DMA best practice
in direct mail production
in direct mail production
Best practice and direct mail production
In any contractual situation between two parties, where one is
ordering a bespoke service from the other, the arrangement will work
best where each has an understanding of the other's technical considerations and limitations, be it in relation to equipment, timings or other matters.
The recognition by each party of their own obligations, working to agreed levels, can do much to smooth the path of a project by minimising, or even eliminating, practices which may cause friction, delays and frustration.
A direct mail campaign can involve a manufacturing process and where it does certain disciplines are vital to ensure success. A number of steps - the production of envelopes, stationery etc - are pure manufacturing.
Other steps are, perhaps, best defined as processes - computing, laser printing, enclosing. But the end result is a product - usually a filled envelope - for mailing.
Like any other industry, direct mail employs machinery and techniques and, where there is machinery, there are usually technical standards to be observed. The recognition and understanding of these standards form part of the basis of best practice.
Commercial relationships
However, it is not just in the production processes that best practices are desirable. The commercial relationship between the parties is key and here the observance of the guidelines is vital. Possibly contentious areas include an appreciation of who provides what, and how it should be provided, where responsibilities lie and who pays for what. Agreement on these matters at negotiation stage, following best practice guidelines, should avoid problems arising during the production process.
Topics covered include:
Click here to see the full documentation.
In any contractual situation between two parties, where one is
ordering a bespoke service from the other, the arrangement will work
best where each has an understanding of the other's technical considerations and limitations, be it in relation to equipment, timings or other matters.
The recognition by each party of their own obligations, working to agreed levels, can do much to smooth the path of a project by minimising, or even eliminating, practices which may cause friction, delays and frustration.
A direct mail campaign can involve a manufacturing process and where it does certain disciplines are vital to ensure success. A number of steps - the production of envelopes, stationery etc - are pure manufacturing.
Other steps are, perhaps, best defined as processes - computing, laser printing, enclosing. But the end result is a product - usually a filled envelope - for mailing.
Like any other industry, direct mail employs machinery and techniques and, where there is machinery, there are usually technical standards to be observed. The recognition and understanding of these standards form part of the basis of best practice.
Commercial relationships
However, it is not just in the production processes that best practices are desirable. The commercial relationship between the parties is key and here the observance of the guidelines is vital. Possibly contentious areas include an appreciation of who provides what, and how it should be provided, where responsibilities lie and who pays for what. Agreement on these matters at negotiation stage, following best practice guidelines, should avoid problems arising during the production process.
Topics covered include:
- Briefings and quotations
- Project management and sub-contracting
- Ordering of materials, delivery and storage
- Computing
- Personalised and variable printing
- Manufacture and supply of envelopes
- Mailing houses
- Legal matters
Click here to see the full documentation.
