Mail List Processing - when to Suppress and when to De-Dupe
These are two similar but distinct processes that are often confused.
De-dupe refers to removing duplicate records from the mailing list(s) so as to ensure that these records are not mailed multiple copies of the same piece. The standards by which duplicate records are determined will be discussed in greater detail below. De-dupe only requires one list but can be done over multiple lists keeping in mind that every record in every list provided are potential mail recipients.
Suppression refers to the targeted removal of records from the mailing list so as to ensure these records are not mailed to. Suppression requires at least two lists. One being the mailing list which contains records that may be mailed to, the other being the suppression list which contains records not to be mailed to. In this process all of the records in the mailing list(s) which match records in the suppression list(s) will be extracted from the mailing list and not mailed to. None of the records in the suppression list(s) will be mailed to.
De-dupe is used to ensure that all recipients only receive one mail piece
Suppression is used to ensure that specific recipients receive no mail pieces
De-dupe/Suppression standards
These are 3 basic standards for dupe removal and/or suppression. In order from most selective to least they are:
1 per person – ensures that each person at a given address only receives one mail piece
1 per household – ensures that each last name at a given address only receives one mail piece
1 per address – ensures that each address only receives one mail piece
If you have questions about the best way to organize your list, call Printco anytime to talk to one of our mailing experts.
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