USPS | LetterStream Blog

What Happens to Undeliverable Mail (and the Strange Journeys It Takes)

Ever wondered what really happens to lost mail? The journey from a simple delivery error to the USPS Mail Recovery Center reveals a fascinating world most senders never see.

Every time you send a letter, whether you drop it in a blue mailbox, hand it to a courier, or upload it through a print and mail service like LetterStream, you expect it to reach its destination. Most mail does. But sometimes, even the best-prepared envelopes go missing.

Maybe the address was typed wrong. Maybe the recipient moved. Maybe the mailpiece had no return address at all. When that happens, your letter embarks on an unexpected journey — one that can pass through multiple facilities, sorting systems, and sometimes even a mysterious place called the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

For businesses that rely on printing and mailing automation, understanding this “dead mail” process isn’t just interesting, it’s essential for improving delivery, saving money, and protecting your reputation.

Why Mail Becomes Undeliverable

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles more than 120 billion pieces of mail every year, and while its accuracy rate is extraordinarily high, millions of items still end up in the category known as Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA).

According to the USPS Office of Inspector General, UAA mail costs the postal system — and businesses — billions of dollars each year. The main causes are simple:

Incorrect or incomplete addresses. Missing apartment numbers, wrong ZIP Codes, or poor handwriting are the biggest culprits.
Recipients who moved. If a Change of Address (COA) form wasn’t filed or has expired, forwarding fails.
No return address. Without one, USPS can’t send it back.
Delivery barriers. Vacant buildings, inaccessible mailboxes, or refused deliveries also trigger a UAA label.

For a business, undeliverable mail isn’t just lost, it’s expensive. Once you factor in printing, postage, and labor, each failed piece can cost more than $3 in wasted resources. And that adds up fast.

The Journey of Undeliverable Mail

So where does all that lost mail go? Here’s how USPS handles undeliverable items — step by step.

1. The Failed Delivery Attempt

A carrier tries to deliver the piece. If it can’t be delivered or forwarded, it’s flagged as “Undeliverable as Addressed” and rerouted to the local post office for further handling.

2. Return to Sender (If Possible)

If the item includes a valid return address, USPS usually returns it at no additional charge (for First-Class Mail and some other classes).

3. Forwarding to a New Address

If a forwarding order exists, the item may be redirected — though only for specific mail classes and limited time periods.

4. Transfer to the Mail Recovery Center (MRC)

If the mail can’t be delivered or returned, it’s sent to the Mail Recovery Center (MRC) in Atlanta — the facility formerly known as the “dead letter office.”

5. Review and Resolution

At the MRC, trained postal employees may carefully open undeliverable mail under federal privacy guidelines to look for identifying details such as names, account numbers, or sender addresses.

Mail with no value is recycled or destroyed.
Items with potential value are held for 30–60 days, then returned or auctioned through USPS’s public resale partner, GovDeals.

In other words, “lost mail” doesn’t vanish — it simply takes a long and circuitous route to its final resting place.

The Hidden Cost of Lost Mail

For consumers, undeliverable mail might mean a missing package or birthday card. For businesses, it’s a measurable cost and a reputational risk.

Every undelivered notice, invoice, or compliance letter represents wasted money and missed communication. For organizations in healthcare, finance, and property management, that can also mean compliance exposure — especially when delivery is legally required.

LetterStream’s print and mail service helps prevent those losses by automating the address verification process before mail ever leaves the building. The platform checks formatting, validates addresses through the USPS database, and ensures all mail includes proper return information — dramatically reducing the chance of UAA outcomes.

The Odd Realities of Undeliverable Mail

The world of “lost mail” has its quirks:

The postal term for returned mail is “nixie”, a label that dates back to the 1800s when clerks manually marked mail as undeliverable.
The Mail Recovery Center processes millions of undeliverable items every year, including forgotten valuables, photographs, and letters that never reached their destination.
In rare cases, mailpieces have been found abandoned or misrouted — reminders that even a system as robust as USPS has limits.

These oddities highlight the importance of precision. Even small data errors — a missing suite number, a mistyped street name — can send a letter hundreds of miles off course.

How Businesses Can Prevent Undeliverable Mail

The good news? Undeliverable mail is largely preventable. A few best practices can make all the difference.

1. Maintain Address Hygiene

Regularly validate your mailing lists using USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) data and formatting standards. LetterStream’s automation checks addresses in real time before printing if you opt in for this service.

