first-class mail | LetterStream Blog

Happy Holidays! The Twelve Days of Business Mail (LetterStream Edition)

The holidays are a time to reflect, reconnect, and appreciate the people who make our work meaningful. We’re grateful for our customers who trust us with their mail and for our team who keep everything moving—even during the busiest season of the year.

The holidays bring out the best in businesses—creativity, connection, and yes… a whole lot of mail. So, in the spirit of the season, here’s a playful look at what December really looks like inside The Stream.

On the first day of business mail, The Stream processed for a team:
One envelope labeled “Urgent Year-End Memo.”

On the second day of business mail, we watched across the floor:
Two postcard campaigns
and one envelope labeled “Urgent Year-End Memo.”

On the third day of business mail, the printers hummed with glee:
Three billing batches,
two postcard campaigns,
and one envelope labeled “Seriously—Urgent This Time.”

On the fourth day of business mail, operations said, “Let’s go!”
Four batches certified,
three billing batches,
two postcard campaigns,
and a memo now marked “Final Version (for real).”

On the fifth day of business mail, the workflow came alive:
FIVE YEAR-END UPDATES!
Four batches certified,
three billing batches,
two postcard campaigns,
and one well-traveled memo ready for the world.

On the sixth day of business mail, companies near and far:
Sent six renewal notices
(and yes, all before the deadline).

On the seventh day of business mail, we saw teams push through:
Seven statements sorting,
six renewals rolling,
and everything landing exactly where it needed to be.

On the eighth day of business mail, the StreamLogic took flight:
Eight workflows syncing,
seven statements sorting,
and holidays inching closer.

On the ninth day of business mail, we felt the year-end rush:
Nine reminders mailing,
eight workflows syncing…
and plenty of coffee disappearing.

On the tenth day of business mail, a marketer cheered out loud:
Ten festive mailers shipped,
each one brighter than the last.

On the eleventh day of business mail, a quiet hush appeared:
Eleven projects finished—
the kind businesses save for the home stretch.

And on the twelfth day of business mail, The Stream glowed warm and bright:
Twelve teams celebrating
another year of messages sent quickly, accurately, and reliably.

Because behind every one of those “days” is a business staying connected, closing the year strong, and sending mail that matters.

From our team to yours—

Merry Christmas, and may your season be filled with peace, joy, and perfectly sent out mail! From the LetterStream Team

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations the time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

How to Easily Keep Mail Moving When the Office Is Empty

December is one of the most joyful months of the year—and one of the most unpredictable for office schedules. With employees taking well-earned PTO, hybrid work in full swing, and year-end tasks piling up, many teams discover their mail workflows slowing down just when communication matters most. The good news is that with a little planning and a flexible process, your business mail can stay on schedule even when half the team is unplugged for the holidays.

When PTO Creates Unexpected Bottlenecks

Many organizations rely on workflows that work well in September but crack in December. Maybe only one person manages approvals. Maybe one employee knows how to run the office printer. Maybe key sign-offs live on a desk instead of a shared system. When that person is out on PTO, everything waits—sometimes for days.

December exposes these weak points faster than any other month. Teams work from different cities, offices close early, and responsibilities shift temporarily. Mail still needs to go out… it just doesn’t always have someone available to move it forward.

Why December Mail Matters More Than It Seems

Even routine mail carries more weight during the holidays. HOAs are sending reminders, nonprofits are sending acknowledgments, businesses are issuing statements, and many organizations are preparing documents needed for early January. Delays in December often spill into the new year, creating a backlog no team wants to start with.

Customers and members also expect clarity during a season already filled with noise, travel, and weather disruptions. Keeping your mail moving isn’t just operational—it builds trust.

Creating a PTO-Proof Mail Workflow

A resilient December workflow doesn’t depend on one person being at their desk. It relies on processes that can move forward from anywhere. A few adjustments make a big difference:

Store templates in a shared, easy-to-access location
Standardize approval steps so coverage is clear during vacations
Use formats that don’t require specialized equipment
Communicate deadlines early so teams can avoid last-minute scrambles

The more your system supports collaboration between remote and in-office team members, the fewer slowdowns you’ll see.

How LetterStream Helps Keep Mail Moving During PTO

Many teams turn to LetterStream in December (and throughout the year, really) because it eliminates the “someone has to be in the office” problem entirely. When your mail can be prepared, reviewed, and sent online, your workflow continues even when key people are out.

