how much does it cost? These are common questions among those who are entering the world of direct mail marketing.

But "fulfillment" is a broad word with many different applications. So in order to choose a direct mail fulfillment providers, you must first understand the many different elements of direct mail fulfillment. Then you can make a list of those elements you need (such as online postcard printing or variable data printing) and proceed to research companies who offer those things.

To make that research and screening process easier for you, we have assembled a list (and explanation) of the common services offered by direct mail fulfillment companies. Using this list, you can go on to create your own checklist to use when selecting a direct mail provider.

Here's the article:
Direct Mail Fulfillment Guide

On this same subject, you might also want to review our Direct Mail Resource Center.

Good luck and good marketing!

-Brandon

Online Postcard Printing - A Process Overview

How do online postcard printing services work? How much of the process actually takes place online? Is it really as easy as they make it seem?

These are some of the questions I've received in the past, pertaining to web-based postcard printing companies. So I thought, "Why not outline the basic process of online postcard printing so everyone can understand it better?"

Ta-dah! I've done just that, and it's posted in a new article in the Postcard Basics section of the website.

Read the Article:
Online Postcard Printing - Process Overview

There's a similar article on the website that addresses the convenience factor of these companies. I hope you find these articles helpful in your quest for postcard marketing knowledge. If you think I've left anything out, be sure to drop me a line.

Good luck and good marketing!

-Brandon

Direct Mail Fulfillment Guide

What all is involved in direct mail fulfillment? Do all direct mail companies offer similar types of direct mail fulfillment? Is there a particular fulfillment option I need to ask about up front, when screening direct mail companies?

These are just a few of the questions I've tried to answer in a direct mail fulfillment guide, just posted on the site. {Go there}

What's Included:

• What is direct mail fulfillment?
• The various types of fulfillment, to include:
• Planning and strategy
• Copywriting support
• Mailing lists
• List certification
• Digital printing
• Offset printing
• Variable data printing
• Folding / finishing
• Mailing services
• Check it out
  

Hope you find this guide useful. On the same subject, you may also want to visit my list of direct mail marketing resources.

Good luck and good marketing!

~Brandon