FAQs

Please find below answers to some of the questions we are most frequently asked by our business customers.

There are also short videos to help illustrate some of the processes - simply click through where video footage is indicated.


1. How does imail work?

Using imail couldn’t be simpler:

Simply create your document (using either the print client on a Windows based program such as Word or our imail web interface – www.imail.com), click on the post button and it’ll send your item(s).

The documents are then electronically encrypted and sent to the imail server. The server routes the individual item based on postcode to one of our nationwide UK Mail print centres where the items are securely printed by our state of the art equipment and machine-enveloped for onward delivery to the specified postal addresses.

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2. How do we produce our mailing?

You have three choices - you can create your mailing on one of the following:

  1. a web interface - www.imail.co.uk
  2. a print client - allowing you to print directly from Windows based programs such as Word
  3. API - integrating with your internal systems automating the mailing process

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3. Is imail not just an email?

No. imail is a state of the art hybrid solution that combines the ease, speed and technology of email, with a physical end product being produced and delivered to the specified doormat.

An intelligent solution, it takes the hassle out of producing a conventional letter but offers much more personalisation than an email.

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4. When would our mail get delivered?

With imail your mail will be delivered the next working day, unless you specify our two day option.

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5. What are the cost savings we could achieve through imail?

imail could save your business up to 60% on the total print, production and postage costs that are currently being incurred, depending on what postal service you use - See calculator

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6. How does imail save time?

We think you will be amazed just how much time it saves you and your business. Not to mention saving you the hassle and expense of physically having to print, envelope and then post the item. From the click of your mouse you can send a letter direct to anywhere in the UK – it takes seconds.

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7. What stationery is used by imail?

For letters, imail uses 90gsm plain white A4, 100% recycled paper and C5 windowed 90gsm envelopes.
For cards, imail uses 250gsm A5 silk card.

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8. Does using imail allow us to include a signature on our letters?

Yes. With imail you can add a scanned version of a given signature which can be automatically applied to each of your documents.

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9. Can we send multiple items through imail?

Yes. Whether you’re sending one or 10,000 letters imail can provide you with a cost effective solution. For multiple items, imail provides a full mail merge facility. Alternatively, you can use a blank letter for one-off ad hoc mailings.

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10. Can imail help me to improve brand management?

Yes. imail allows you to control your brand through a template management system. This allows you to set up and define a series of structured templates with or without variable fields. Being able to control the consistent use of a given logo generates a stronger brand image. The logo can be printed in full colour or black and white depending on your branding requirements

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11. What about the quality of printing?

We have the same specification of high volume printer at each of our print centres (as used within the commercial print environment) to ensure quality and consistency at the print and production process no matter which site it is produced at.

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12. How does imail improve our carbon footprint?

Not only will imail save your business time and money, but it’s a greener option too.

imail reduces your carbon footprint by around 80%. This is because there is no need to physically transport bulky print run’s around the country. In addition, it reduces the need for delivery of consumable stocks to individual users.

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13. Does imail provide double-sided printing?

Yes. Duplex printing is one of the many ways that we ensure imail reduces the impact on the environment.

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14. Is imail secure?

Yes. imail operates to 128bit SSL standard.

That means;

  • Each user is username and password protected
  • All documents are securely encrypted before being sent from your pc to the imail print location where insertion and sortation is effected by state of the art equipment.

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15. How do I know my mail has been sent?

Once you have sent your item you will receive on-screen confirmation. The sent item will also show up in the archive area of your imail user interface so you can print off a hard copy for your files.

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16. What happens if my mail cannot be delivered to the recipient?

All imail envelopes carry a UK Mail central return address. If an item is returned, we scan the barcode that has been printed within the address window and this sends an electronic copy of the letter to the originator.

Returned letters can be viewed in the returned letters area of your imail user interface.

The returned physical items are then securely disposed of by UK Mail.

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17. How do I pay for the items sent via imail?

imail has a range of flexible payment methods to suit your business’s individual requirements. For example, "Pay as you post" enables users to pay by debit or credit card.

Larger mailers may benefit from a credit account.

Please email imailenquiries@ukmail.com for further information.

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18. Can imail be used on a laptop?

Yes. imail can be used on any internet enabled laptop, PC or MAC.

The Print Client for Mac users is coming soon – watch this space!

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19. Can we view our letters before posting?

Yes. imail provides you with an instant PDF proof of your letter, showing the body of the document as well as the positioning of the address block, zonal indicator and return barcode. You can print off the PDF there and then so that you have a physical copy for your records or it can be stored electronically on your computer.

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20. Do I have to send the letters once they are written?

No. imail is very flexible and allows you to draft letters that can be amended before being sent out. Alternatively, your letters can be held as pending and sent at a time convenient to you.

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21. Does imail allow me to keep a contacts database?

imail securely keeps your contacts database within your user space. This allows you to quickly populate the address field with a click of the mouse by selecting the named recipient that you require.

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22. Does imail provide colour printing?

Yes. You can opt for a full colour specification with the state of the art printers that we use in our print centres. These have been calibrated to the same specification to ensure consistency of letter production.

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23. Do you have a service to create stationery for us?

Yes. Just email a pdf copy of your headed paper and we’ll create a template for you and add it to your imail account.

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24. Can we send mail items Internationally via imail?

We are currently developing our International imail service with larger imail mailers - we hope to release the International option for all users in the near future. Watch this space!

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I would like how-to videos utilised within this section which presents the common website/print client operations questions we address regularly.