Approvals happen digitally. Documents move smoothly from one step to the next. No one needs access to a printer, envelopes, postage, or special equipment. And because LetterStream handles printing and sending on your behalf, every mailing stays fast, accurate, and reliable—even if your office is half empty for the holidays.

For teams navigating rotating schedules, weather closures, and end-of-year responsibilities, this flexibility becomes essential.

Keeping Communication Steady All December Long

A little preparation ensures your mail doesn’t slow down just because your staff is taking a much-needed break. When workflows are clear and supported by the right tools, December becomes far more manageable—and your communication remains uninterrupted, consistent, and dependable.

To learn more about LetterStream or to sign up for a free account, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

LetterStream Has a New Look! Introducing Our New, Updated Website

If you’ve visited LetterStream before, you may have noticed something different—we’ve launched a brand-new website design at LetterStream.com. This makeover has been in the works for a while, and we’re thrilled to finally share it with you!

But before we go any further, we want to make one thing clear:

LetterStream is still the same reliable, secure, accuracy-obsessed mailing partner you trust. Nothing has changed in your account, your workflows, or the technology behind the scenes.

This update is all about giving you a better, clearer, and more modern experience when you first discover us. We’re still the same, just with a better-looking website.

Why We Updated Our Website

Over the years, business mail has evolved—and so have we. We’ve expanded our capabilities, invested in new equipment, strengthened our technology, and continued to support individuals and organizations of all sizes with secure, high-volume, time-sensitive mailing.

But our public-facing website didn’t fully reflect who we are today.

The new site is designed to:

Improve the user experience for visitors exploring LetterStream for the first time
Clarify our solutions so potential customers can quickly understand how we help
Showcase our capabilities with a cleaner, more modern design
Align our digital presence with our identity—professional, dependable, and easy to work with

Your secure LetterStream account and all backend systems remain unchanged. Once you log in, you’ll find the same interface and the same reliable service you’re accustomed to. The only difference is that the font is a little nicer.

What’s New?

Our updated brochure-style website features:

A refreshed look and feel
Clearer navigation for exploring services
Better explanations of what we do and how we help
A friendlier path for new customers discovering LetterStream

This facelift reflects our commitment to continuous improvement—even when the change is purely visual. We wanted our first impression to match the quality, precision, and care that happen every day inside the LetterStream platform.

What Hasn’t Changed

Everything that matters to your business and your daily operations stays exactly the same:

Your account
Your mailing workflows
Our production standards
Our security and compliance
Our obsession with accuracy and timeliness

LetterStream is still LetterStream—just with a better “front door.”

We’re Excited for What’s Ahead

This new website is the first step in a larger effort to continually improve how we communicate, educate, and support our customers. It’s a reflection of our growth and our ongoing commitment to be the most dependable and easiest-to-use business mailing partner in the industry.

And as always, thank you for trusting us with your critical mail. We’re honored to support your business—and excited to welcome both new and longtime customers to our updated home online.

If you haven’t seen the new site yet, we’d love for you to explore it: Visit the new LetterStream experience → https://www.letterstream.com/

Our LetterStream Help doc talks more about our new website.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

How to Review Your Mailroom This December

December is the perfect moment to take a breath, look around your mailroom, and decide what you want to improve before next year’s busy season arrives. Many teams rush through year-end mailings without realizing how much smoother things could run with a quick audit. This guide walks through seven practical areas worth reviewing so your mail operations stay fast, accurate, and reliable in the year ahead.

Start With Your Address List

Before anything else, take inventory of your mailing data. Address lists tend to accumulate small errors over time, and those errors can lead to unnecessary returns or delays during heavy mailing months. December is a natural moment to check for duplicates, outdated entries, missing apartment numbers, and old addresses that need updating. A cleaner list means fewer surprises—and fewer stacks of returned envelopes waiting for attention in January.

Teams that send mail online through LetterStream often notice data issues earlier because the system makes inconsistencies easier to spot. A quick cleanup now can save hours of sorting and re-mailing next year.

Review Your Templates and Letter Formats

Your letter templates may be working, but are they still accurate, branded, and easy to read? Policies change, contact information gets updated, and branding evolves quietly in the background. Reviewing your templates now ensures that everything you send next year reflects the clear and professional tone your customers expect.

Clear subject lines, scannable text, and straightforward messaging also help recipients understand your letter the moment they open the envelope, reducing confusion and follow-up questions.