2. Always Include a Return Address

It sounds basic, but it’s critical. Without one, undeliverable mail has no path back to you and is immediately routed to the MRC.

3. Select the Right Mail Class

Different USPS classes have different forwarding and return rules. LetterStream helps you choose between First-Class, Certified, or Marketing Mail based on your delivery goals.

4. Track and Learn from Returned Mail

Returned mail includes valuable information — “Moved, Left No Address,” “Insufficient Address,” etc. Use those USPS endorsements to update your databases.

5. Automate Everything You Can

LetterStream’s send mail online platform integrates address validation, print automation, and delivery tracking — helping you eliminate human error and reduce undeliverable volume.

The Bottom Line

Undeliverable mail isn’t just a postal curiosity — it’s a reminder that even small data errors can create big costs.

For businesses, the solution lies in automation, accuracy, and insight. By partnering with a print and mail service like LetterStream, you can dramatically reduce the risk of UAA mail, improve communication reliability, and keep your brand reputation intact.

Because in business, mail that doesn’t arrive isn’t just lost — it’s a missed opportunity.

To learn more about LetterStream, click here.

References

U.S. Postal Service (USPS) – Mail Recovery Center Overview & FAQ
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2013/pr13_058.htm
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) – Strategies to Reduce Undeliverable as Addressed Mail (RARC-WP-18-011)
https://www.uspsoig.gov/document/strategies-reduce-undeliverable-addressed-mail
Reader’s Digest – What Happens to Lost Mail? Inside the Mail Recovery Center
https://www.rd.com/article/usps-lost-mail
National Public Radio (NPR) – Inside the Postal Service’s Dead Letter Office
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12147844
Smithsonian National Postal Museum – Nixie Clerks and Undeliverable Mail
https://postalmuseum.si.edu
USPS PostalPro – Address Quality Solutions and NCOA Data https://postalpro.usps.com/address-quality

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.

How Mailing Automation Easily Saves You Time and Money

At LetterStream, innovation has always meant one thing: finding smarter ways for businesses to send mail online with less stress and more confidence.

When LetterStream started back in 2003 (Wow! How has it been that long already?!), “innovation” in mailing meant buying a faster printer or finding a cheaper way to stuff envelopes. Those improvements helped a little—but they didn’t solve the real problem: businesses were wasting too much time managing critical mail.

That’s been our focus for 22 years. Not building flashy tech for the sake of it, but making practical changes that save customers time, reduce stress, and give them confidence that their mail is handled correctly.

Automation That Frees People Up

The word “automation” gets thrown around a lot these days. For us, it simply means taking repetitive, low-value tasks off your team’s plate. This looks like:

Uploading your documents online and never touching an envelope again
No more Post Office trips for Certified Mail or any mail
No more spreadsheets of tracking numbers.
No more manual filing of green cards
Hitting send, and your mail “magically” gets sent out for you

Basically, it means you upload your documents, and the rest is handled for you. No more printing, stuffing envelopes, manually applying addresses and postage stamps, and then making that dreaded trip to the Post Office.

Innovation isn’t about robots replacing people. It’s about giving skilled staff their time back. I’d rather see a paralegal focusing on casework than standing in line at the Post Office.

Smarter Tools, Not Flashy Tech

We’ve never chased trends. Our goal has always been: what do customers need to make mailing easier this week?

That’s why we’ve built tools like:

An easy platform that lets you upload and mail a job in 2 minutes or less
An address validation service that prevents costly errors before letters go out
Tracking dashboards so you know exactly where your Certified Mail is—without digging through piles of slips
Digital proof of delivery so you never lose another green card
Ability to pause a job or cancel a job if needed

These aren’t futuristic gadgets. They’re everyday tools that quietly make life simpler for HOAs, law firms, healthcare administrators, and countless other professionals.

The Human Side of Innovation

The biggest impact of innovation at LetterStream isn’t in the software or the machines—it’s in the people who get their time back.

I’ve seen law firms where paralegals no longer spend Fridays filing green cards. HOAs that stopped stressing about compliance deadlines because Certified Mail tracking is automatic. Healthcare teams that reallocated staff hours from stuffing envelopes to serving patients.

That’s the kind of innovation we believe in—the kind that makes real people’s workdays better.

