Frequently Asked Questions - Production
Can I print postcard with magnets?
Printing and sending magnets on postcards is our speciality. We print the postcards, print the magnets and then combine them together, with spot glue or lamination, to be sent out as a direct mail piece at bulk mail rates.
What is your standard production time?
Normal production time is 8-12 days after proof approval. From receipt of artwork until the proof is ready for review usually takes 48-72 hours. Please factor in the time it takes to prepare and then receive proof approval in the total production time.
Production time may be longer on orders of 25,000 or 50,000 pieces. Please contact us to confirm before scheduling mail dates.
What happens during the production process?
After proof approval the postcards and magnets are printed, separately. After they dry, the postcard are trimmed and the magnets are die cut to size. A third machine seals or spot glues the magnet to the postcard. Finally, the postcards are addressed, sorted and trayed for mailing, or boxed and stacked for shipping.
Can you bill my shipping account?
Yes, third party billing incurs a $5 charge per order.
What are the product specs?
The standard paper stock used in 14 point and it is coated with a 2 mil poly laminate.
The paperstock for the manga-fold postcard is 80lb cover.
Can I print less than 250 pieces?
Sorry, but 250 pieces is the absolute minimum for magnet mailers. However, just the 3.5” x 4” magnets may be ordered at a minimum quantity of 100 pieces.
What are the final material specs for the postcard and magnet?
Postcard Printing: The postcards are manufactured from a printed and laminated sheet. Final postcard stock thickness: 14 point, which includes being coated with a 2 mil poly laminate.
Magnet Printing: Magnets are manufactured from a printed flexible magnetic sheet and laminated. Final magnet thickness: 25 mil.
Can produce custom sized magnets?
Yes, we have a huge selection of standard shapes available, and we can also create custom shape magnets. Provide us the details on your vision and we will be happy to help accommodate.
What magnet mailer postcard sizes are available?
Our standard product size is 8.5” x 5.25”. The smallest size we can produce is 5” x 4.25”. The largest size we can produce is 8.5” x 10.875”. The largest size magnet we can attach to a postcard is 4” x 6”.
How does the magnetic peel off (Magna-Peel) postcard work?
The magnet is attached to the postcard with multiple dots of fugitive glue. Fugitive glue is the same type of glue used on the fake credit cards that you may have received in the mail. However, because of the lamination used on our postcards the glue comes off cleanly and completely, without leaving residue on the postcard or the magnet.
Frequently Asked Questions - Mailing
Mailing:
Can you mail magnets?
Yes, you can mail magnets. We can attach magnets to postcard with fugitive glue, or under a laminate seal. All of our products are approved by the Post Office and are safe for mailing.
How is your product classified for maiilng?
Our magnet mailers are classified as a letter or flat. They mail at automation rates, but are not automation compatible.
How much does it cost to mail a magnet mailer postcard?
Current postage rates for mailing a magnet mailer are:
Standard Bulk Mail: $0.273 (200 piece minimum)
First Class bulk mail: $0.414 (500 piece minimum)
Nonprofit bulk mail: $0.19Postage rates would be less for saturation or high-density mailings. Magnet mailers also qualify for entry level discounts.
How can I mail at the nonprofit rate?
Yes, if you are a nonprofit organization. To send your magnet mailers out at the nonprofit rate, you must have received authorization from the Post Office for your nonprofit organization.
The Post Office also requires that we provide the following paperwork:
1. A signed letter of intent on your company letterhead authorizing us to send out the mailer through your nonprofit authorization.
2. We will also need fields 1-6 filled on the form 3623, including a signature.
Please e-mail or fax copies of both of these documents to ryan@postcardmagnet.com or 866-298-7106.
Can you just address the mailing then ship it back to me?
Yes, we can address, sort and tray you order, and prepare the necessary postal paperwork (such as the 3602) and then send everything back to you so you can take it to your local Post Office for mailing. This is the required method if you want to use your own indicia or bulk mail permit on the piece.
Do you run NCOA?
Yes, this service is provided free of charge.
Can you remove duplicates for my mailing list?
Yes, this service costs $75.00
Can I buy a mailing list from you?
Yes, we sell clean, high deliverability mailing lists. Please e-mail us with the zip codes and who you want to deliver to, for example, “businesses” or “homeowners” or “households with children” in zip 99999. Almost any criteria is available for searching.
We will provide with you with a spreadsheet of mailing data and a cost for your review and approval before purchase. Most address only lists are $0.02 per name for one-time use. Lists generated with additional search criteria are usually $0.04 per name.
Can I provide the mailing list for addressing?
Yes, the list must be in an Excel compatible format and follow the criteria below. Please send the mailing list to:bulkmail@postcardmagnet.com
What format do I need to provide the mailing list in?