Clarify What Mail Is Truly Business-Critical

Not all mail carries the same weight. Some notices are time-sensitive and regulatory; others are informational or seasonal. December is a useful time to categorize what absolutely must be sent on a schedule and what can be adjusted, postponed, or moved online. Understanding these categories helps you allocate your team’s effort during peak periods and prevents everyone from scrambling at the same time.

Evaluate Internal Workflows and Bottlenecks

Most bottlenecks hide in plain sight. It may be a single person who handles approvals, a printer that only one or two team members can troubleshoot, or a handoff process that depends on everyone being physically in the office. These small friction points slow things down more than most teams realize.

Online mailing tools—like The Stream from LetterStream—can reveal these slow spots because they consolidate steps that normally involve multiple stages or people. When everything moves through one system, delays become easier to see and resolve.

Review Timing Patterns Throughout the Year

Think about when your mailroom felt busiest. Were certain months or billing cycles especially overwhelming? Did deadlines stack up at the same time every quarter? Understanding these patterns helps you shift preparation earlier, schedule support during peak weeks, or streamline certain notices before the pressure hits again.

Even small changes to timing can make your next busy season feel much more manageable.

Check That Your Records and Logs Are Up to Date

If your team logs returned mail, tracks outgoing volumes, or collects proof-of-mailing documents, December is an ideal time to confirm everything is current and accurate. Inconsistent documentation creates confusion later—especially when you need to reference a specific mailing or timeline.

When records are organized and current, you gain clearer insight into what’s working and what needs improvement next year.

Consider Whether It’s Time to Outsource Your Mailings

A year-end audit often raises an important question: Should we keep managing all of this in-house?

If your team spends valuable time printing, stuffing envelopes, fixing jams, or waiting on approvals, outsourcing some or all of your mail may free up significant hours.

Many organizations turn to LetterStream when they realize how much smoother operations become when they can print and send their mail online instead of relying on manual, on-premise processes. Outsourcing doesn’t replace your mailroom—it supports it by removing the repetitive, time-consuming steps so your team can focus on higher-value work.

A Strong Start Begins With a Thoughtful December

A quick year-end review can help your team catch small issues before they become bigger ones. By cleaning up data, refining templates, spotting bottlenecks, and deciding what truly needs to stay in-house, you set the stage for smoother, more efficient mail operations in the year ahead.

To learn more about LetterStream or to sign up for a free account, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

Mail Delays in Winter and How to Handle Them

Winter weather can slow down mail, but it doesn’t need to slow down communication. When snow and storms hit, the most important thing customers want to know is simple: What’s happening, and what should we expect? This guide explains what parts of the mailing process businesses truly control during winter delays—and how clarity helps prevent confusion and frustration.

What Winter Weather Impacts—and What It Doesn’t

During severe weather, there’s a clear line between the steps a business controls and the steps that fall to the carriers. Understanding that line makes it easier to communicate realistic timelines.

What Businesses Can Control

Even during winter storms, several parts of the workflow stay fully within your control. You decide when mail is prepared, how accurate it is, and when it’s handed off to the carrier. Print quality stays consistent regardless of the forecast, and you can give customers tracking information so they always know where their mail is in the process.

Many organizations rely on LetterStream’s online mailing tools to keep these steps steady. Because everything is created and managed digitally, businesses can continue sending mail online quickly, accurately, and reliably—even when the weather outside is unpredictable.

What Businesses Cannot Control

Once the carrier has the mail piece, winter weather can affect travel routes, staffing, and regional processing times. Storms may slow local transportation, ground flights, or create bottlenecks at certain facilities. These delays are outside your hands, but how you explain them to your customers is not.

How to Set Clear Expectations With Customers During Storms

Transparent communication is one of the most effective tools during winter weather. Customers want to know what’s happening and appreciate early, honest updates.

A simple email message often works best:
“Your letter was sent on ____. Because of regional winter weather, it may take a little extra time to move through the carrier’s system. You can follow its progress using the tracking link provided.”

This type of wording acknowledges the situation without sounding alarmed or placing blame.

For time-sensitive documents—such as invoices, tax forms, or year-end notices—it can help to send them a little earlier than usual. Many businesses also find it useful to review approaching weather patterns or local carrier advisories so they can anticipate possible slowdowns.

Helping Customers Stay Informed Without Overexplaining

Most customers don’t need a deep dive into postal operations; they simply want to know that their mail is on its way and that someone is paying attention. Clear, calm updates go a long way. Pointing customers to tracking information reduces guesswork and gives them confidence that the process is still moving, even if slowly.