Innovation Without the Hype

At LetterStream, innovation doesn’t mean chasing the latest buzzword. It means quietly finding ways to make mailing simpler, faster, and less stressful for the businesses that depend on it.

From automation that saves staff hours, to smarter tools that prevent errors, to greener processes that happen naturally when you work online—every improvement is built with one mission in mind: making your life easier.

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

USPS Postage Rates Are Rising Again This July. Here’s What You Need to Know.

The First-Class stamp is about to rise by another five cents starting on July 13, 2025.

Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s happening again. Starting July 13, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will raise its postage prices. Luckily, this is the first increase of the year. In the past, USPS has been known to raise its prices twice in one year (both in January and July), but this year, they surprised us and gave us all a bit of a break in January. However, we couldn’t get too comfortable.

Bummer, we know.

So, if you’re mailing statements, notices, compliance letters, or Certified Mail, this change affects your bottom line. The good news? We’re being completely transparent with the cost, making it easy to understand and even easier to manage.

July 2025 USPS Postage Rate Increase: What’s Changing?

First, let’s look at what the USPS is changing this July:

First-Class Letters (1 oz): $0.73 → $0.78 (5¢ increase)
First-Class Metered Mail: $0.69 → $0.74 (5¢ increase)
International Letters (1 oz): $1.65 → $1.70 (5¢ increase)
First-Class Flats: $1.50 → $1.63 (13¢ increase)
Certified Mail: $4.85 → $5.30 (45¢ increase)
Certified ERR (Electronic Return Receipt): $2.62 → $2.82 (20¢ increase)
Extra Ounces (Letters): $0.28 → $0.29 (1¢ increase)
Postcards: $0.56 → $0.62 (6¢ increase)
Registered Mail: $21.75 → $23.40 ($1.65 increase)
Registered Mail International RR: $6.10 → $6.70 (60¢ increase)
Certificate of Mailing (firmbook): $2.20 → $2.40 (20¢ increase)
Marketing Mail: 37¢ increase

LetterStream’s New Pricing Effective July 13, 2025

Now, keep in mind, LetterStream isn’t raising service prices, but we will be increasing the rate of postage. Our updated pricing list includes the new postage rates only, nothing more, nothing hidden.

LetterStream’s pricing list with new postage rates included:

First-Class Letter: New price starting at $1.23
Flats: New price starting at $2.67
Certified Mail (no ERR): New price starting at $8.34 (Certified Mail includes Certified Mail postage increase of 45¢ plus First-Class postage increase of 5¢, making the total postage increase 50¢)
Certified Mail with Electronic Return Receipt: New price starting at $11.16 (Certified Mail ERR includes Certified Mail postage increase of 45¢ plus First-Class postage increase of 5¢, making the total postage increase 50¢, along with the 20¢ ERR increase, putting the total postage increase at 70¢ per letter)
Express Postcards: New price starting at $0.87
PRO Postcards: New price starting at $1.25 (Pro Postcards get the same amount as First-Class postage, which increased by 5¢)
International Letters: New price starting at $2.73
Marketing Mail: New price starting at $ 1.41
Registered Mail: New price starting at $35.88 (Registered mail always goes up by the Registered base increase, plus Registered International Return Receipt, and First-Class International (so this time around, first class int’l is going up by .05, int’l return receipt is going up by .60, and registered base is going up by 1.65, so the Registered Mail cost is going up by a total of 2.30)
Extra Ounces (Letters): New price going up to $0.29

To view a breakdown by product type, visit our products page.

Why This Matters for Your Business

If you’re sending hundreds—or thousands—of pieces of mail a month by snail mail, even a five-cent increase per item adds up. Here’s why now is the time to review your mailing operations:

Budget Smarter, Not Harder – Postage may seem like a minor line item—until it suddenly isn’t. A few cents here and there can quietly add thousands to your annual spend if you’re mailing at scale. This mid-year increase gives you a chance to reforecast your mailing budget, adjust client billing (if applicable), and avoid end-of-year sticker shock. The businesses that stay ahead of these changes are the ones that don’t lose sleep over them.
Reassess the Way You Mail – If your team is still printing documents, folding them by hand, stuffing envelopes, applying postage, and hauling bins to the post office—you’re not just paying more in postage now. You’re also spending time, labor, and resources on a process that could be handled in minutes. Higher USPS rates only amplify the cost of inefficiency. Now’s the perfect time to ask: Is your mailing strategy working for you, or slowing you down?
Communicate Across the Board – Postage hikes affect more than just your mailroom—they ripple through your budget, operations, and customer relationships. If you pass along mail costs to clients, it’s essential to communicate the new rates clearly and proactively. And internally, make sure your teams are aligned so there are no surprises when the next invoice goes out. A little transparency now builds a lot of trust later.
Shift to Smarter Delivery (Without Losing Control) – You don’t have to overhaul your business to modernize your mail. Whether you’re outsourcing Certified Mail, exploring First-Class automation, there are ways to mail smarter without reinventing the wheel. Let your team focus on high-value work, and let us handle the envelopes, postage, mailing and even tracking. You’ll gain time, control, and peace of mind.

