From the course: Print Production: Direct Mail

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The mailing panel

The mailing panel

From the course: Print Production: Direct Mail

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The mailing panel

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- The only way that USPS can process billions of pieces of mail per year is with Optical Character Recognition, or OCR software. OCR software is known for its ability to read all kinds of characters, machine-generated print, hand-printing and cursive, and many style variations. The OCR technology automates the reading of addresses on letters, flats, and parcels at super high speeds. Automation mail has very little variation in its setup, and uses only the most standardized formats and addressing techniques and also uses the intelligent mail barcode. All of this standardization and preparation is rewarded with the lowest postage rates. Automation mail was designed to fly through processing, and there are very specific requirements for the setup of automation mail. Here's a quick overview. In simplest terms, the OCR read area occupies the entire center of the piece, leaving 1/2 of an inch on either side. The address block must fall within this area whether it's printed in the space or…

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