This is also where a consistent workflow matters. When businesses use tools like LetterStream to print and send their mail online, they know that everything was prepared correctly and handed off promptly. That consistency provides a reliable foundation for customer communication, even when the weather adds some unpredictability.

Clarity Builds Trust in Winter

Winter weather is unavoidable, but confusion doesn’t have to be. When businesses understand what they control—and communicate honestly about what they don’t—customers stay informed and confident, even during unpredictable weather events.

To learn more about LetterStream or to sign up for a free account, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

Thankful for the People Behind Every Piece of Mail

Thanksgiving has a way of slowing us down. Even in a world built on speed, automation, and digital-to-physical communication, this day invites us to pause and appreciate the people behind the work — the people who trust us, rely on us, and show up for us.

For a company like LetterStream, where thousands of organizations depend on us to send critical mail online safely and accurately, Thanksgiving means more than a holiday. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do: to serve people — real people — with care, consistency, and gratitude.

So today, instead of talking about technology or systems or production workflows, we want to talk about you — our customers, our partners, and our team.

To Our Customers: You’re the Heart of What We Do

Whether you’ve used LetterStream for years or you just discovered our print and mail service this quarter, we are grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us.

Many of you handle high-stakes communication — legal notices, HOA statements, healthcare letters, financial updates, compliance mail, and everything in between. These aren’t just “mailings.” They’re commitments. They represent promises between you and your residents, your clients, your communities, and your stakeholders.

And each time you choose LetterStream to send mail online on your behalf, you’re trusting us with those commitments. We don’t take that lightly.

This year, we’ve seen businesses across dozens of industries adapt, scale, and find new ways to operate. You’ve navigated changes in cost structures, regulations, delivery expectations, technology, and customer needs — all while staying focused on serving others. We’re thankful to be part of that mission and honored to support it.

Whether you mailed 50 pieces or 50,000 pieces this year, you’ve helped us grow, improve, and innovate. And we’re thankful for the conversations, feedback, and stories you’ve shared about how our platform helps your business run smoother.

You make our work meaningful.

To the Teams Behind the Mailrooms, Desktops, and Dashboards

LetterStream works with incredible professionals — managers, operations leads, paralegals, billing teams, administrators, customer support staff, compliance officers, coordinators, and entire departments who keep communication moving.

You are the ones who:

Upload files at 10 p.m. because a deadline can’t wait
Choose Certified Mail online for accountability
Track delivery statuses for important recipients
Update addresses
Plan mail drops
Keep things running when systems change, when markets shift, or when volumes spike

You’re the unseen heroes in many organizations. The ones who protect timelines, ensure accuracy, and make sure the right information lands in the right hands.

We see the work you do, and today, we’re especially thankful for it.

To Our LetterStream Team: None of This Happens Without You

Technology matters. Systems matter. Automation matters. But people are what make LetterStream, LetterStream.

To our production crew — thank you for handling the physical side of business-critical communication with incredible precision. Every envelope sealed, every tray sorted, every shift covered… those seemingly small actions are what make our operation dependable.

To our customer support and account teams — thank you for being thoughtful, patient, and helpful. We hear from customers all the time about how much they appreciate working with real humans who genuinely care.

To our developers and technology teams — thank you for building dependable tools that allow customers to send mail online with confidence. The dashboards, visibility, and automation you create make life easier for thousands of people every day.

To our leadership, operations, marketing, and everyone who makes this place work — thank you for championing accuracy, consistency, and service. LetterStream exists because you do.

This Year, We Are Especially Grateful for…

Reliability.
Every time a customer uploads a file, selects a mail class, and trusts us to handle it — that’s a privilege. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve.

Resilience.
So many of our customers are navigating rising costs, shifting expectations, and changing communication habits. Yet you stay committed to accuracy and professionalism, and we’re honored to support you.

Relationships.
The emails, feedback, and shared ideas — they help us get better. We appreciate every conversation.

Impact.
Whether it’s a compliance notice, a billing statement, a legal communication, a postcard, or a simple reminder, your mailpieces matter more than you know. They help communities function, help organizations stay in rhythm, and help people stay informed.

Thank you for allowing us to play a part in that impact.

A Thanksgiving Message as We Head Toward 2026

As business mail evolves — with shifting costs, hybrid communication, and automation shaping the future — our commitment stays the same: to be the most reliable, secure, and user-friendly print and mail service available.

But more importantly, we remain committed to the people behind the mail.
The people who trust us.
The people who work alongside us.
The people who keep businesses and communities connected.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we want you to know one thing:

We are grateful for you — today and every day.

