Category: Uncategorized

Goodbye 2024 and Hello 2025

Ring in 2025 with Gratitude and Well Wishes from LetterStream

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and appreciate all the milestones and memories of 2024. Whether it’s been a year of growth, challenges, or new beginnings, we’re here to celebrate with you and look ahead to the opportunities 2025 has in store.

At LetterStream, we’re grateful to be part of your journey. Your trust and partnership mean everything to us, and we’re excited to continue serving you in the year ahead.

Cheers to 2024: A Year of Hard Work and Dedication

Before the countdown begins, take a moment to recognize everything you’ve accomplished this year. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of deadlines and responsibilities, but tonight is a time to celebrate the big wins and even the small victories.

For many, 2024 was a year of pushing boundaries, adapting to change, and finding innovative solutions. Whether it was launching new projects, streamlining processes, or simply keeping everything running smoothly, your hard work didn’t go unnoticed.

Welcoming 2025 with Open Arms

A new year brings new opportunities—both professionally and personally. It’s a chance to set fresh goals, refocus priorities, and find better ways to achieve balance.

As we step into 2025, here’s to a year filled with:
• Simplified workflows that let you focus on what matters most.
• Moments of calm and clarity amid the busy days.
• Success and growth that exceeds expectations.

We’re here to support you every step of the way, helping to make your workdays a little easier and your goals more achievable.

Our New Year’s Wish for You

From our team to yours, we hope 2025 is a year of joy, prosperity, and peace. May you find moments of laughter in your busiest days, inspiration in unexpected places, and time to appreciate the people and things that truly matter.

Here’s to new beginnings, fresh ideas, and continued success. Thank you for letting us be a part of your story, and we look forward to making 2025 even better together.

Looking Ahead Together

As we close the chapter on 2024, we want you to know how much we appreciate your trust and partnership. You inspire us to keep innovating, improving, and finding new ways to serve you.

So tonight, raise a glass to all you’ve achieved and all that’s yet to come. From all of us at LetterStream, Happy New Year! 🥂

Mail It Before End of Year

The Last-Minute Mail Marathon: Don’t Panic, LetterStream Has Your Back

The end of the year is here, and you’re the one tasked with getting all the business-critical mail out the door. Whether it’s statements, invoices, or notices, the pressure is real. With just two days left, it’s time to face the facts: there’s no room for error and no time for standing in line at the Post Office. But fear not—LetterStream.com is here to save the day!

Skip the Post Office: Let LetterStream Handle the Heavy Lifting

Why waste precious time battling long lines and dodging grumpy last-minute shoppers at the Post Office? With LetterStream’s Print and Mail services, you can handle everything from the comfort of your desk—or your favorite coffee shop (we won’t tell your boss).

LetterStream takes care of the whole process:
• Printing your documents.
• Stuffing envelopes.
• Addressing and applying postage.
• Mailing your critical correspondence on time.

All you need to do is upload your documents to LetterStream.com, customize your mailing preferences, and let us handle the rest. It’s that easy.

Why “Do It All Yourself” Is a Terrible Idea

You might be tempted to grab the office printer, some envelopes, and a stack of stamps. Let’s break down why that’s a recipe for disaster:
• Time Drain: Do you really have hours to spare folding papers and licking envelopes?
• Cost: Have you seen the price of printer ink lately? It’s practically liquid gold.
• Mistakes: A missed page or misaddressed envelope could cost your business more than just embarrassment.

With LetterStream, you’ll save time, reduce costs, and eliminate errors.

Tick-Tock: The Clock Is Ticking!

Those deadlines aren’t going to wait, and neither should you. The beauty of LetterStream’s services is that we specialize in fast, accurate, and professional mail handling, even when time is tight.

We’ve got you covered with:
• Certified Mail for critical legal documents.
• First-Class Mail for invoices and notices.
• FedEx 2-Day Shipping for when it really needs to arrive ASAP.

No minimum quantities, no contracts, just efficient and stress-free mailing solutions.

Make Next Year Easier—Start Using LetterStream Today

Why stop at a last-minute save? LetterStream can become your go-to solution for mailing all year round. Give yourself the gift of peace in the office—no more scrambling to meet deadlines or juggling envelopes.

The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait Another Second

If you’re staring down the end-of-year mailing deadline, don’t panic. Just head to LetterStream.com, upload your files, and let us work our magic. With two days to spare, there’s still time to get it all done without breaking a sweat.

