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Overview

Barcoding is a new addition to the mailing process for many organisations. Here’s how you can introduce barcoding to your business in just four steps, and access PreSort Letters Service prices:

• Step 1 - Choose an internal or external barcode solution
• Step 2 - Validate Addresses and Append Delivery Point Identifiers (DPIDs)®
• Step 3 - Create and Print the Barcode
• Step 4 - Prepare Mail for Lodgement

Step 1 - Choose an internal or external barcode solution

A simple cost benefit analysis will help you decide on a barcode solution that will be of greatest benefit to your business.

Current and future cost analysis considerations might include:

• Present and future typical mail dispersion
• Lodgment frequency and sizes
• Postal costs
• IT requirements (hardware and software)
• Quality database management time and resources
• Time and resources spent on postal tasks

The decision to implement an internal solution requires the purchase of an Address Matching Approval System (AMAS) software product.

Alternatively, the external option of using a mailhouse or service bureau may be more suitable for your business.

Either way, savings will vary depending on quantity, weight, size and destination of letters.

Step 2 - Validate Addresses and Append Delivery Point Identifiers (DPIDs)®

The Postal Address File (PAF)® is a database which contains a unique 8-digit number (Delivery Point IDentifier, or DPID) for each address maintained within the file.  The DPID is essential in creating the unique barcode for your finished mailpiece. 

The PAF is maintained and updated every quarter by Australia Post, and is only available through AMAS-approved software.  Your AMAS provider will supply you with the latest version of PAF each quarter. 

How to validate addresses and apply DPIDs.

AMAS-approved software matches your address database against the addresses contained in the PAF, and every matched address in your database is assigned a DPID.

It will also amend address records to obtain a match with the addresses contained in the PAF and assign the associated DPID, which maximises your barcoded lodgement volumes and reduces postage costs.

Each PreSort lodgement must be supported by a declaration that the barcoded addresses have been validated against the latest version of the PAF.  For more information, please visit the PreSort Letters Service area of the site.

Step 3 - Create and Print the Barcode

The next step in the process is converting each DPID into a barcode using standard barcode generation software. Many AMAS software solutions comes with a barcode font to print barcodes in-house. 

Barcodes can be printed using many printer types. Some printers that have already been tested for their ability to print barcodes within specification are listed in the Barcode Quality Program area of the Australia Post website. 

The Australia Post Barcode Quality Program (BQP) can also check a sample of your printed barcodes to ensure they meet Australia Post specifications. 

At this stage you can also consider adding your own information into the barcode using a 52 bar or 67 bar customer barcode (e.g. customer reference and membership numbers, customer segment or type, mail piece reference numbers etc).

There are three types of customer barcode structures:

1. Standard Customer Barcode - 37 bars - (no additional information)
2. Customer Barcode 2 - 52 bars - (include 8 digits or 5 characters)
3. Customer Barcode 3 - 67 bars (include 15 digits or 10 characters)

If you include your own information in the barcode, allow for additional space in your form design and window panel. The general guidelines are :

• Standard Barcode (37 bars) - 10mm x 43mm
• Customer Barcode 2 (52 bars) - 10mm x 60mm
• Customer Barcode 3 (67 bars) - 10mm x 77mm

To receive discounts, barcodes must be printed in the correct area. The preferred position for the barcode is above the name and address, however some flexibility is provided in the address design and layout. Prior to printing, you should also consider:

• Print production process you are using
• Forms design
• Envelope creative
• Envelope window face size

For additional barcode specifications refer to the PreSort Letters Service page or the PreSort Letters Service Guide (available from your local Post Office or by calling 13 13 18).

Step 4 - Preparing Mail for Lodgement

To be eligible for PreSort Letters Service prices, your letters must be sorted and lodged in correctly labelled trays.  Visit the Tray Labelling area of the site for more information.

Please refer to the PreSort Letters Service page for the full details of lodgement, presentation, and documentation requirements.

® PAF and DPID are registered trademarks of the Australian Postal Corporation