Enjoy this time with family, friends, and the people who make your world brighter. We’ll be here when you need us again — ready to help you send business-critical mail with confidence, accuracy, and ease.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so, here.

Easily Protect Your Business and Recipients From Mail Fraud and Scams

Mail has always been one of the most trusted ways to communicate — tangible, trackable, and personal. But in today’s environment, where digital and physical threats overlap, even the mail stream isn’t immune to fraud.

Businesses that rely on physical mail for invoices, statements, legal notices, or compliance documents must stay alert to the risks of mail fraud and scams. And with technology making it easier than ever to mimic official correspondence, protecting your business and your recipients requires a mix of vigilance, education, and smart mail management.

For organizations using a print and mail service like LetterStream, it’s not just about sending mail efficiently; it’s about ensuring that what’s sent is genuine, secure, and trusted.

Understanding Mail Fraud in Today’s Environment

Mail fraud has evolved beyond fake sweepstakes and counterfeit checks. Today, scammers use both digital and physical tactics to exploit trust in legitimate mail.

They may send letters that mimic a real company’s logo or wording, asking recipients to verify personal information. Others include QR codes or URLs that lead to phishing sites. In some cases, businesses themselves become victims — when fraudsters use their name, address, or branding to send deceptive mail that damages reputation and erodes customer trust.

For recipients, these scams often look convincing. For senders, even one fraudulent letter can create confusion, lost business, or compliance risk. That’s why organizations handling business-critical mail must implement safeguards at every stage, from data preparation to final delivery.

Common Types of Mail Fraud Targeting Businesses

Mail fraud can take many forms, but a few patterns appear most frequently:

Impersonation and brand misuse: Fraudsters imitate your company or a government agency using stolen logos, names, or templates to trick recipients into sending money or personal data.

Phishing-by-mail (also known as “smishing hybrids”): Scammers send physical letters with QR codes or web links that direct users to fake login pages.

Invoice and payment scams: Some criminals send convincing “replacement invoices” to redirect legitimate payments to fraudulent accounts.

Check theft and mail interception: Criminals target unlocked mailboxes or outgoing business mail to steal checks, documents, or credentials.

Each of these tactics relies on one thing: trust in the mail itself. Protecting that trust means combining secure mailing practices with recipient awareness.

How to Protect Your Business and Recipients

The best defense against mail fraud starts long before a letter leaves your office. Here are practical strategies to strengthen your mailing process and reduce exposure:

1. Secure Your Mailing Workflow

Limit access to sensitive data and production files. If you print in-house, control who can generate or approve official correspondence. If you outsource, choose a print and mail service with established data security protocols, encrypted uploads, and full tracking — like LetterStream’s secure platform.

2. Use Trackable and Verifiable Mail Classes

For critical or high-value communications, consider Certified Mail online or other traceable options. These services provide proof of mailing and delivery, making it harder for fraudulent mail to impersonate official correspondence.

3. Educate Recipients

Add small but effective fraud prevention elements to your mailpieces. For example, include a consistent return address, branded design, and clear contact information so recipients can verify authenticity. Educate your customers or members on what your legitimate mail looks like — and what it never includes (like requests for personal data or payments via third-party links).

4. Monitor for Unauthorized Use of Your Brand

Regularly check for fake mailings or lookalike campaigns using your organization’s name. Partner with your postal or compliance teams to report potential mail fraud to the USPS Inspection Service or the FTC.

5. Keep Your Data Clean and Your Process Documented

Fraudsters often exploit outdated mailing lists or unsecured workflows. By maintaining accurate recipient data and documenting your print-and-mail process, you reduce the chances of misdirected mail or data leaks that could be abused.

How LetterStream Supports Secure, Trusted Mail

At LetterStream, security and integrity are built into every mailing process. Our platform allows businesses to upload PDF documents securely, select mail classes, and track delivery with Certified Mail and FedEx 2Day from production to receipt. Each file is processed within a controlled, encrypted environment — minimizing handling, reducing the risk of interception, and ensuring confidentiality for both sender and recipient.

We also help organizations maintain consistency and professionalism in their printed materials — a key factor in building trust and deterring fraud. Whether you’re sending Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, or large-scale campaigns, your recipients will recognize your mail as legitimate, accurate, and on-brand.

Keep Your Mail Protected

Mail fraud may be evolving, but the solution is still rooted in diligence, design, and trusted delivery.

By tightening your processes, using secure services, and partnering with a reliable print and mail provider, you can protect both your organization and your recipients from scams.