Take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and let us handle the rest.

LetterStream.com

Season’s Greetings from LetterStream

The Grinch that DID NOT Steal Christmas or New Year’s

The Grinch crept around with his usual flair,

Plotting to ruin the office’s affair.

Invoices, statements—he’d crumple them tight,

No critical mail would escape him tonight!

He laughed as he gathered each envelope near,

“I’ll stop all their mail—it’ll disappear!”

But what he forgot, as he plotted with glee,

Was the speed and precision of LetterStream’s decree.

From the cloud came a hum, a whisper, a cheer,

A mail-saving hero was already here!

With printers aglow and timing so right,

LetterStream handled it all with delight.

“Your mischief is pointless!” they said with a grin,

“We’ve mailed every piece, and the day’s ours to win.

The invoices went, the notices too,

And the Grinch stood there stunned, unsure what to do.”

He scratched his hairy chin and looked rather grim,

“How could they defeat my dastardly whim?”

But then, as he watched all the mail fly away,

He sighed and admitted, “They’ve won this day.”

So if your critical mail feels too big a feat,

Call on LetterStream—they can’t be beat.

They’ll handle your mail, keep the Grinch at bay,

And bring peace to your office each work-filled day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Entire LetterStream Team!

Stop the Mail Grinch

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Time This Holiday Season

Let LetterStream Handle Your Business-Critical Mail — As the holiday season reaches full swing and the new year approaches, it’s easy to feel like the Grinch himself is sneaking into your schedule, stealing precious time with endless to-do lists. Between year-end deadlines, holiday parties, and maybe a little last-minute shopping, managing your business-critical mail can feel like the final straw.

But don’t worry—at LetterStream, we’re here to stop the Grinch in his tracks. By taking the hassle out of printing, folding, inserting, and mailing, we help you reclaim your time and focus on what really matters.

Mailing Without the Madness

Whether you need to send Certified Mail, invoices, or important customer notifications, we know how daunting the mailing process can be. Printers jam, envelopes get misaligned, and stamps seem to disappear faster than cookies on Santa’s plate. Luckily, LetterStream has a better way.

Our online platform allows you to send mail from anywhere, at any time. Upload your documents, select your mailing preferences, and leave the rest to us. We handle the printing, folding, inserting, and postage—all with the precision and care your business-critical mail demands.

So while others are wrestling with office printers or frustrating vendors, you can be sipping cocoa, enjoying a holiday movie, or tackling the real priorities in your business.

Why LetterStream Saves the Day

1. Efficiency You Can Count On

Our process is designed to save you time and eliminate frustration. With just a few clicks, your mailing is on its way, and you didn’t even have to leave your desk.

2. Any Mail, Any Time

From one letter to thousands, we handle jobs of any size with ease. Need to send Certified Mail or time-sensitive notices? No problem—we specialize in business-critical mail that needs to be perfect.

3. Your Virtual Mailroom

Think of us as your very own on-demand mailroom, complete with top-notch equipment and expert staff. It’s like having a team of elves working around the clock to get your mail out the door.

4. Stress-Free Holidays

By letting us handle your mail, you free up time for other parts of your business—or even better, for yourself. Spend more time celebrating and less time stressing over the post office lines.

Don’t Let the Grinch Win

The Grinch might be lurking around, ready to steal your holiday cheer with mailing frustrations. But with LetterStream on your side, you can foil his plans and keep your season merry and bright.

Want to learn more about how we simplify business-critical mail? Check out our comprehensive mailing services and discover why so many businesses trust us to handle their most important mailings.

Your Partner This Holiday Season

At LetterStream, we’re working hard behind the scenes so you don’t have to. This holiday season, let us take care of your mailing needs while you focus on what truly matters—closing out the year strong and enjoying the festivities with family and friends.

Because when it comes to business-critical mail, the only thing you should worry about is whether you’ve saved enough cookies for Santa.

Visit LetterStream.com to get started today—and don’t let the Grinch steal another moment of your time. 🎄

This blog is brought to you by LetterStream, the ultimate solution for online printing and mailing. We help you keep the season bright by making mail easier than ever.

FedEx 2Day Now Available at LetterStream to Send Letters

For those of you who see us promoting FedEx letters on our website but can’t quite find the button to make it happen; we have great news! Most of you will now be able to send FedEx 2Day letters, with ease on our website.

What is FedEx 2Day?

