As any large printer can tell you, copalletizing mail yields savings by reducing trucking costs and providing more efficient use of space in transportation required for drop shipping mail to Postal destinations. But there are even deeper discounts that can be realized by commingling mail

To understand how this works, one must understand the difference between copalletization and commingling.

Commingling

To combine mail pieces from two or more different or separately produced mail streams into mail trays.

, mailers can generate postal savings by combining mail pieces, thus increasing the depth of sort that the mail can qualify to, providing an opportunity to drop ship more volume and increase postal discounts. Using commingling, one printer has been able to sort 87% of their mail to SCF destinations with the largest percentage sorted to the 5-digit level. The savings can be as high as $40 per thousand mail pieces.

The USPS provides the best discounts for mail sorted to the 5 digit zip code level, which basically requires a full tray of mail that are all addressed to the same 5 digit zip code. The best way to achieve this kind of qualification is to combine a large amount of mail from two or more different or separately produced mail streams into a single mailing. Commingling answers this need where co-palletizing does not.

Print files for each specific mailing are generally in postal qualification order, based on that specific mailing, and subsequently broken off the inserter in that same order resulting in many trays that are sorted to the 3 digit zip level, AADC level (a combination of 3 digit zip destinations), mixed AADC (basically a mixture of zip codes). This also results in many less than full trays, or “Air Trays” which is a waste of transportation resources. Although all of these trays destined for a single destination can be combined on a pallet, the sortation will not be to the finest level, which means that the maximum postal discounts have not been realized.

The majority of larger printers have invested in sorting equipment to achieve this goal, while smaller operations may elect to use a consolidator or service bureau to perform this function. These consolidators or service bureaus will normally charge a fee per piece for performing the function, but will usually guarantee a depth of sort that allows the printer to realize savings, even after the fees. This allows smaller print operations to realize additional savings without having to invest in sorting equipment.

If you are currently preparing multiple mailings for your customers, you need to investigate commingling. More and more, customers understand the benefit of commingling and it is quickly becoming a requirement for printers to stay competitive.

Does commingling sound like a daunting task? Don’t worry, NPI, the leading supplier of commingling systems in the US, has solutions to your commingling needs. We can help you implement a commingling program in your operation or suggest a consolidator or service bureau in your area. For a no cost analysis of your potential savings please contact Sales@npisorters.com or call 214-634-2288, extension 209.