PPA’s circulation team is responsible for managing PPA’s postal strategy, with vital member input from the PPA Postal Strategy Group. Priorities include:

  • Managing the relationship with Royal Mail on issues including pricing, quality of service and product development
  • Setting the industry’s position on regulatory issues relating to the postal market, working with the postal regulator Postcomm
  • Maintaining dialogue with alternative carriers
  • Representing publishers’ interests in terms of international postal issues, with member input via the International Postal Working Party. A key priority is raising the profile of PPA’s International Mail Distribution Accreditation Scheme (IMDAS), among publisher clients & consolidators to ensure it becomes the ‘must have’ accreditation

Presstream

Presstream is a Royal Mail product specifically for magazines, journals and newsletters. It offers a discount off the standard tariff.

  • Presstream 1 aims for a next day delivery service
  • Presstream 2 aims for delivery within 3 working days

Who can use Presstream?

  • Anyone who publishes a magazine, journal or newsletter
  • Any magazine, journal or newsletter publisher that distributes a minimum of 1,000 Large Letters, Packets or A3 Packets at least twice a year

Mailing houses can apply to have a publication registered in their name provided that a letter of authoriation from the publisher is sent to the Royal Mail Presstream team.

How much does it cost?

  • Prices are based on the format of the item to be mailed (Large Letter, Packet or A3 Packet), its weight and the delivery speed chosen
  • If you are posting over 3,000 items you may also qualify for additional Profile Pricing discounts which are based on the number of items being delivered into specific, pre-defined postcode areas

What restrictions apply?

  • Each item must have at least one sixth editorial content
  • Royal Mail has to see the publication before it can provide access to the service
  • The front cover should show the title, date and month or season it’s published and should be published and posted at least twice a year.
  • You must be mailing at least 1,000 Large Letters, A3 Packets or Packets to qualify

Large Letter sized items are items which are no larger than 353mm x 250mm; no thicker than 25mm and weigh no more than 750g.

A3 Packet sized items are items which are no larger than 420mm x 297mm; no thicker than 25mm and weigh no more than 750g.

Packet-sized items are items which exceed either 420mm or 297mm; are thicker than 25mm; heavier than 750g but weigh no more than 2kg; are no larger than 460mm x 610mm; or for tubular or cylindrical packages, have a maximum length of 900mm. In addition, the item’s length when added to twice the diameter must not exceed 1,040mm.

In addition:

  • All items in a mailing must be the same shape, size and weight, unless you've a made special arrangement beforehand with Royal Mail in writing
  • There is a maximum weight limit of 11kg per bag
  • You must have accurate postcodes on at least 90% of the mailing
  • You can’t use this service to send catalogues, brochures, directories or direct mail

How do I apply?

To request an application form please email Royal Mail at profile.pricing@royalmail.com. Further information can be found at the Royal Mail website.

International postal distribution

The International Postal Working Party (IPWP), chaired by Peter Regis of Reed Business Information, promotes best practice and identifies areas in international postal distribution where improvements can be made.

The IPWP has been responsible for developing a quality standard specifically designed to test the procedures and processes of international mail distribution. The International Mail Distribution Accreditation Scheme (IMDAS), is designed to generate customer trust and confidence.

Developed in conjunction with the Mail Consolidators Association (MCA), further information about IMDAS can be found in the IMDAS section of this website.

International address formatting

Address formatting is an extremely important issue but most publishers are unaware of just how essential it is to get it right. Incorrect addressing formatting has always been a concern, but automation in countries like the USA and Europe has amplified the problem. Mail is even more likely to be rejected by an automatic sorter if the address does not contain the correct information or right postcodes. Even those that are partly right could incur delay by having to go through an additional sortation process.

One useful resource is the 2008 Guide to Wordwide Postal Code and Address Formats. Further information can be found at Worldvu.com.