FedEx 2Day is just one of the many FedEx fast delivery products that is offered. FedEx 2Day offers the speed, security, tracking and confidence that all FedEx products offer. It’s like an overnight letter that takes one extra day to get there.

LetterStream offers the standard FedEx 2Day letter option, which will get your letters or documents delivered by 5 P.M. the second business day from when you mail it. FedEx does offer a 2Day A.M. product, which we do not currently offer.

How Fast is FedEx 2Day?

FedEx 2Day is pretty quick. Like the name implies, it will take two (2) business days for your letter to arrive and will arrive by 5 P.M. to most destinations. Let’s break this down. If you combine the speed that LetterStream offers along with this FedEx product, then your letter will get there in no time.

If you were to load the documents to our website on Monday, then they will arrive at your intended destination by Wednesday. Keep in mind; no trips to the FedEx store, or post office, no scheduling pickup for your letter, no hassle of buying a FedEx envelope. Just the ease of sitting at your computer, uploading your document and easily sending it on its way.

FedEx envelope with FedEx letter to represent FedEx 2Day shipping.

Why Would I Choose FedEx 2Day?

FedEx 2Day is a great solution for sending a lot of different documents, since it’s not that much more expensive than Certified Mail, especially when you need to send a lot of documents to a specific location. Around 50, 8.5 in. x 11 in. documents, can be placed in a single FedEx 2Day envelope and be delivered for around $18.

FedEx gives you tracking information so you can see where your letter is at any moment. It provides you with proof of mailing and proof of delivery. Unlike other items with tracking, FedEx is dedicated to ensuring your letter reaches its destination. This allows them to achieve a much higher delivery rate than maybe some of their competitors, in our humble opinion.

What’s more, FedEx is a known and trusted brand for delivering on time, nearly every time. When a FedEx package arrives, you know it is something special, that it’s something important that you should embrace and open.

Some competing products that offer tracking don’t quite capture that same vibe. Think about it; have you ever received a letter with a green bar across the top and put it off because you might not want to know what is inside? FedEx generally doesn’t give people that same feeling. Wouldn’t you agree?

How Do I Send FedEx 2Day?

Oh yes, I nearly forgot. You are probably wondering, “how do you actually send a FedEx 2Day letter?”

Sending FedEx 2Day letters is an easy selection when you start to create your mailing on the LetterStream website. You simply click “To Send a Letter,” and you can choose from multiple options like First-Class, Certified Mail, and now FedEx 2Day.

Step-by-Step Process for FedEx 2Day

Backend of LetterStream portal where you create a job and choose send letters
  1. Head to the homepage for www.LetterStream.com.
  2. Log into your LetterStream account.
  3. On the main dashboard page, select the button to “Send Letter(s).”
  4. Name your job, select the address source and then, on the same page, choose the delivery method on the right hand side. There should be an option for FedEx 2Day to select.
LetterStream online portable that shows where you upload your job and how to choose the FedEx 2Day option

If by some chance you’re not seeing that seeing that option:

For security reasons the FedEx product is not available to users who have not been a customer for less than 90 days. It gets complicated but let’s just say we don’t want to block any users from finding this product, so if you have a legitimate need for the FedEx2Day option and you can’t seem to find it, reach out to our support team and we’ll get you taken care of.

When Will Overnight Options be Available?

The FedEx overnight option is currently available to a few select customers who meet our criteria. However, if you have the need to send more than 100 overnight letters per year, reach out to us and we may be able to qualify you for this added service.

To learn more about FedEx 2Day, click here.

Certified Mail – Return Receipt vs Electronic Return Receipt (ERR)

What is the difference between a Return Receipt and Electronic Return Receipt (ERR)?

Actually, let’s get more specific, shall we? What are the different types of Return Receipt for Certified Mail?

There are two different ways to get a Return Receipt through the United States Postal Service (USPS) for your Certified Mail. The first is the traditional green card, also known as PS Form 3811, which the Postal Service calls a Return Receipt.

The second method is an Electronic Return Receipt (ERR). No special forms are needed to purchase or take advantage of with ERR. An Electonic Return Receipt, simply put, is an electronic version of a Return Receipt.

Do I Need a Return Receipt?

Let’s back up just a bit and point out that you may not even need a Return Receipt for your Certified Letter. A simple Certified Letter without a Return Receipt will provide tracking on USPS.com or various other websites that have access to USPS tracking data, like LetterStream.com and www.OnlineCertifiedMail.com. So, if you just want to know the status of your letter, you may not need to spring for the additional expense of a Return Receipt.

