What Are Direct Mail Manager’s Artwork Requirements for Postcards?
Accepted File Types for Postcards include: PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG and HTML. The designs for the front and back of your postcard need to be uploaded separately. For 6×9 postcards, the dimensions are 6.25×9.25 (.125 on each side for bleed).
File types for letters include PDFs and HTML. Multi page letters are uploaded as one single file. Print files for letters and postcards must be at least 300 DPI and in CMYK.
Templates can be found in your account here: https://app.directmailmanager.com/artworks/?tab=templates
I’m getting Low Resolution/Bad Color Space errors when uploading my Artwork. How can I fix that?
Designing in CMYK color format will resolve the Bad Color Space Alert
Low Resolution Alerts can be a result of 2 things:
- Either the file uploaded is saved as a lower resolution file type and needs to be saved for commercial printing quality 300 DPI resolution or better.
- Or the images in the file are low resolution and those images need to be replaced with 300 DPI images.
What are the design dimensions I should abide by to avoid errors?
Red Line = Bleed (9.25″ x 6.25″ or 6.25″x4.25″)
This area will be trimmed. Make sure all background graphics cover this area.
Blue Line = Product size (6″ x 9″ or 6″x4″)
This is the final size your artwork will be trimmed to.
Green line = Safe area (8.75 ” x 5.75″ or 5.75″x3.75″)
This is the area of the mailer that will be visible to recipients.
What is HTML Artwork and How Do I Use it to Personalize my mailpiece?
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) Artwork refers to the process of creating variable content within mail designs. The use of HTML artwork allows for the integration of images, various design elements and text to make postcards and letters more personalized. To create variable postcards with HTML, you have to use merge variables. Merge variables are the specified fields within the HTML code that is used to receive the data from your mailing list.
How do you map variable fields?
The first step is to add custom fields into your account here. You will need to upload a list prior to sending anything. When organizing your mailing list in a spreadsheet, you need to include columns for each of the variable fields you’d like included in your campaign. Once the file is uploaded, the next step is to create and map the custom column headers from the spreadsheet into DMM. Then, upload your HTML source code or HTML URL. Once the artwork is uploaded, you’ll see a preview of the mapped variable fields with your data included.
How to Send an HTML Letter
The first step is to import an HTML list. If you’re including variable fields in your letters, be sure to identify them in your spreadsheet prior to uploading it. The next step if using variable fields is to add them into DMM. You can add your variable fields by navigating to addresses, then custom fields, then “add new custom field”. Afterwards, type “name” field and the merge tag will populate automatically. Remember to leave the ‘default value’ field blank. Then, import your HTML artwork. HTML custom fields are defined by these brackets: {{}}. Once you’ve identified the custom fields, use the ‘merge tag’ from DMM. Then, import your HTML artwork by adding the name of the design and switching to ‘HTML.’ After that, paste the HTML code and click ‘Beautify’ to clean it up. Then, upload.
Once your art is uploaded, decide whether you want to create a new campaign or send them as part of a current campaign. Afterwards, you’ll be asked to select letter options. Here, you can select whether you want your letters to be sent in black and white or full color, choose to insert a blank page first and determine if your letters should be single or double sided.
After you make your selections, you can preview your mailer and finalize your order.
Mail panels – How to upload a back file
Mail panels are created on our side once the back artwork is uploaded which accounts for the space needed for the mail panel.
Can you add multiple return addresses?
Yes, here select which you want to use during the first step of sending your mailer.
How much room do I leave for USPS mailing information?
All of the downloadable templates have descriptions/instructions on the requirements.
Does Direct Mail Manager Offer Assistance With Design?
Yes! Users with a free Direct Mail Manager plan can purchase static campaign design for $150. HTML variable data design costs $350. Direct Mail Manager users with a pro or enterprise account have access to Direct Mail Manager’s quick start package which includes three free designs and integration support.