Because in the end, trust is what keeps business mail powerful — and it’s worth protecting.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

The History of the Post Office

In a world where mail can be sent with a click, it’s easy to forget that the story of the United States Postal Service began nearly 400 years ago — inside a Boston tavern.

Before there were mail trucks, sorting centers, or tracking dashboards, there was a tavern in Boston — and a man named Richard Fairbanks. In 1639, Fairbanks’ Tavern became the first official drop-off and collection point for mail in the American colonies. For a small fee, he would receive letters from ships and forward them to their destinations.

That simple act of connection, moving messages between people and places, laid the foundation for what would become one of the most important networks in the world: the United States Postal Service (USPS). And today, companies like LetterStream continue that legacy in a modern way, using digital tools and print and mail automation to connect businesses and customers across the country.

The Colonial Roots of America’s Postal System

By 1672, an organized mail route existed between New York City and Boston. But communication across the colonies was slow and unreliable until 1775, when the Second Continental Congress created an official postal system and appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.

Franklin’s innovations — standardized routes, regular schedules, and fair pricing — made mail a national priority. When the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1787, Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 gave Congress the authority “to establish Post Offices and post Roads.” That single clause transformed communication into an infrastructure priority for a young nation.

The early postal network became the circulatory system of America, connecting cities, frontier towns, and government offices through handwritten letters carried by horseback and stagecoach.

Nation-Building: The Postal Service Act of 1792

In 1792, Congress passed the Postal Service Act, officially creating the U.S. Post Office Department. At the time, there were only 76 Post Offices and roughly 2,400 miles of post roads. Within two decades, that number exploded — more than 50,000 miles of routes carried letters to every corner of the growing country.

The early mission was simple: make mail accessible and affordable to everyone. That promise of universal service still defines the postal system — and it’s the same principle guiding modern printing and mailing partners like LetterStream, which helps organizations reach recipients anywhere through a fully online process.

The 1800s: Innovation, Expansion, and Reform

As the United States grew, so did its appetite for communication. In 1845, Congress reduced postage rates, making mail cheaper for ordinary citizens. Within a few years, letter volume doubled.

In remote areas, “Star Routes” — private contractors hired by the Post Office Department — carried mail to towns that government routes couldn’t reach. While the system faced corruption scandals in the 1870s, it also paved the way for nationwide access and efficiency reforms.

Then in 1872, the Post Office Department became a cabinet-level agency. It wasn’t just a service — it was a pillar of American infrastructure, helping to unify a rapidly industrializing nation.

The 20th Century: Airplanes, ZIP Codes, and Modernization

The 1900s brought extraordinary change. Rural Free Delivery (RFD) gave isolated communities daily access to mail. In 1925, the Air Mail Act opened the skies to private companies, laying the groundwork for the commercial aviation industry.

World War II introduced “V-Mail” — microfilmed letters that could be transported quickly and reprinted overseas — a precursor to today’s digital document transmission. By 1963, the invention of ZIP Codes modernized delivery, speeding up sorting and routing nationwide.

Each leap reflected a pattern: when technology changed, the postal system evolved with it. The same principle drives today’s innovations in mail automation, where companies like LetterStream integrate online ordering, real-time tracking, and cloud-based production to make business mail smarter and faster.

The Postal Reorganization Act and the Birth of USPS

By the late 1960s, the old Post Office Department was under pressure. Worker strikes and budget shortfalls demanded reform. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 transformed the system into the United States Postal Service — an independent agency designed to run with both business discipline and public service values.

When the USPS began operations in 1971, it set a model for reliability, accountability, and nationwide coverage that continues to shape how mail moves today. Modern send mail online platforms like LetterStream extend that same reliability into the digital age, merging the convenience of automation with the trust of physical delivery.

The Mailroom Revolution: From Post Roads to Print-and-Mail Online

The postal network that began with Franklin’s routes has now evolved into digital ecosystems. In 2025, businesses send and track letters not from behind mailroom counters but from online dashboards.

Mail automation platforms can print, insert, seal, and deliver letters with a few clicks — no stamps, no queues, no manual sorting.

Through LetterStream’s print and mail service, companies can upload files, choose mail classes such as Certified Mail online or First-Class Mail, and click send, without doing anything else.

It’s the same mission that began nearly 250 years ago — connecting people reliably — now powered by digital intelligence.

Looking Ahead: Legacy Meets Innovation

The story of America’s postal system isn’t just about history; it’s about evolution. From tavern counters to mail trucks to automated dashboards, the same commitment runs through it all: ensuring information moves securely, efficiently, and accessibly.