The Return Receipt, however, does give you the added information of the name and signature of the person who received your letter. This provides you with a little extra information and might help you prove that someone actually saw your letter and took it into their hands.

Return Receipt Vs Electronic Return Receipt

So, back to the differences between Return Receipts. A Return Receipt, also known as a green card, is a green pre-printed postcard that you can pick up at your local post office and apply to the back of the Certified letter you are about to mail.

You will need to add your address to the green card or the address where you’d like the green card sent after the letter gets signed for. You’ll also want to put the tracking number from the Certified Mail barcode label (PS Form 3800) on the green card as well so you will know specifically which letter the green card relates to.

After paying the extra fees for Return Receipt and attaching the form to your letter, you are ready to give the letter to the USPS and let them do their part. When they deliver your Certified letter with Return Receipt included, they will have the person who gets your letter sign the green card.

The postal carrier will then take the green card back to the USPS and put it in the mail so it will be returned to the sender. If all goes well, you’ll have your green card back in no time (or maybe longer, just depends).

The process gets a bit simpler with Electronic Return Receipt. You simply tell the USPS cashier that you’d like to send your Certified Letter with ERR. No extra forms are required, but there is a charge for this service. The cashier will scan the Certified Mail barcode (PS Form 3800) that you’ve placed on your letter. This tracking number will appear on your USPS receipt along with the fees for Electronic Return Receipt. You will then be able to use this tracking number to check the status of your Certified letter.

Collecting a Signature

When the mail carrier delivers your Certified letter, they will collect a signature either on the green card or on their digital tracking pad. When they get back to their office, they will either scan it into their computer system or they will download the signatures from their digital tracking pad.

Once the signature is in their computer system, they will create an electronic document/letter providing details of the delivery. It will show the date the letter was delivered and include the signature of the person who received the letter. If you choose to send it as a Return Receipt, the green card will get mailed back to you. If Electronic Return Receipt is choosen, this document will not be mailed to you; however, you can go to USPS.com, enter the 20-digit tracking number from your receipt and request the signature via email when it is available.

If you choose to mail you Certified letter, either through LetterStream or OnlineCertifiedMail.com then you can access a copy of the Electronic Return Receipt right in your online portal.

Is There a Difference Legally?

Some people want to know if there is a difference in the legal authority of a green card compared to an ERR. Long ago the USPS claimed on their website that there was no legal difference, however, they soon discovered that they are not the judge of that. Instead, the ultimate authority belongs to the local judge who gets to determine whether they are the same or not.

From our experience, the Electronic Return Receipt is accepted by most judges. We haven’t heard even a rumor of a judge tossing out the ERR as valid proof of delivery. If in doubt, we suggest that you contact the local authorities and see if they can confirm that an ERR is just as binding as a green card.

To sum it up, Return Receipt and Electonic Return Receipt both provide the same value when it comes to the added information of the name and signature of the person receiving your Certificated letter. One actually just is a bit more convenient than the other.

What Does My Tracking Information Mean?

2019-09-17 (3)

What Do Certified Mail Tracking Numbers Mean?

Using your LetterStream account you are able to track the entire process of your created Certified Mail – from job creation to successful delivery, and all other statuses in between.

Although we want nothing but the best for our customers, LetterStream cannot guarantee the success of a delivery or timeliness to your intended recipients since this is dependent upon the United States Postal Service (USPS).  We do, however, offer real-time transit status and tracking information for each piece of Certified Mail, which provided directly from the USPS.

Here is a breakdown of the various status levels along the journey:

Mailed: Your Certified Mail piece has been printed, inserted into envelopes, and given to the USPS for processing and to attempt to be delivered. This begins the transit stage of your Certified Mail. Mailed pieces shouldn’t be confused with Delivered mail, as “mailed” simply means that your letter(s) are in the mail stream/system.

In Transit: Your Certified Mail is in the hands of the USPS. At this point, we are at the mercy of the USPS in regard to a successful delivery to the intended recipient.

Delivery Attempted: Delivery to the intended recipient has been attempted. The Post Office likely left a notice of attempted delivery for the recipient with instructions on how and where the item can be received.

Unclaimed By Recipient: After attempts of delivery had been unsuccessful, and the recipient does not make an attempt to receive the item, the status is changed to “Unclaimed By Recipient.”