The mailing list can only be processed in an excel compatible format. The data must be divided into separate columns at follows:
The list cannot be processed for mailing unless these items are in separate columns.
We are limited to only “Address 1” and “Address 2” columns.
For alumni mailings please put the class year in a separate column from the name.
Can you mail to international addresses?
Yes, to provide an accurate quote, please provide us with a complete mailing list for review. We will process the list and provide an all-inclusive estimate for international bulk mail.
Please provide a separate spreadsheet for national and international addresses. Please do not combine the addresses into one master list.
Can you attach a magnet to a postcard?
Yes, we can attach the magnet to the postcard under a seal of laminate, referred to as the Magna-Seal postcard. Or we can spot glue the magnet to the postcard, using fugitive glue, which we refer to as the Magna-Peel postcard. Both options allow you to send a magnet through the mail.
Will the magnet come off in the mail?
Our magnet mailers have been thoroughly tested and passed the United States Post Office approval process. The magnet will stay attached and be safely delivered to the recipient's home.
Can I send a magnet bulk mail?
A magnet cannot be sent through the mail by itself. To send a magnet in the mail it has to either be attached to a postcard, or sent in an envelope. Our complete postcard magnet mailers can be sent at the bulk mail rates.
Can we use your bulk mail permit?
Yes, you can use our bulk mail permit to mail your magnet postcards. We can add the permit to the artwork when we prepare the proof for review.
Frequently Asked Questions - Artwork
Artwork:
What file format should the artwork be provided in?
The preferred file format is a press quality PDF (300 dpi).
Please include bleeds on the postcard and the magnet of .125”.We can also accept any native Adobe file formats, PageMaker, QuarkXpress, FreeHand or Corel Draw.
Please ensure that all fonts are ‘converted to outlines’ or ‘converted to paths’
Please be advised: Word Documents, Publisher documents and low-resolution images (GIF, JPEG, BMP, etc.) cannot be used as acceptable artwork.
Can you help me design the artwork?
Yes, each order includes 30 minutes of free design time. The best way to take advantage of this time is to provide via e-mail, or fax, all the information you want included on the postcard magnet including: Company name, contact information, product details or special offer, etc.
Please e-mail us with photos you would like used, and your logo, etc.
We will take these separate elements and combine them into a professional final product, and then send over a proof for your review and revision.
Please provide high resolution images, preferably at 300 dpi. Low resolution images will result in a pixilated imprint.
Can you print underneath the magnet?
Yes.
If you want the imprint hidden until the magnet is removed, please make the imprint .25” smaller than the magnet size.
We are not able to match the magnet artwork seamlessly with the postcard imprint. There is a variance of .125” of an inch in any direction.
What is your permit number? I want to add it to my artwork.
We will add our permit to the artwork when we prepare the proof. Please indicate where you would like to permit placed when preparing the artwork files.
Do you have an artwork template?
Yes, an artwork template can be downloaded from any of the Product Pages on our website.
Here is a link to the standard magnet mailer, good for both the magna-peel and magna-seal postcards:
Here is a link to the artwork template for the magna-fold postcard:
Magna-Fold, Business Card Magnet
Magna-Fold, 3.5" x 4" MagnetClick below to download artwork templates just for the magnets:
The files linked include artwork template for both sides of the postcard and the magnet and are zipped files (.zip extension) and will need to be unzipped before use.
Can I request a proof?
Yes, a free PDF proof is provided for each order. This proof is sued to show you color and/or color breaks, but is NOT an exact color matching system. Up to 3 free proofs will be provided.
If you need a more accurate proof, you may buy a laminated digital proof at a cost of $20.00. Our color press proofs are a close representation of the color of your product. Proofs are sent for next day delivery. The PDF proof must be approved before the paper proof is outputted.
Actual printed and laminated product proofs are $60.00. This is a press proof and is an actual working sample of the final product. Product proofs are sent for next day delivery. Product proofs are free of charge for orders of $6,250 or more.
Can I use PMS colors?
Yes, we can do a spot color match. The setup cost is $40.00 per color. Added colors after 4 colors incur an additional 10% running charge.
Do you provide copy changes?
Yes, copy changes are limited to changing a total of 6 lines of copy, a photo and a logo. In addition, the items must all have a common background or main layout that does not change. Copy changes cannot be added after an order is submitted.
1-14 copy changes: $20 each.
15 or more copy changes: $15 each.
Where should I e-mail the artwork to?
E-mail the artwork to artwork@postcardmagnet.com.
