Oversized and Awesome Direct Mail: Fold of the Week
If you’re looking to increase response rates for mail, one of the simplest strategies you can use is to “Go big.”
Studies show that oversized envelopes have the highest average response rate at about 5%. So, today’s featured format is an impossible-to-overlook, oversized envelope mailer with an interesting inline automated production story.
What’s super-cool about this week’s format:
- Standout presence in the mail and lots of potential for this format across different verticals carrying a stitched booklet, folded brochure, personalized letter, certificate, or loyalty materials.
- The 2-piece enclosure was produced entirely inline through automation for maximum efficiency and security—however this is also a format that can be produced economically in smaller quantities as well.
How was the Oversized Envelope Mailer produced?
Folding Style: Glued Tri-Fold with 4-Page Insert
Design: Rauxa
Print Production: SPC (Specialty Print Communications) / Niles, IL
Client: Verizon
Paper: 9 pt. Opus Dull Cover (enclosure)
Printing: Printed 7/7 with HUV inks - 4-color process + spot PMS + spot Gloss/Satin UV
Finishing: Enclosure was produced with Inline automation - print, cut, plow fold, insert, glue, etc.
Budget Rating: Low – Moderate
Trish Witkowski is Chief Folding Fanatic at the online community foldfactory.com. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design and a master of science degree in Graphic Arts Publishing from Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Printing Management and Sciences (now the School of Print Media).
An award-winning designer, Trish held the position of creative director for a Baltimore-based agency for six years, and has taught design and desktop publishing at the college level. She has a specialized expertise in the area of folding and is the creator of the FOLDRite™ system, a 2004 GATF InterTech™ Technology Award winner.
Trish frequently publishes articles for graphic arts industry publications, and has written three books on the topic of folding: A Field Guide to Folding, Folding for the Graphic Arts: A Teacher's Handbook, and FOLD: The Professional's Guide to Folding.
