SPECIAL REPORT VARIABLE DATA PRINTING -- Digital Print Goes Postal

In dollar terms, this amounts to some $70 billion in annual printing shipments passing through the USPS, Davis says.

Unfortunately, automated handling can put added stress on printed matter. John Lind, PIA/GATF senior research scientist, points out that First Class mail typically is subject to automatic sorting by several machines, including the Advanced Facing and Cancellation System (AFCS). This machine employs many wheels and belts to enable processing of up to 39,000 envelopes/ postcards per hour.