Direct mailing is a very effecting marketing tool and finding the right direct mail equipment will make the job much easier. It is a great way to reach a target market quickly and for a cheap price.

Once direct mailing has been established as an effective way for you to get more business and you see direct mailing as a long-term solution, it may be in your best interest to invest in your own direct mailing equipment. Consider the following when buying direct mail equipment:

1. Honestly assess your needs to avoid overspending on direct mail equipment.

2. Consider other factors besides cost, such as replacement parts and ease of repair.

3. Invest in quality products instead of buying the cheapest direct mailing equipment available.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop around for prepress direct mail marketing equipment

Prepress equipment includes plate processors, litho-cameras, film processors, graphic exposure frames, scanners and workstations. Prepress is what turns the actual images and words into a usable format.

I recommend: Genesis Equipment offers a wide range of prepress products, including used processors. Prepress.com is an online source for listing new and used equipment for sale, and all of the listed prices are negotiable.

Get the perfect offset printing direct mail equipment to fit your business

There is a wide range of offset printing equipment available from very small offset presses to huge industrial offset presses. There are presses that are envelope-sized, flier-sized or full sheet (8.5 by 11) sized.

I recommend: Search the online nationwide selection of new and used offset printing presses at PrintCities.com. Find a wide variety of offset printing presses at Premier Press as well.

Buy the right digital imaging and laser printing direct mail equipment

High-quality digital and laser printers are available from many stores. The best places to find affordable options are office supplies stores.

I recommend: See what Staples and Best Buy have to offer. Each store offers financing on available equipment and allows you to compare different brands' feature options and prices.

Find finishing direct mailing equipment

Finishing equipment may not seem essential, but will make direct mail marketing much more time effective and efficient. Finishing equipment includes cutters, folders, inserters, tabbers and pallet lifts. This equipment can wait if finances are limited, but are worth the investment if you have the funds.

I recommend: Choose from manual folders, automatic folders, or combination folders/ inserters from iShopPaperCutters or ABC Office.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying used direct mail equipment, which may still be in perfect condition but can save you a lot of money.
• •  Invest in only one piece of direct mail equipment at a time if a large one-time investment is not possible.