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Need help, accidentally printed direct mail with UV Coating

by tc154
5 replies
I have a direct mail question. One of my designers placed an order for tens of thousands of postcards. When they came in we noticed that he had placed the order with UV coating on both sides, so our local mailing service can't print the address on them and has to print sticker labels and affix them to the postcards manually. This will cost over $1300 more for the mailing service.
I was looking for another option. I know there is such a thing a UV curable inks, so I may try to find a business in a nearby city (180 miles) that has those on hand and can print the addresses and mail it, but is there such a thing as a machine that prints the mailing labels AND sticks them onto the post cards at the same time?
If there is, it was my plan to call around and ask them if they had such a machine but since I don't know if it exist and what it would be called it would be helpful to find that information out first.
Thank you.
#accidentally #coating #direct #mail #printed
  • Profile picture of the author bob ross
    Unfortunately you have no choice but to have labels printed and stuck to the postcards. The labels will need to have the address info as well as the barcode and postal indicia on them as well.

    I'd expect to probably pay more for the labeling than you paid for the printing unfortunately. Plus your postage may end up higher as well.

    Sucks all around, your designer should have used a printer that had UV inkjetting capability or specified UV on the front alone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    An expensive mistake but remember that all mistakes help you grow. The key is to take this opportunity to refine your processes to address unknowns like this.

    I was part of a training event yesterday and during one of the practices we learned a similar lesson. We had not defined one key point at the end because we had all assumed it was clear. And that point came back to haunt us and caused our team to "mess up".

    The lesson in that was when you get to the real world that you will be better prepared for the unknowns. That you will make sure that plans are clearly defined.

    I believe the key at this point for you in regards to this specific event is to minimize costs. My suggestion is to split the two processes you now need.

    First find a printer that can create all the labels for you as cheaply as possible. Then find low cost staff to actually put them on. Maybe you know someone who needs money who does other misc things for you.

    Myself I have a few guys who I call to do cleaning, shoveling, and other manual labor things when I can't do them myself and the task is not worth hiring a professional. They are lower income friends of mine who I know are always willing to help in exchange for a little extra cash.

    In your situation I would call on a few of them to get this project done. Do you have a similar network you can turn to?
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      You kind of have 3 options... re print the cards. print the stickers and put them on your self, or just pay to get it done.

      From a "Professional" stand point re print the cards. I did the same thing about 2 years ago. There was a lot of effort in the design of the card, and slapping a sticker on it just was not an option. The client was not ever in the loop of the boo boo. Later the client was told, and now that client comes to us for just about everything they do.

      We live in a world where image is everything. There are expectations. When you send out a letter is your address a sticker or pre printed? Ever get a business card with the old # was scratched out and a new one written in? Oh yeah I want to business with you! haha

      There is no right or wrong here. However, the RIGHT thing to do is reprint!
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        oh yeah I forgot... sell the client the "Bad" ones 50 75% off to hand out.
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      • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
        Originally Posted by savidge4 View Post

        There is no right or wrong here. However, the RIGHT thing to do is reprint!
        Depending on the circumstances this could likely be the RIGHT answer. Great post that hammered home the point of being a professional service provider.
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        Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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