How to Print Direct Mail

Using Direct Mail is an excellent method of reaching both new and existing customers. Everyone loves receiving mail, so you are almost guaranteed to have your message seen by the intended recipient, as opposed to email, which may or may not be opened. Using direct mail to send print materials does not have to be a complicated process. In fact, it can be quite easy. Keep reading to learn how to print direct mail.

Things You'll Need

• Sales Copy (Text)
• Layout Software
• Print Shop
• Mailing List

Instructions

How to Print Direct Mail

1. Decide what type of print material you would like to send by direct mail. You could send a simple letter, a post card, a catalog, a brochure or any number of printed materials. Determining what materials will best express your message to the audience you want to reach is the first task to accomplish when planning a direct mail campaign.

2. Write your sales copy. Copy refers to the text that appears on the materials that you print for direct mail. It is always a good idea to write your sales copy first. It is also a good idea to write extra copy, knowing that you may have to trim it down just to make sure you have plenty of material to work from. Also make a note of the main buzz words and bullet points that should be stressed to anyone reading your mail.

3. Design your layouts. You will need to use a layout software program such as Quark Xpress to create the layouts for your direct mail print materials. These layouts will blend your sales copy with images, and put them in a format that is designed to fit into the type of materials that you selected during Step 1. If you do not have the ability to create this style of layouts, you can find freelance layout designers or your local print shop should be able to make recommendations to local people who can design your layouts. Hiring online freelancers is generally cheaper, but hiring locally gives you the ability to sit down next to the person to work on the design together.

4. Obtain a mailing list. It is helpful to obtain the mailing list before you go to print, so that you will know precisely how many copies to print and mail. There are several methods of obtaining a mailing list. You can mail items to your existing customers, you can rent access to a mailing list from a direct mail specialist or you can even buy mailing lists outright. There are many options available. You generally want to try to obtain targeted lists so that the recipient is more likely to take an interest in what you are sending.

5. Print your direct mail materials. Most cities will have at least one print shop, usually more, who can professionally print your direct mail items. There are a number of choices you will make at this stage that will determine the price of your printing. The number of items being mailed, the quality of the paper, the amount of color ink, etc, will all determine the price. The sales representative at the print shop can discuss the available options and help you come up with a print order that has a good impact without busting your budget.

6. Mail your items. This is just as easy as it sounds. You can either apply address labels and postage to the items you printed, or you can arrange to have the printer mail them for you. The first choice adds a little extra work to your direct mail job. The second makes things easier for you, but will carry an extra cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Existing customers have the best chance of generating a response from your direct mail campaign, so always give them priority and mail to them first.