Refused By Recipient: If the intended recipient refuses to accept and/or sign for the mail piece, the status is changed to “Refused By Recipient” and is returned to the sender.

Returned To Sender: In the event the mail piece is undeliverable due to a bad address, the recipient is no longer at the address, etc., then the status is changed to “Returned To Sender.”

Delivered: Your Certified Mail was successfully delivered to the recipient, and a signature was acquired. Once this status is achieved and the USPS gives you access to the electronic signature file, you can view the signature by clicking the “View” link to the right of the status indicators for each recipient.

You will also see 3 status boxes next to each recipient within your LetterStream account.  These are color-coded by status.

Capture

See below for the color that represents the corresponding status: 

White – No action has occurred, or the Post Office has not updated the tracking information

Lime Green – Recent status updated successfully

Light Yellow – Unclaimed/Business Closed

Orange – Out for Delivery/Attempted

Violet – Forwarded

Pink – Returned to Sender

Dark Green – Returned (2nd box will be pink)

Red – Refused (2nd box will be pink)

These rules are applied to the tracking status bar at the top of the page as well.

Never be out of the loop along the journey.

Proposed USPS Price Updates For July, 2023

proposed_usps_postage_rate_increase_july_2023The USPS (United States Postal Service) has submitted new price requests to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and the new rates will go into effect on July 9th, 2023.  These rates are still under review, but the USPS typically gets what they ask for.

In similar fashion to the last postage increase, the price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents again.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the other products LetterStream has to offer: 

 

  • First Class Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $.63 up to $.66 cents
  • First Class Flats are going up, from $1.26 to $1.35
  • Certified Mail is going up, from $4.15 to $4.35
  • Certified ERR is going up, from $2.10 to $2.20
  • International Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $1.45 up to $1.50
  • Domestic Postcards are going from $.48 up, to $.51
  • International Postcards are going from $1.45 up, to $1.50
  • Extra Ounces staying at $.24
  • Registered Mail is going up, from $24.35 to $25.90

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of real mail or in addition to your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of July 2023 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

Pro tip:  if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before July 10th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!

USPS Pricing Updates – January 2023

usps_january_2023_postage_price_update

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the January 2023 price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect on Sunday, January 22, 2023. 

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer: 

  • First Class postage is going up 3 cents; from .60 to .63
  • Certified mail is going up 15 cents; from 4.00 to 4.15
  • Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 10 cents; from 2.00 to 2.10
  • First Class flats are going up 6 cents; from 1.20 to 1.26
  • Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .44 to .48
  • Extra Ounces (Letters) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24 
  • International postage is going up 5 cents; from 1.40 to 1.45
  • Registered mail is going up .80; from 18.25 to 19.05 
  • Standard/Marketing mail is going up 4 cents; from .26 to .30

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email – directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of, or in addition to, your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of January 2023 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

USPS Raises Postage Rates Twice in 2022

usps_july_2022_postage_price_update

For the second year in a row, the US Postal Service is raising their prices twice within a single year.

The USPS traditionally issues a price update annually (at the beginning of each year). However, moving forward they will implement price updates on a semi-annual basis (in January and July), starting in 2022.

The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has approved the 2022 mid-year price increase for a number of products and services that the USPS offers, and the new rates will go into effect at Midnight on Sunday, July 10, 2022. 

The price of a first-class stamp will be raised by two cents.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the products LetterStream has to offer: 

  • First Class postage is going up 2 cents; from .58 to .60 
  • Certified mail is going up 25 cents; from 3.75 to 4.00
  • Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt) is going up 15 cents; from 1.85 to 2.00
  • First Class flats are going up 4 cents; from 1.20 to 1.24 
  • Postcards are going up 4 cents; from .40 to .44 
  • Extra Ounces (Letters) are staying the same at 20 cents 
  • Extra Ounces (Flats) are going up 4 cents; from .20 to .24 
  • International postage is going up 10 cents; from 1.30 to 1.40 
  • Registered mail is going up 1.10; from 17.15 to 18.25 
  • Standard/Marketing mail is going up 2 cents; from .24 to .26 

For those who rely on LetterStream as their valued print and mail partner, the new rates will go into effect at 4pm the last business day before the USPS implements their new prices (July 8th, 2022).  This is because orders that are received after 4pm Pacific Time will not be mailed until the new rates are in effect on Monday. 

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email – directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of, or in addition to, your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of August 2022 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper. 

Pro tip:  if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before July 10th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!