If the file is over 10MB, you can e-mail up to a 20MB file to postcardmagnet@gmail.com.If the file is larger than 20MB we do have an FTP site. To request FTP upload instructions please send an e-mail to:ftp@postcardmagnet.com and you will receive an auto-reply with current login instructions.
Please e-mail artwork@postcardmagnet.com with the "Upload confirmation number" provided to make sure that we can match up your artwork quickly.
Magna-Peel Postcard with attached business card magnet
Tips for marketing that are often ignored, but shouldn't be
- Make your contact information easy to find. Focus on the preferred method of contact. If you want them to visit your website, rather than call, reflect that in the design.
- Headlines should focus on the benefit the client will receive.
- Support the benefit claim with facts and figures.
- Remember that "you" and "free" are two of the most powerful words you can use.
- Place your most powerful words at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs.
- Always make a call to action. Tell people what you want them to do... repeat it more than one in your copy.
- Announcements do not make insightful attention grabbing headlines. Do not use number of years or latest technology in your headline.
- When using a special offer, articulate it in a clear, compelling manner. Try testing different offers with different groups.
- Do not fall into the trap of focusing your entire promotion on being the "cheapest". This only works if you really are less expensive than everyone else. If the only reason the public is using your service or product is price... it can be destructive to you in the long run and in our highly competitive economy.
- Ask a though provoking question in the headline. Develop your question and provide the solution using a conversational written style.
- Never assume anything. Keep all information easy to understand. Keep messages short and avoid fine lines. and disclaimers whenever possible.
- Try humor. In direct mail it is a great way to catch and hold your audience's attention.
Magnet Mailers with attached 3.5" x 4" magnet
Twice the size, same cost. The Magna-Fold Postcard
Postcardmagnet.com is excited to announce a brand new product, the Magna-FOLD" postcard magnet mailer.
TWICE the size, gives you TWICE as much room to promote, but at the same cost as the half-sheet magna-peel postcard.
The Magna-FOLD Specs
The Magna-FOLD postcard starts as an 8.5" x 11" postcard, printed in full-color on both sides.
A 3.5" x 4" magnet is spot-glued to the top, right-hand side of the postcard, and then the postcard is folded in half and spot-glued shut to it's final folded size of 8.5" x 5.5"
Once received in the mail, the postcard can be easily opened to reveal the magnet secured inside, and a full sheet of full color advertising!
This design offers you twice as much postcard space as compared to our other products, but for the same cost, allowing you the extra room you need to get your message across to your clients.
Download the artwork template here, or view a product image.
The Advantages
This product offers a full 8.5" x 11" canvas for your full color photos, message and company info, TWICE the space of our other magnet mailers, but for the same price!!
Our other proucts are sealed in a 2 mil polylaminate. This product is not, so it can be written on with a ball-point pen.
Addressing is still provided, free of charge, but if you wanted to address this product yourself, you could easily do that, by hand, or with a wider range of inkjetters.
Request a Free Sample Today
This is brand-new product that we'd like you to see for yourself.
Visit our sample request page, and be sure and mention the "Magna-Fold" in the comments section. You'll receive a new sample kit within a few days.
If you want to talk shop, give us a call and we can discuss all the details over the phone - 800-660-8668
Or send us an e-mail: sales@postcardmagnet.com
Advertising Refrigerator Magnets
Advertising refrigerator magnets are a simple and cost effective way to essential own real estate in the homes of clients and potential clients. Your magnet can be kept on their fridge, freezer, filing cabient, or even a metal door.
Magnets have a long life span - they are usually kept for years. For that entire time your company name, services and contact information will be in front of potential clients, creating numerous daily impressions and soldifying your company in their minds. When they need your service, you can be assured that your company will be the first one that comes to mind.
Learn more about how you can cost effectively send your magnets out at great direct mail rates at PostcardMagnet.com
Alumni Magnet Mailers
Magnet mailers have been very popular with colleges and universities nationwide. They have been so effective that many schools use them each year to promote their class reunions and alumni events.
A magnet is the perfect way to help alumnus "save the date" for upcoming events. Anything else you send in the mail is likely to get thrown away and forgotten.
Plus, most grads would be proud to display a magnet on their fridge from their alma mater.
Here is a list of some of the schools that have chosen Postcardmagnet.com to promote their school events:
Stanford
Harvard
Berkeley
Anne Arundel Community College
Avila University
The Baldwin School
Bennington College
Breck School
Davidson College
Dexter School
Simmons College
St. Timothy's School
University of Florida College of Nursin
University of New Hampshire
Washington College
If you are interested in using magnet mailers as a save the date for your next event, take a look at the design ideas some of the other schools have used at www.alumnimagnetmailers.com
Request a free sample to see this product for yourself and you will automatically be e-mailed pricing details and everything else you need to get started.