Let LetterStream Handle the Heavy Lifting

Unfortunately, we can’t stop USPS from raising prices, but we can make sending mail a lot easier, faster, and more reliable.

Here are some benefits of having an account with LetterStream:

Upload a document and send it in under 2 minutes
Track Certified Mail right from inside of your account
No minimums, no monthly fees
Store and access all your job history and PDFs digitally
Add multiple users and manage accounts easily
Get fast, accurate and reliable mailing, every time
Trips to the Post Office are a thing of the past

Considering Email Instead? We’ve Got That Too.

We get it—when postage goes up (again), the idea of going digital gets a little more appealing. If you’re rethinking how you send statements, notices, or other business-critical documents, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to leave LetterStream to make the switch.

In addition to our full suite of print and mail services, we also offer eDoc Delivery, a simple way to send your documents via email, straight from your LetterStream account. This service can be done in place of or in addition to your regular UPSP mailings.

To learn more visit our free 24/7 online Chatbot for pricing and next steps.

Don’t Let the Postage Hike Slow You Down

Mail is still essential for business and it doesn’t have to be a burden. With LetterStream, you can send smarter, stay ahead of pricing changes, and focus on what actually moves your business forward.

For more information regarding the July 2025 price increase, visit the USPS website or you can download the list of rate changes 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.

How to Prepare For the New USPS Postage Increase

Heads-up: USPS is raising postage prices on July 13, 2025, and yes—this affects your mail spend.

Starting July 13, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is raising its rates again. And while we’re not here to gripe about it (okay, maybe a little), it’s important that anyone sending business-critical mail knows exactly what this means—and what it doesn’t.

Because while USPS postage rates are going up, we’ve got one important update on our end: we’re not increasing our prices at LetterStream. But we will be adjusting the postage portion of your job to match the new USPS rates.

So let’s break it down in plain English.

What’s Changing with USPS Postage in July 2025?

USPS has announced a postage rate hike effective July 13, 2025. This includes increases to:

Forever stamps (1‑oz letters, retail): 73¢ → 78¢ (+5¢)
Metered letters (1‑oz): 69¢ → 74¢ (+5¢)
Domestic postcards: 56¢ → 62¢ (+6¢)
International letters/postcards (1‑oz): $1.65 → $1.70 (+5¢)
Additional ounce (letters): 28¢ → 29¢ (+1¢)

Everyone keeps asking why? Why does the USPS keep raising prices and the truth is, USPS cites inflation, transportation costs, and their Delivering for America 10-year plan, which is essentially their roadmap for becoming more self-sustaining and less reliant on congressional funding. (It’s ambitious. We’ll give them that.) The good news in all this, Certified Mail did NOT get a price increase, at least this time around.

📌 Source: U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July – Newsroom – About.usps.com

How Will This Impact Your Business Mail?

If you’re a business owner, HOA board, attorney, property manager, or anyone who relies on sending physical mail—this change affects you. Whether you send 50 invoices a week or 5,000 statements a month, higher postage means higher mailing costs… that’s why it’s important to plan for it.

LetterStream’s software automatically reflects the most current USPS rates, so you’ll always be working with accurate numbers. No guesswork. No surprises. But the important part is this: our print and processing prices aren’t changing.

The only increase you’ll see is the actual postage cost passed through from USPS.

**Wait, You’re Not Raising Prices?**

Correct. We’re keeping our service prices exactly the same.

We’re not in the business of sneaking in price hikes every time USPS makes a move. This doesn’t mean we won’t ever raise our prices in the future, but it would be because it makes sense for our business, not because the USPS upped their prices again. The only thing you’ll see go up on your invoice is the postage itself—because that’s the part we don’t control. We print it, we add postage, and we mail it, but we don’t drive the mail trucks to get it to its destination.

