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Tips to Save Time + Money on Design Fees



General Tips
TIP:  PROVIDE ALL RELEVANT PROJECT INFORMATION UPFRONT
  • If you have a template, sample or even a photograph of what you are trying to achieve, share it with your designer. 

  • If you have examples of styles, layouts, font, colors or images to guide the overall look and feel of your project, share it with your designer. 

  • If you have any sort of brand identity or guidelines, share it with your designer. 

All of these details help guide the design process, please don't leave your designer in the dark. Guiding your art department from the very start of the project and you'll save both time and design fees.  We can't read minds and we want to make your dreams a reality. 


What is Variable Data Printing?
Variable Data Printing is a form of digital printing that allows for customized elements—like names, addresses, or donation amounts—to change from one printed piece to the next. Instead of printing hundreds or thousands of identical postcards or letters, VDP lets each piece carry unique information, tailored to each recipient.

Common use cases include:

  • First and last names on postcards or mailers

  • Personalized donation amounts for thank-you letters

  • Addresses for direct mail campaigns

  • Custom messages or calls to action based on recipient demographics

How does VDP Work?
VDP pulls unique information from a data source—typically an Excel spreadsheet. Each row represents a different person or household, while each data point (name, address, city, etc.) is stored in its own column.

For example, your Excel sheet might look like this:
FIRST NAME
LAST NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP
Jane
Doe
123 Main Street
Anywhere
NY
12345
John
Smith
456 Elm Street
Townsville
OH
67890

When linked to your print layout, each record fills in the appropriate spot on the printed piece, allowing for accurate and personalized output.

Targeting by Zip Code or Demographic
Looking to reach a specific audience by location or behavior? You can purchase targeted mailing lists that segment by:


    • Zip Code

    • Household Income

    • Median Age

    • Other Demographic Markers

There are two common types of mailing lists:

    • One-Time Use Lists – for single campaigns

    • Multi-Use Lists – reusable lists for multiple mailings throughout the year

These lists can significantly boost campaign effectiveness by delivering your message to the right audience at the right time.
Keep Your Mailing List Up-to-date with NCOA
People move. Addresses change. That’s where the National Change of Address (NCOA) system comes in. It allows mailers to clean and update mailing lists by comparing them against the USPS’s official forwarding address database.


For example:

  • If a donor or customer moves and submits a change of address with USPS, NCOA will flag that change.

  • Your list can then be updated with the new, accurate address—helping you stay connected and reduce wasted mail.

At Curative, part of our mailing process includes NCOA scrubbing to ensure your campaign reaches its audience without delay or return-to-sender issues.
Overall
Whether you're sending thank-you notes to donors, launching a targeted postcard campaign, or mailing event invitations, Variable Data Printing makes your outreach personal, efficient, and more impactful. With clean data, accurate lists, and the right print partner, you can turn a simple piece of mail into a powerful marketing tool.


Need help setting up your VDP project or mailing list?
Curative offers full-service print and mail solutions, including data prep, NCOA updates, and personalized printing. Let us help you make every piece count.