New to direct mail or just need a quick reference? This glossary covers the most important terms in direct mail, printing, and postal services — from CASS certification to ZIP+4 codes. Use the alphabet navigation to jump to any letter.
A
Address Standardization
The process of formatting a mailing address to conform to USPS standards, including correct abbreviations, ZIP+4 codes, and delivery point codes. Certain USPS price categories may require specified address preparation.
Automation Mail
Mail prepared to meet USPS address, barcode, sortation, and other requirements for applicable automation price categories.
ACS (Address Change Service)
A USPS service that may provide electronic address-correction information for eligible mailings using the applicable USPS service and barcode preparation.
B
Bulk Mail
An informal term often used for qualifying commercial mailings. Applicable USPS class, quantity, permit, preparation, eligibility, and pricing requirements vary by mailing.
Bulk Mail Center (BMC)
A large USPS processing and distribution facility that handles bulk mailings. Now called Sectional Center Facilities (SCFs) or Network Distribution Centers (NDCs).
C
CASS Certification
Coding Accuracy Support System — a USPS program that certifies address-matching software. CASS processing can standardize addresses and assign ZIP+4 codes; USPS preparation requirements vary by mailing.
Carrier Route
A specific geographic area assigned to a USPS mail carrier. Carrier-route information can be used to evaluate route-based mailing options; EDDM use is subject to USPS conditions.
Commingling
Combining presorted mail from multiple mailers to support sortation and entry options. Eligibility and pricing effects depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
Co-Palletization
A process that combines mail from multiple mailers on pallets. USPS approval, eligibility, and any pricing effects depend on the applicable requirements.
D
Data Hygiene
The process of cleaning and updating a mailing list to remove duplicates, correct addresses, update moved records via NCOA, and suppress undeliverable or opted-out addresses. It can support list-quality review before a mailing.
Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC)
A USPS barcode that encodes the full delivery address including ZIP+4 and delivery point, enabling automated sorting to the individual mailbox level.
Delivery Point Validation (DPV)
A USPS process that helps verify whether an address is recognized as a delivery point in USPS data. USPS preparation and price-category eligibility depend on the applicable requirements.
Demographics
Statistical characteristics of a population segment used to target mailing lists, including age, income, household size, homeownership, marital status, and purchasing behavior.
Drop Shipping
Transporting prepared mail to an eligible USPS entry point rather than using origin entry. Entry options, eligibility, and pricing depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
E
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)
A USPS program that may be used for selected carrier routes without an individual recipient mailing list. EDDM eligibility, permitted formats, preparation, and pricing depend on USPS conditions, not size alone.
eDoc (Electronic Documentation)
The electronic submission of mailing documentation to USPS through approved systems. Full-Service eligibility, documentation, and any related adjustments depend on USPS requirements.
F
First-Class Mail
A USPS mail class used for letters, postcards, and flats. Standalone invoices, statements, bills, municipal tax bills, and utility bills use First-Class Mail and are not eligible for Marketing Mail. USPS service features and pricing depend on the specific mailpiece, applicable conditions, and USPS requirements.
Flat
A large, flexible, rectangular mail piece, such as a large envelope or newsletter. USPS format, preparation, eligibility, and pricing requirements vary by mail class and mailing.
Folder Inserter
A mailing machine that automatically folds documents and inserts them into envelopes. Quadient folder inserters can process hundreds to thousands of pieces per hour, dramatically reducing manual labor costs for statement and letter mailings.
Full-Service IMb
A USPS participation level with documentation, barcode, and other requirements. Full-Service eligibility, adjustments, data access, and related services depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
G
Geocoding
The process of assigning geographic coordinates (latitude/longitude) to addresses. Used in direct mail to map delivery areas, analyze customer distribution, and select carrier routes for EDDM campaigns.
I
IMb (Intelligent Mail Barcode)
A USPS barcode for cards, letters, and flats that can encode routing, piece-identifier, and service-type information. Full-Service eligibility and associated services depend on USPS requirements.
IMPB (Intelligent Mail Package Barcode)
A USPS package barcode that uses variable-length data for applicable package services. It is distinct from the IMb used on cards, letters, and flats.
Informed Delivery
A USPS consumer service for participating recipients that may provide a digital preview of eligible mail. Mailer participation and available features depend on USPS requirements.
Ink Jet Addressing
A high-speed printing method used to apply addresses, barcodes, and variable data directly onto mail pieces using inkjet technology. Faster and more cost-effective than laser printing for large volumes.