In other words, you still get the same streamlined, secure, high-quality print and mail service without paying more for it—even when the postage does its thing.

Why Postage Still Matters (Even in 2025)

You might be thinking, “Why does postage even matter in the digital age?”

Here’s the truth: physical mail still drives results when it comes to things like:

Legal and compliance notices
Certified Mail® tracking
HOA violation letters and annual meeting announcements
Invoices, checks, and account statements
Election mail, ballots, and secure communication

Digital can get lost in spam folders or unread inboxes. Mail gets opened, signed for, and taken seriously. But yes, you do need to keep up with postage changes—and know who’s actually handling your mail behind the scenes.

Preparing for the USPS July Price Increase

Here’s what we recommend:

Double-check your mailing budget – If you’re running recurring mailings or compliance letters, bake in the new postage rate starting mid-July.
Audit your mailings – Are you still sending return envelopes? Duplicating statements? Mailing to outdated addresses? This is a great time to streamline.
Use a platform like ours – If you’re still printing and stamping in-house, you’re not just absorbing postage increases—you’re paying in time, labor, and headaches.

Now’s the time to automate your print and mail process, make sure you’re sending the right pieces, and stop manually adjusting for rate changes.

Let’s Keep This Simple

To recap:

USPS postage is going up on July 13, 2025
LetterStream is not raising its prices
Your postage cost will reflect the new USPS rates automatically
Your mail will still go out fast, accurate, and tracked—without you lifting a finger

If you’ve never tried sending mail online with LetterStream, now’s a good time to make the switch.

We’ll keep printing, you stay focused on what matters because LetterStream makes print and mail a breeze!

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.

Small Businesses Can Easily Save Time by Sending Mail Online

Running a Small Business? Here’s the Truth: You Don’t Have Time to Send Mail

I don’t know who needs to hear this; small business owners may be superheroes but they can’t do everything all the time. No matter how much they may want to.

Trust me, I’ve been there.

Every week, I talk to people juggling sales calls, fixing printers, answering customer emails, reviewing budgets, mailing invoices, basically just trying to run their business, sometimes all before lunch. The hustle is real, but the exhaustion is even more real.

And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re also supposed to figure out how to scale?

It’s a lot! But there are some solutions that can help you manage, at least some of your tasks.

That’s where online platforms come in—not as some shiny tech trend, but as a legit way to give you your actual time back.

Let’s talk about that for a second.

You Don’t Have a Time Problem. You Have a “Too Much Stuff” Problem

The thing that eats up time isn’t usually one big project—it’s 37 tiny ones. Like printing and mailing letters one by one (I beg you, please stop doing this) or waiting to send out statements until “there are enough to make it worth the trip.”

I hear that one a lot.

But guess what? Waiting for mail to pile up can just get you behind. Not to mention the time, energy, and money it takes for supplies, postage, and gas to get your mail out.

This is one of those places where a good online platform changes the game. Especially if you use LetterStream (see what I did there?) You don’t need to wait. You don’t need a minimum. You just upload the file and poof—it’s mailed. Certified Mail with tracking, First-Class, FedEx 2Day, pretty much whatever you need mailed, we can make it happen.

There are no Post Office trips, no printer jams, and no awkward conversations with Cheryl in the office about whose turn it was to buy stamps.

You Don’t Need a Bigger Team—You Need Better Tools

If you’ve ever thought, “We’re just too small to outsource that,” I get it, and I hear you.

But it’s not about being “big enough.” It’s about being smart enough to say, “I shouldn’t be doing this by hand anymore.”

Mail is one of those sneaky things that seems manageable—until it’s not. Until you’re up late stuffing envelopes for a compliance deadline. Until the return address stamp runs dry or the postage meter isn’t working right. Until you realize you’ve spent a quarter of your week doing something that could’ve been automated.

That’s why we built our platform to feel like you’ve hired someone without actually hiring anyone. Literally, all you have to do is upload your documents, and we’ll handle the printing, stuffing, postage, and mailing. Like magic, but USPS-approved.

You Started This Business for a Reason. It Probably Wasn’t to Buy Envelopes

There are so many great platforms out there that save small businesses time when it comes to email marketing, accounting, scheduling…you name it.

But mail is still this weird gap no one talks about. It’s like the boring admin task that somehow still runs a huge part of your operations. And when it’s not done right—or not done at all—it can cause real problems.

