OCR or Optical Character Recognition refers to the ability of machines to identify and read printed text. By making the addresses on your direct mail pieces OCR compliant it removes the need for them to be sorted by hand, making postage costs cheaper for you.

To prepare your direct mail pieces so they are OCR compliant we’ve put together this little guide for you.

Font

While you can use any font you like for the body copy of your mailing pieces, the mailing and return addresses need to be one of the following OCR fonts:

• Arial 10-12pt
• Century School Book 10-11pt
• Courier 10-15pt
• Courier New 10-15pt
• Verdana 10-12pt
• Avant Garde 11-15pt
• Geneva 10-12pt
• Franklin Gothic 10-12pt
• Helvetica 10-14pt
• News Gothic MT 10-12pt
• Franklin Gothic 10-12pt

The OCR fonts need to be printed in a dark coloured font to ensure it is easily machine read.

Positioning for letters

For letters, you need to make sure the following sit within a window envelope correctly

• The recipient’s address
• The returns management code

Positioning for postcards

For postcards, you need to make sure the following are all positioned correctly

• The recipient’s address
• The return address
• Postage stamps
• RM4SCC codes

Supplying us your artwork

It is a complicated procedure so leave it to us! We will set up all the OCR positioning all you need to do is supply us your OCR compliant artwork.

We will send you a guide with all the clear zones measurements and then you can download one of our templates to see if your positioning is correct. Overlay your artwork on top and if it does not run over the boxes then you're OCR compliant and meet the requirements.

The clear zones will need to be kept free of all artwork, text and colour - must be a white background.

You’re now eligible to benefit from reduced postage costs. Send 4,000 or more items and you’ll qualify for OCR mail sort which is even cheaper per record.

To speak to us about how we can help you with your design work or the delivery of your items, call 0845 345 7755