Direct mail blog | Tips, guides & insights | Stannp.com

What is hybrid mail?

Written by Sam Heaton | Apr 16, 2024 4:01:00 PM

Hybrid mail lets businesses send professional printed mail letters, postcards and brochures entirely from their desks, without printing, stamping or post office trips. It’s mail that is delivered using a combination of electronic production and physical delivery.

Hybrid mail is Stannp.com’s speciality, in fact, it’s the reason we exist. Stannp.com was incorporated in June 2014, with the purpose of offering SaaS mail solutions; offering companies fully digital, integrated solutions to their direct mail needs.

What are the main advantages of hybrid mail?

Is your team spending time and money preparing, printing and posting mail? If so, switching to hybrid mail can save your business both time and money. 

  • No more printing, folding and inserting
  • No more sticking stamps or franking envelopes
  • No more trips to the post office or bagging mail for collection

Through using Stannp.com’s hybrid mail platform, your team can do all of this without leaving their desks, and our solution includes printing and posting, all for less than the cost of a 2nd class stamp!

How can hybrid mail help me?

  • No need for you to store envelopes, letterhead paper, etc, we print the letterhead at the same time as the rest of the letter.
  • No wasted paper; we only charge you for the exact amount you send. If your logo or letterhead changes, simply update the design; there’s no stock to recycle or scrap.
  • Increased staff productivity; your team can send mail to customers or prospects from their desks with a few simple clicks, and spend more time on your core business tasks.
  • Reduced costs; Because of the volume of items Stannp.com sends, we have access to discount postage rates.
  • Speedier service; Stannp.com’s proprietary software pre-sorts your mail to Royal Mail’s requirements before printing. Pre-sorting allows us to use Down Stream Access (DSA) and inject your mail directly into the delivery network, meaning a speedier service.
  • Flexibility: Send exactly what you need, when you need to send it. No minimum volume, no minimum spend, and no forward contracts or ongoing commitments.

The different types of hybrid mail.

  • Direct Mail – In the context of Stannp.com, this is simply an alternative name for hybrid mail, used interchangeably.
  • AdMail – a Royal Mail specific phrase, this is hybrid mail that is specifically for marketing purposes, and meets Royal Mail’s AdMail specifications.
  • Marketing Mail – Similar to AdMail, for marketing mailings with other national carriers (such as USPS). Sometimes used in the UK as an alternative name for AdMail.
  • Transactional Mail – Hybrid mail, which is sent to customers containing details of their specific transactions.

How do I get started?

Simply register for your account, upload your document and data, create your design in a few simple clicks, approve the PDF proof, book your dispatch date and pay.

We merge, sort, print, finish, envelope and dispatch into the Royal Mail network for onward delivery. 2-3 days later, your letters, postcards and other mailings are in the hands of your recipients.

Our platform dashboard and reporting pages provide you with status information about all of your campaigns, allowing you to see where your campaigns are in the process and when they are dispatched.

Frequently asked questions.

What is hybrid mail?

Hybrid mail is a postal service that combines digital document creation with physical delivery. You upload your design and mailing list online, and the provider handles printing, enveloping and posting on your behalf.

How much does hybrid mail cost?

Hybrid mail is typically cheaper than sending mail yourself, as platforms like Stannp.com access discounted postage rates through Royal Mail's Mailmark scheme. Costs vary by format and volume. Visit our pricing page for current rates.

Is hybrid mail the same as direct mail?

They're closely related. Hybrid mail refers to the production method (digital to physical), while direct mail refers to the marketing purpose. At Stannp.com, we use the terms interchangeably.

Is hybrid mail secure?

Yes. Stannp.com is ISO 27001 certified and ICO registered, meaning your data is handled securely throughout the process.

Can small businesses use hybrid mail?

Absolutely. Stannp.com has no minimum order requirement, so you can send as little as one item, making it ideal for businesses of any size.