Client: Spartina
Industry: Fashion and Apparel
Services Provided: Print Production and Mailing Optimization
Client Profile:
Spartina is a women’s fashion and apparel brand based in South Carolina. Known for their coastal-inspired designs and high-quality products, Spartina is a growing brand looking to expand its market reach through targeted direct mail campaigns.
Challenge:
Spartina, in collaboration with their agency in Manhattan, needed to produce a 150,000-copy mailing of a 6×9 digest catalog for their October campaign. However, after the paper had been ordered and the production schedule set, the client decided to upgrade the size of the catalog to a 9×12 piece. This change had major implications not only for the printing process but also for the mailing, as the larger size shifted the project from a letter classification to a flat classification, significantly increasing postage costs.
Solution:
Signature Printing, led by Vice President of Business Development Ken Menna, stepped in to find a solution that would keep the project on track while minimizing the added postage costs. Rather than proceeding with the initial mailing strategy, Signature Printing researched and developed an alternative mailing plan. By re-sorting Spartina’s mailing list and using an entry point strategy to ship the catalogs directly to various postal distribution centers, they were able to dramatically reduce postage costs.
Key Results:
- Postage Savings: Signature Printing’s new strategy saved Spartina $36,000 in postage costs, even with the change in catalog size. This allowed the client to maintain their budget and avoid the significant cost increase that would have come with the larger format.
- Production Flexibility: Despite the size change after the production plan had been finalized, Signature Printing was able to adjust the design and logistics on the fly without delaying the project timeline.
- Client Satisfaction: By finding an innovative solution to the increased mailing costs and delivering a high-quality product, Signature Printing strengthened their partnership with Spartina, positioning themselves as a trusted, long-term partner.
Conclusion:
Signature Printing’s ability to adapt to changes and optimize costs for their clients is exemplified in their work with Spartina. By leveraging their expertise in both print production and mailing logistics, they not only delivered a beautiful catalog but also saved the client significant postage costs. This case underscores the value of collaboration and strategic thinking in meeting client needs while enhancing their return on investment.