USPS 2023 Promotional Calendar – Tactile, Sensory, Interactive Promotion

By Dave Spinelli | Blog

Tactile, Sensory, and Interactive Promotion

 

Registration Period: January 9th, 2023 – July 31st

Promotion Period:  February 1st, 2023 – July 31st

Eligibility: USPS Marketing Mail and First Class Mail

Discount: 5%

 

 

How to qualify:

  1. Mailers must be uploaded via a PDF proof to the Mailing Promotions Portal.
  2. A hardcopy sample must be provided to the Promotions Office.
  3. The hard copy should be mailed to the Promotion Office one week before the first eligible mailing.

Specialty Inks

Conductive Inks: Conductive inks are used to activate an electronic device. These inks contain metal and are printed like any other ink. This ink results in a conduction of electricity.

Example: User presses a button that initializes a sound from the mail piece.

Thermochromics: This specialty ink changes color in response to different temperature variations.

Photochromic: This ink changes color to UV light exposure.

Metallic: This ink contains metallic particles. When this ink dries, the particles reflect light and create a metallic sheen.

Optically Variable Inks: This ink creates a different appearance depending on how the mail piece is viewed.

Sensory Treatments

Paper Texture:

These types of textures have been approved by the Post Office.

  • Leather Texture
  • Glitter or Gloss (minimum of 2″ x 2″)
  • Soft Touch
  • Embossing
  • Non-geometric and Trailing Edge Diecuts
  • Gloss Varnish or Gloss Stock

Scents: Scents can now be on the envelope or the mail piece.

Visual effects:

  • Holographics: This can also be applied as a sticker
  • Lenticular: This mail piece creates an illusion of a sense of motion or depth.

Interactive Elements

To qualify for the discount for interactive elements, the mailpiece must show effects using folds and other dimensional enhancements.

Examples that qualify:

  • Pop-Up – Three Dimensional Elements
  • Infinite folding
  • Trailing Edge Die-Cut
  • Scratch-off
  • Clean release cards
  • Perforated pull open strip

The interactive element can be placed on mail piece or on the envelope.