The effective operation of Presstream

Presstream is a Royal Mail service designed for publishers which gives access to discounted postage prices. The customer must report by postcode their subscription or circulation database prior to each mailing and meet certain other minimum requirements.

Volumes of each publication per mailing must exceed 1,000 and the title be published at least twice per year. Additionally, each title mailed under Presstream terms must contain a minimum of one sixth editorial content. Postcodes must also be accurate and available for 90 per cent of the data.

Presstream postings require a rigorous conformation to Royal Mail standards and a professional mailing house can significantly help a publisher in gaining the financial and operation benefits that Presstream can provide.

10 key points on the effective operation of Presstream

Ensure all circulation data is accurate and shows the current postcode.
Contact Royal Mail for an introductory presentation on Presstream service and progress towards account holding status.
Contact the Direct Marketing Association on 020 7321 2525 for a list of approved mailing houses capable of operating Presstream services.
On selecting a mailing house, seek guidance on cost differentials between paper and polythene envelopes.
Seek mailing house support on handling the Royal Mail interface.
Check that the mailing house is an 'approved fnal bag labeller'. This means that it provides a higher level of service ensuring that minimal handling is required by Royal Mail resulting in quicker deliveries.
If handling data processing internally, ensure that Royal Mail Account Management communicates any changes to sortation patterns in advance to allow computer programming amendments to be made well ahead of the publication issue date.
If using polythene, ensure sufficient lead time is allowed for production - usually 4/5 weeks for initial run and 2/3 weeks for replenishment thereafter.
Ensure Royal Mail or the mailing house have an efficient means of returning mailing marked 'gone away' This allows constant cleaning of data. and control of costs - especially postage.
Ask the mailing house to contribute to the planning of production time scales for all aspects from print to dispatch.