L
Lettershop
A facility that provides mail processing services including printing, folding, inserting, addressing, barcoding, presorting, and USPS entry. Available services depend on the project and mailing requirements.
List Broker
A company that compiles, manages, and sells mailing lists of consumers or businesses. Lists can be targeted by demographics, geography, purchase behavior, industry, and dozens of other criteria.
M
Marketing Mail
Marketing Mail is the USPS name for a mail class formerly called Standard Mail or Bulk Mail. Standalone invoices, statements, bills, municipal tax bills, and utility bills use First-Class Mail and are not eligible for Marketing Mail. USPS determines class eligibility, service features, and pricing for the specific mailpiece and applicable conditions.
Mailer Scorecard
A USPS tool associated with the quality review of Full-Service submissions, including barcode uniqueness, eDoc accuracy, and container-label compliance. Applicable requirements and any USPS actions depend on the mailing and current USPS rules.
Mail Piece Design
The process of creating a mail piece that meets USPS physical standards for size, weight, aspect ratio, barcode clear zones, and paper stock — while also being visually effective for the recipient.
MMScope
Mail Movers' white-labeled omnichannel campaign platform powered by DM2.0. It can coordinate direct mail with configured delivery tracking, call tracking, social audience matching, digital follow-up, and campaign reporting.
N
NCOALink
National Change of Address Link — a USPS-licensed change-of-address database. Processing a list through NCOALink can support address updates subject to applicable licensing and processing rules.
Non-Profit Rate
A USPS price category that may be available to authorized nonprofit organizations for eligible mailings. Authorization, eligibility, and pricing depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
P
Permit Imprint
A pre-printed indicia on a mail piece that replaces a stamp or meter impression. Requires a USPS permit and annual fee. Allows high-volume mailers to pay postage in bulk rather than affixing individual stamps.
Postage Meter
A machine that prints postage directly onto envelopes or tape strips, accounting for the postage used. Modern Quadient postage meters connect to USPS servers to download postage funds and print compliant indicia.
PostalOne!
A USPS system that may be used by mailers and mail service providers for electronic documentation, postage statements, and mailing reports, as applicable.
Presort
The process of sorting mail by destination before USPS entry. Applicable preparation, eligibility, and pricing depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
Psychographics
Lifestyle, interest, and behavioral characteristics used to target mailing lists beyond basic demographics. Includes hobbies, political affiliation, purchase history, and values.
R
Response Rate
The percentage of recipients who take a defined initial action during an agreed campaign observation window. A response-rate report should identify the action, recipient denominator, list or audience segment, and time period.
Return on Investment (ROI)
The financial return generated by a campaign relative to its total cost, commonly calculated as attributable financial return minus total campaign cost, divided by total campaign cost. A useful ROI report identifies the revenue window, attribution rule, and cost basis.
S
Saturation Mailing
A mailing that targets selected addresses on carrier routes. EDDM may be considered for eligible route-based mailings, subject to USPS conditions.
SCF (Sectional Center Facility)
A USPS processing and distribution facility that serves a geographic area associated with ZIP Code prefixes. Entry options, eligibility, and pricing effects depend on USPS requirements.
Seed Name
A known address added to a mailing list for mailing-observation purposes. Its use and interpretation should be defined in the campaign plan.
Suppression File
A list of addresses, names, or phone numbers to be excluded from a mailing. Common suppression files include do-not-mail requests, existing customers, competitors, and deceased individuals.
T
Tabbing / Wafer Sealing
Applying small adhesive tabs or wafer seals to self-mailers and folded pieces to keep them closed during mail processing. Applicable tabbing requirements depend on the mailpiece and current USPS standards.
Targeted Mailing List
A curated list of prospects selected by criteria such as geography, demographics, income, homeownership, or business type. Targeting can support audience selection based on an agreed campaign plan.
U
USPS Full-Service Certification
A USPS participation designation associated with Full-Service Intelligent Mail. Eligibility, documentation, barcode preparation, adjustments, and available services depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.
USPS Marketing Mail
See Marketing Mail. The official USPS name for the mail class formerly known as Standard Mail or Bulk Mail.
V
Variable Data Printing (VDP)
Digital printing technology that personalizes each mail piece with unique text, images, offers, or QR codes based on recipient data. The campaign's tracking plan can be used to evaluate personalized creative against an agreed comparison method.
W
Wafer Seal
See Tabbing / Wafer Sealing.
Z
ZIP+4
An extended ZIP Code that can help identify a delivery area or point. Its use and any automation-price-category eligibility depend on USPS requirements and the mailing.