We’re not here to fix everything. But if we can make mail one less thing you have to think about, that’s a win. And it’s a big win.

Because your best energy should go into growing your business, not folding paper and hunting down stamps.

You Deserve to Run a Business That Doesn’t Burn You Out

If you’re still mailing everything manually, ask yourself why.

Is it saving you money? Probably not.
Is it helping you scale? Definitely not.
Is it just what you’ve always done? Yeah… that’s usually it.

Let the old way go.

You don’t need to do it all. You just need to stop doing the parts that can be done for you.

And if mail is one of those parts? We’re here. No minimums. No stress. It’s that simple. Remember, small businesses don’t have to do it all and it usually doesn’t help them save money in the end either.

Curious what it looks like to never visit the Post Office again?
Start here: LetterStream.com

Healthcare Mailing: Why Letterstream Is the Best Choice

Healthcare Mailing Made Simple, Secure, and Reliable

LetterStream understands the unique challenges that healthcare professionals face when it comes to mailing important documents. From ensuring HIPAA compliance to handling high volumes of time-sensitive patient statements, we’ve designed our mailing services to meet the specific needs of medical organizations. Accuracy, security, and efficiency drive everything we do, making us the preferred choice for healthcare providers across the country.

What Sets LetterStream Apart for Healthcare Mailing?

Seamless Online Mailing: With LetterStream’s SAAS platform, healthcare professionals can send patient statements, insurance updates, and compliance notices entirely online. Simply upload documents, choose mailing preferences, and let our system handle the printing, inserting, and sending—all from your computer, with no manual processing needed.

Unmatched Security & HIPAA Compliance: Healthcare mail requires the highest level of confidentiality. LetterStream’s secure mailing services are designed to safeguard patient data while ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory standards. We handle sensitive documents with precision so that you never have to worry about security risks.

Speed and Accuracy You Can Rely On: LetterStream prioritizes getting your mail out the door as quickly as possible. Our streamlined processing system ensures that patient statements, insurance notices, and compliance mailings are printed, inserted, and sent with minimal turnaround time. Our automated workflows and optimized mailing solutions help healthcare providers avoid delays, keeping operations running smoothly and efficiently.

Making Medical Billing Effortless

Managing patient billing can be overwhelming, but LetterStream streamlines the process with:

Quick uploads of invoice and statement mailings: easily send patient invoices and statements with minimal effort, reducing administrative workload
Real-time tracking: Confirm delivery with Certified Mail tracking and opt-in for an Electronic Return Receipt (proof of signature)
Bulk mailing capabilities: handles large volumes effortlessly

Through your LetterStream account, your office can send billing statements with complete visibility, eliminating bottlenecks in patient communication.

Trusted for Insurance & Compliance Notices

Healthcare providers and insurance companies trust LetterStream’s mailing solutions for:

HIPAA-compliant insurance notifications
Policy updates and regulatory mailings
Appointment reminders and compliance notices
Medical bill statements

With being able to upload jobs in under two minutes or less and with compliance-focused features, we make sure critical documents arrive securely and on time.

Experience Hassle-Free Healthcare Mailing with LetterStream

Our goal is to make healthcare mailing faster, safer, and easier. Whether you’re sending medical statements, compliance letters, or insurance notices, LetterStream handles it all with precision and reliability.

Start simplifying your healthcare mail today with LetterStream’s Online Printing & Mail Services!

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 Take the Stress Out of Tax Season with Letterstream

Using LetterStream to send out tax documents makes tax season a breeze.

Tax season can be a logistical nightmare, especially when it comes to sending out time-sensitive documents like 1099s, W-2s, and IRS correspondence. Ensuring your tax forms are mailed accurately and on time is crucial to avoid penalties and keep everything running smoothly. That’s where LetterStream comes in—making tax season easier with secure, efficient mailing solutions.

Meeting Tax Deadlines with Ease

One of the biggest challenges of tax season is meeting strict IRS deadlines. Missing deadlines can lead to fines and compliance issues, but with LetterStream’s quick turnaround, you can easily upload tax documents for immediate processing, ensure on-time mailing with First-Class Mail and Certified Mail tracking options to confirm delivery. LetterStream also offers a way to expedite your mailing to get your tax documents out the door same-day or within one business day, in the event that you’re behind on getting them mailed.