LetterStream continues that legacy by combining the reliability of USPS infrastructure with the precision of modern technology. When you print and mail online through LetterStream, you’re not just sending a letter — you’re taking part in a centuries-old promise of connection and trust.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

References

Smithsonian National Postal Museum – The Colonial Posts
https://postalmuseum.si.edu
Encyclopedia Britannica – Postal System of the United States
https://www.britannica.com/topic/postal-system/United-States
U.S. Postal Service (USPS) – Postal History and Historical Facts
https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/welcome.htm
National Archives Foundation – The U.S. Constitution: Postal Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 7)
https://www.archives.gov
National Archives Blog – The Unwritten Record – The Postal Service Act of 1792 and Early American Communication
https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov
U.S. Postal Service – A Short History of the United States Postal Service
https://about.usps.com/publications/pub100.pdf

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

Easily Stay Ahead of USPS Delays During the Holiday Season

The holiday season isn’t just busy for shoppers — it’s crunch time for the mailroom. Every delay, missed deadline, or late delivery can impact customer satisfaction when it matters most.

When the holidays arrive, the mailroom transforms overnight. What’s usually a steady rhythm of outgoing letters, statements, and documents suddenly turns into a whirlwind of holiday cards, notices, and year-end communications. For companies that depend on timely mail, this seasonal surge can make the difference between satisfied clients and missed deadlines.

For businesses using a print and mail service like LetterStream, the holidays don’t have to mean chaos. Understanding USPS patterns, preparing early, and relying on automated printing and mailing tools can help you navigate the busiest postal season with ease.

Why the Holiday Mail Rush Happens

Every December, the United States Postal Service (USPS) experiences its peak season. Billions of pieces of mail move through sorting facilities in just a few short weeks. While USPS scales up to meet demand, the volume is staggering — and even small hiccups can ripple across the system.

Mail centers become congested, trucks fill to capacity, and planes get grounded by weather delays. Even First-Class and Priority Mail can take longer than expected to arrive. Add in limited operating days around major holidays, and it’s easy to see why December delivery times can be unpredictable.

USPS has long advised both businesses and consumers to send mail early. In fact, it regularly updates its Holiday Shipping Deadlines page each year to remind mailers that the week before Christmas is the busiest of all. For organizations sending compliance documents, invoices, or legal mail, waiting until mid-December is often too late.

What the USPS Wants You to Know

Each year, USPS publishes guidance to help mailers plan ahead. For example, the agency’s holiday cutoff dates indicate when items should be dropped off or entered into the mail stream to reach their destination by December 25.

Those who use a print and mail service like LetterStream gain a big advantage here — they can schedule mailings ahead of time and automatically hit those deadlines without the stress of manual preparation. The bottom line: the earlier you send, the more predictable your results.

How Businesses Can Stay Ahead of the Holiday Surge

If you treat December like any other mailing month, you’ll likely run into delays. But with the right systems and timing, you can avoid the holiday overwhelm and delays altogether. Here’s how companies using LetterStream stay ahead.

1. Start Early and Build in Buffer Time

Success during the holidays starts with planning. Businesses that map out their holiday and year-end communications in advance save themselves from last-minute stress. Schedule your statements, compliance letters, and notices to go out before the USPS cutoff dates, not after.

With LetterStream’s SaaS platform, you can easily send mail online by uploading your files, choosing your mail type (First-Class, Certified, or FedEx 2Day), and scheduling your mailings for production ahead of time. Once it’s in our system, you can trust it’ll move when it needs to, no Post Office lines or last-minute runs required.

2. Match Your Mail Class to Your Message

During the holidays, every day counts. Certified Mail online or FedEx 2Day may be worth the extra investment when timing and accountability matter. LetterStream’s dashboard allows you to select the appropriate mail class and track delivery progress. You’ll always know when your documents are delivered.

3. Set Expectations and Communicate Early

Even the best-planned mailing strategy can be disrupted by weather or unexpected volume surges. That’s why proactive communication is key. Let recipients know when to expect their mail, and alert them early if USPS service updates suggest possible delays.

By keeping your audience informed, you reduce inbound calls and maintain trust — even if a few envelopes take a little longer to arrive.

4. Monitor USPS Alerts and Prepare Contingencies

The USPS regularly updates its Service Alerts page with weather advisories and regional disruptions. Checking those updates can help you stay informed about potential issues that could affect delivery times.

