Finding new ways to combat the rising costs of mailing.

In 2023, mailers have a handful of ways to save significantly on postage costs.
Mailing Services Staff Writer Pitney Bowes
12/15/2022 Postage Savings

One opportunity for postage savings is to presort your mail by Zip code density. Doing this in advance of handing your mail off to the USPS® provides the opportunity to receive postage discounts. The more mail destined for each Zip code, the larger the discount. Pitney Bowes Presort Services makes this easy. As the second largest mailer in the world and the #1 workshare partner of the USPS®; we process more mail than any other presort provider nationwide. This helps our clients take advantage of the greatest possible volume-based savings. And we make it easy too. Simply put your mail in trays and we take it from there:

  1. Pick up the mail at your facility
  2. Quality check for address quality and weight
  3. Commingle and sort the mail by Zip code 
  4. Induct your mail into the USPS network
  5. Facilitate accounting/budgeting, reporting and tracking

The second opportunity is to take advantage of USPS promotions.The USPS offers annual incentive programs that offer postage savings to mailers for innovations in mail piece creativity and interactivity. Read on to learn how to maximize your savings potential by combining your everyday presort savings with limited-time USPS promotions.

Why does the USPS offer annual promotions?

The USPS wants to encourage mailers to continue using mail as a channel. To help drive usage, they offer significant financial incentives for innovation. Why? Because the more creative and novel your mail piece is, the more successful it is likely to be.

Can I take advantage of USPS promotions if I also presort my mail?

Yes! Anyone can save with USPS promotions, no matter what other discounts you may already receive. Simply ensure your mail piece adheres to the promotion terms and conditions, and you follow the appropriate steps to qualify.

How do I qualify for a USPS promotion?

There are two steps needed to qualify for a promotion.

1. If required, get your mail piece pre-approved by the USPS: You can do this by going to the Promotions section of the USPS website. The USPS guidebooks and requirement documents will direct you to the appropriate promotion office for approval.

Enroll in the relevant program: Some promotions require registration. Visit the Incentive Programs section of the USPS Business Customer Gateway to find out more.

If you are a client of Pitney Bowes with a pre-approved mail piece, speak with your Client Relationship Manager about any needed registration.

What USPS promotions are available for 2023?

First-Class Mail®only:

  • Personalized Color Transpromo

    • Feb 1 - Jul 31

    Includes the addition of color marketing messages on First-Class mail. The mailer receives a larger discount by including Courtesy Reply Mail or Business Reply Mail.

  • Retargeting

    • Sept 1 – Nov 30

    Applies to First-Class Post Cards only, promotion is for post cards mailed in connection with website or app behavior such as abandoned shopping carts.

First-Class Mail®and Marketing Mail®:

  • Tactile, Sensory & Interactive
    Feb 1 - July 31
    Includes innovations in paper stock, substrates, inks, interactive elements, and finishing techniques.
  • Emerging & Advanced Technology
    May 1 - Nov 30
    Includes emerging technologies such as enhanced augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual reality, NFC, video in print, and mail integration with voice assistants. This includes pieces that formerly qualified for the Mobile Barcode Promotion. The mailer will receive a larger discount for using enhanced technologies.
  • Informed Delivery
    Aug 1 - Dec 31
    Includes Informed Delivery campaigns created via the USPS Portal or submitted via eDoc submission
  • Reply Mail IMbA (Intelligent Mail barcode Accounting)Jul 1 – Dec 31

    • Discount offered on Reply Mail. The mailer will receive a larger discount if reply pieces are serialized.

Is there a quick reference for all of this information that I can download and print?

Absolutely. At Pitney Bowes, we make it easy for you to keep all of your savings options top of mind with a handy Field Guide to USPS Promotions. Download your copy here (no form required)

What if my question wasn’t answered in this blog post?

If you’re a Presort Services client, the easiest way to get quick answers to any mailing question is to reach out to your Client Relationship Manager. Not a client yet? Simply click here and we’ll be in touch.

By reading this post, you’ve already taken the first step to maximizing your postage savings. Take the next step by contacting Pitney Bowes to discuss your plans. We’ll help ensure your newly designed mail piece meets all the necessary requirements to qualify for a USPS promotion.