Reducing Manual Work with Automated Mailing

Printing, folding, and stuffing tax documents manually can be a hassle—especially in bulk. LetterStream automates the process, handling everything from printing and envelope stuffing to applying postage and ensuring your mail is secure and sent out quickly. Simply upload your tax forms, and LetterStream takes care of the rest!

Ensuring Security & Compliance

Security is critical when mailing tax documents, as they contain sensitive information. LetterStream prioritizes data protection with secure handling that meets compliance standards, certified mail options for proof of delivery, and processing methods that align with IRS mailing requirements.

Flexible Mailing Options for Businesses & Individuals

Businesses and accountants handling bulk tax documents need adaptable solutions. LetterStream offers options for bulk mailing high-volume tax documents, Certified Mail for IRS correspondence, and priority mailing for urgent send outs, ensuring every tax-related mailing is managed efficiently.

Tracking Your Tax Mailings in Real Time

Concerned about lost tax forms? LetterStream provides Certified Mail with tracking, so you always know when your tax documents are mailed and delivered. With confirmation for each piece of mail, reduced risks of missing important tax documents, and timely updates for clients and employees, you gain complete peace of mind.

Simplify Tax Season Today

Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. LetterStream is a hassle-free way to send tax documents securely, efficiently, and on time. Save time, reduce errors, and meet every IRS deadline with ease.

Get started with LetterStream’s Online Printing & Mail Services today!

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 Expedite Your Mailing on LetterStream

Get Your Mail Out Faster—Because Time is Money (And Sanity!)

Speed matters, and when you need important documents sent out quickly, every second counts. Whether you’re sending out HOA notices, legal documents, open enrollment letters, or those important business statements, you want them out the door yesterday. The good news? Expediting your mailing with LetterStream is easier than you think. Let’s break down how to get your mail moving at warp speed.

Pick The Right Mailing Option

First, let’s talk about delivery. Now we can’t guarantee when the mail will actually be delivered. However, we can guarantee that we can get it out fast, but once it leaves our facilities and in the hands of the United States Postal Service (USPS) then it’s out of our hands. However, we do offer different mailing options that can help to hopefully get your mail there quicker. Let’s break it down:

FedEx 2Day: The Fastest and most secure way to get your mail delivered. FedEx 2Day does guarantee that your mail will get there within two business days. You can also opt-in to track it and get a signature.
First-Class Mail: Considered the best bet for speed and affordability—typically delivered in 1-5 business days.
Certified Mail: This is good option for tracking and proof of mailing. However, if we’re being honest, Certified Mail can sometimes take a long time to be delivered, but you can track it right from inside of your LetterStream account for when it gets sent off and delivered. You can also choose an Electronic Return Receipt if you’d like to have proof of signature as an option.

Expedite Your Mailing

We’re fast when it comes to getting your mail out the door. How fast you ask? Well, we’re proud to say that 95% of all mail goes out by next business day. So we’d say pretty fast. But, if you have a really critical piece of mail or last-minute mailing that you need to be sure gets out the door within one business day or same-day, then the Expedite mail option is your new best friend. Selecting expedite guarantees your letters go out the same day or guaranteed the next day.

Expedite Options:

Expedite Processing: Your mail will be mailed within 1 business day.

Rush Processing: Your mail will be mailed the same business day if submitted before the cutoff time, which is typically 3 PM Arizona time.

Here’s how to expedite your mailing:

Log in to your free LetterStream account.
Name your mailing and upload your pre-addressed PDF or CSV address list and choose your mailing type.
Choose your return address and then proceed to upload any documents, inserts or return envelopes that may be needed.
Review your recipient’s list.
Review the Job Confirmation page and then continue to payment.
On the My Account – Billing Information page you will see an option for “Expedite.” It is automatically set to choose “normal processing (included).

Click on the dropdown and choose “expedited processing (additional fee)” or “rush processing (additional fee)” for same-day. Take note that it may say “Same Day Available Before 3:00 PM MST” if after the same-day cut-off time.

You can then continue on to pay for your job with the expedited processing fee included.

Upload Like a Pro in 2 Minutes or Less

Want to make sure your bulk mailing can be uploaded quickly and without any issues arising? Here are some tips and helpful resources to make your mailings a breeze:

PreFlight your PDFs with our PDF PreFlight Tool: Use this tool to make sure your PDFs are formatted correctly for easy upload without any mistakes to mailing addresses, perf lines or document discrepancies. Click here to learn more.