LetterStream clients also have the benefit of tracking their outgoing mail in real time (with Certified Mail and FedEx 2Day), helping them decide when to follow up digitally or resend critical documents via a faster class if needed (this applies to Certified Mail only). Automation gives your team the flexibility to adapt when things don’t go according to plan.

What the Great Mail Rush Teaches Businesses

The holiday rush reminds us that mail is still a vital part of doing business. Whether you’re sending compliance mail, invoices, or customer notices, physical mail continues to be a trusted, tangible form of communication.

But during peak seasons, manual processes can become your biggest bottleneck. Printing, folding, and stuffing envelopes by hand — especially at scale — can easily create backlogs. That’s why companies that rely on automated printing and mailing systems perform better under pressure.

LetterStream eliminates the manual work by handling the printing, sorting, sealing, and mailing for you. You simply upload your files and let automation do the rest. That means fewer headaches, fewer missed deadlines, and a lot less stress for your team.

Your Mailing Prepared

The “Great Mail Rush” doesn’t have to bring chaos to your business. When you plan early, automate your printing and mailing, and stay informed about USPS updates, you’ll find that even the busiest season can run smoothly.

Because when it comes to business mail, time matters — but preparation matters more.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

The Life of a LetterStream Letter and Why It’s So Easy

Ever wondered what happens after you hit upload? Here’s how LetterStream turns your digital file into real mail, sent quickly and securely.

I still remember the first time a customer asked me, “So what actually happens after I click upload?” It was a fair question and one that gave me the chance to pull back the curtain.

From the outside, it feels like magic: you upload a PDF, and a few days later (sometimes longer, given that it’s the USPS, after all), your letter arrives in someone’s mailbox. But, behind the scenes, there’s a carefully refined process that makes it happen smoothly, securely, and on time.

Let me take you on a quick journey of a letter’s life at LetterStream.

Step 1: The Upload

It all starts when you upload your PDF file to the LetterStream SaaS platform.

Once your file is in, our system immediately begins processing. Think of it like dropping your letter into a digital mailbox—but smarter, because it’s double-checked before it leaves.

Step 2: Preparing the Letter

Next, your file is transformed into a physical letter.

High-quality printing: Your document is printed on professional-grade equipment.
Inserting & addressing: Envelopes are automatically filled, sealed, and labeled.
Postage: Automatically applied.
Batch handling: Whether it’s one letter or ten thousand, automation keeps the process efficient and accurate.

This is where the heavy lifting happens, and it’s designed to reduce the human errors that often plague manual mailrooms.

Step 3: The Tracking

For many businesses—especially law firms, HOAs, and healthcare providers—proof of mailing and delivery is critical. That’s why tracking is built into the process.

Certified Mail: Tracking numbers are generated and stored digitally.
FedEx 2Day: Labels are created instantly for guaranteed delivery.
Dashboards: Customers can log in anytime to see the status of their letter.

This is where we make sure no letter becomes a mystery—every piece has a digital breadcrumb trail.

Step 4: Handoff to USPS or FedEx

Every day, the mail is picked up by USPS and FedEx. By the time it leaves the facility, it’s already prepared, tracked (if it applies), and ready for their delivery systems.

USPS Certified Mail: Scanned and tracked through their network, feeding updates back to your dashboard.
FedEx 2Day: Delivered with guaranteed timing and priority handling.
First-Class Mail: Entered into the regular delivery stream, typically reaching recipients within a few days.

From here, the letter is on its way.

Step 5: Arrival in the Mailbox

Finally, your letter arrives in the recipient’s mailbox. If it’s Certified, you’ll have proof of delivery (digital instead of green cards piling up). If it’s FedEx, you’ll see delivery confirmation. If it’s First-Class, you’ll know it’s already moved through the system within days.

From your perspective, it feels like magic. From ours, it’s the result of 22 years of refining the process so your mail gets where it needs to go—quickly, securely, and reliably.

Why This Matters

Most businesses don’t care about the machinery or logistics—they care about results:

No missed deadlines.
No lost proof of delivery.
No wasted staff hours on envelopes or Post Office runs.

That’s the life of a letter at LetterStream. From upload to mailbox, every step is designed to give you peace of mind.

Send Mail with LetterStream

The next time you upload a PDF to LetterStream, you’ll know what happens between your click and your recipient’s mailbox.

It’s not just mail, it’s a streamlined, proven process that saves you time and ensures your critical communications arrive where they’re supposed to.

LetterStream makes printing and mailing a breeze. To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so, here.