Address Check: Check to make sure addresses are properly formatted so there are no delays. LetterStream offers an Address Cleanup service to be extra sure your addresses are correct and up-to-date.

Bulk Upload: Uploading multiple docs? Group them together for a smoother, faster experience.

Using LetterStream to Send Mail Online Is a Breeze

Using LetterStream to send your business-critical mail online is super easy. But if you feel like you need some questions answered or resources to help make your mailing that much easier, we’ve got you!

We have our awesome Chat Help that is available 24/7 located in the bottom right-hand corner of our website.
Our Help Docs are available online to view at any time.
Our YouTube is growing and gives you step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish sending mail through us, along with other tutorials and tips & tricks for how to be successful using LetterStream.

Bottom line, we’re here to make sure your mail gets out where it needs to go—fast.

Expediting Your Mail

Expediting your mail with LetterStream is as easy as clicking “Send.” Whether you need a quick turnaround or full-on lightning speed, we’ve got the tools and expertise to make it happen.

So, ready to skip the mailing stress? Join the LetterStream family and see just how easy it really is!

Easily Optimize Your Mailing Lists

When it comes to business communication, an optimized mailing list is the key to ensuring mail reaches the right recipients efficiently, without wasted resources. Whether you’re sending invoices, recall notices, customer updates, or legal notices, maintaining a clean, accurate mailing list ensures your mail reaches the right recipients—every time.

Why Mailing List Optimization Matters

A poorly maintained mailing list can lead to returned mail, wasted postage, and missed business opportunities. Inaccurate addresses don’t just drain budgets—they can also disrupt customer relationships by delaying critical documents such as statements, compliance notices, and contracts.

By keeping your mailing list up to date, businesses can:

Reduce undelivered mail – Avoid unnecessary costs and mailing delays.
Improve customer experience – Ensure timely and accurate communication.
Enhance operational efficiency – Streamline mail processing with clean data.
Maximize ROI – Minimize wasted printing and postage expenses.

Best Practices for Optimizing Your Mailing List

1. Regularly Verify and Clean Your Data

Before sending any mail, validate your mailing list against official postal databases. Address verification tools like USPS CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification ensure addresses are correctly formatted and deliverable.

Pro Tip: Run your mailing list through an NCOA (National Change of Address) update at least quarterly to catch address changes. LetterStream offers this as an added service for your mailing. You can learn more about it here.

2. Remove Duplicates and Incomplete Addresses

Duplicate entries inflate printing and postage costs, while incomplete addresses can result in returned mail. Check your mailing list for:

Multiple entries for the same recipient
Variations in name formatting
Addresses missing suite or apartment numbers

3. Segment Your Mailing List

Not all mailings are the same! By segmenting your list based on recipient type, business relationship, or mailing priority, you can:

Ensure legal and compliance documents reach the correct recipients with Certified Mail tracking
Separate customer invoices from marketing mail
Customize bulk mail campaigns for different regions

4. Standardize Address Formatting

Incorrect address formatting can cause mail delays or returns. Standardizing your list ensures every address follows USPS guidelines. If you’re not using the National Change of Address database, then here are some quick formatting tips:

Use all capital letters (optional but recommended)
Abbreviate street suffixes properly (ST for Street, AVE for Avenue, BLVD for Boulevard)
Ensure ZIP codes are correct, using ZIP+4 where possible

5. Utilize Digital Address Validation Tools

Automated validation tools help businesses catch errors in real-time before they result in undelivered mail. Many online mailing services, including LetterStream, offer built-in address verification to improve data accuracy. To utilize our CASS or National Change of Address NCOA services, click here.

6. Track and Update Address Changes

People and businesses move frequently. Using USPS Address Change Services helps keep your mailing list updated and minimizes undeliverable returns.

Best Practice: When receiving returned mail, update your database immediately to prevent future issues.

Optimized Mailing List Saves Time and Money

All-in-all, a well-optimized mailing list saves time, reduces costs, and improves business communication. By verifying addresses (especially with the help of the National Change of Address USPS), removing duplicates, segmenting recipients, and using automation, businesses can significantly enhance their mailing efficiency and success rate.

Looking for a hassle-free way to manage your business mail? LetterStream provides online printing and mailing services that make sending real mail easy, accurate, and efficient—without the headaches.

Start optimizing your mailing strategy today!