1 STRUCTURAL AND INITIAL 2D BARCODE VERIFICATION BY

These best practices will help ensure our partners execute successful Postal Code Targeting (PCT) campaigns.

1 Structural and initial 2D barcode verification by email . . . 1

1.1 Initial test of quiet zones for smearing. . . 1

1.1.1 Smear test of quiet zone. . . 1

2 2D Barcode . . . 2

2.1 Imaging barcodes . . . 2

2.2 Mail Item formats . . . 2

2.3 Quality assurance . . . 3

3 Card stock that perform well. . . 3

3.1 Common stocks . . . 3

3.2 Uncommon stocks . . . 3

3.3 Other stocks . . . 3

4 Order entry and item preparation. . . 3

4.1 Data file . . . 3

4.2 Order preview and testing . . . 3

4.3 Order entry. . . 4

4.4 Return address . . . 4

4.5 Additional tracking . . . 4

4.6 Standalone templates to verify PCT specifications . . . 4

4.7 Calculating the weight of the item . . . 4

Appendix A: Shapefile . . . 5

1

S

TRUCTURAL

AND

INITIAL

2D

BARCODE

VERIFICATION

BY

EMAIL

Please work with your Canada Post representative to facilitate this process.

Before printing the 200 samples for testing, customers can request a verification via PDF of their 2D barcode to [email protected]. The PDF they supply should show the barcode at a size ratio of 1:1. Canada Post prints the 2D barcode on a Xerox® WorkCenter® 7855 laser printer with white office paper to test it for structure. Test results are sent to customers within 48 hours from the receipt of their request.

1.1

Initial test of quiet zones for smearing

Before printing the 200 samples for testing, customers can quickly test the CPC print quiet zone located on the PCT item to ensure that paper stock will be absorbent enough for the ink used with Canada Post mail processing equipment.

1.1.1

S

The smear test is not scientific, but a guide that mimics conditions and the ink used by Canada Post machines. • Using a white board marker, trace a three-centimetre mark on the front quiet zone.

• Wait three seconds.

• With your thumb, swipe over the three-centimetre mark to see if smearing occurs.

If there is no smearing, proceed with the test of 200 samples. If there is smearing, it is likely that the human readable address and the processing barcode applied by Canada Post on the reverse will smear during the test of the 200 samples.

EXAMPLE OF SMEARING AFTER THREE-SECOND TEST EXAMPLE OF NO SMEARING AFTER THREE-SECOND TEST; PROCEED WITH TESTING OF 200 SAMPLES

P

OSTAL

C

ODE

T

ARGETING

2

2D B

ARCODE

2.1

Imaging barcodes

Use an ink jet, laser or digital printer with various paper stocks, thickness and speeds: • Print on uncoated stocks. Some paper coatings can cause smearing.

• Do not coat quiet zones. Digital printing requires AQ coating (aqueous coating to prevent scuff marks during imaging), which can cause smearing.

• Clean the print head and/or change the cartridge if necessary. • Adjust the contrast.

• Calibrate or re-calibrate the printer.

• Image barcodes before insertion as the thickness of inserted envelopes may vary. • Reduce equipment printing speed, if necessary, to maintain barcode quality.

• If you move from one printer to another, verify the 2D barcode format. It is highly recommended to use the same equipment and process that were used when items passed testing.

2.1.1

2.2

Mail Item formats

• Envelopes. Image barcodes before insertion to produce a uniform flat surface.

A good 2D barcode

2D barcode with poor axial uniformity (x and y size ratio is not 1:1) or poor grid uniformity (slanted)

2D barcode with print growth (printed squares are too big) or print shrinkage (printed squares are too small)

2D barcode with fuzzy definitions

Modulation – Dark elements do not have the same colour or print consistency

Contrast – There’s little difference between light and dark elements of

the barcode

IMPORTANT:

2.3

Quality assurance

Mail service providers should follow standard production processes in addition to the following:

• Test quality at regular intervals. Verify barcode quality by scanning it at a frequency during the production run.

For example, if the normal quality control process is to pull samples every 100, 500 or 1,000 items (depending on the size of the run), then the barcode of those samples should be checked by scanning it for readability against Canada Post requirements. Using equipment that can scan and read barcodes during production is ideal to ensure their full compliance.

• Add a sequence number on each item for internal control. The sequence number must be outside of the

required quiet zones.

• Be vigilant when manipulating the data file. This is important to ensure there is no impact on your barcode.

For example, transferring your data file from iOS to Unix/Windows may add new characters or alter the string’s format.

• Print or generate barcodes in random order. It is recommended to print barcodes in random order to optimize

mail processing.

3

C

ARD

STOCK

THAT

PERFORM

WELL

3.1

Common stocks

• 24lb bond / 60 lb uncoated text White Wove (envelopes) • Lynx Cover 100 lb (275 gsm)

• Creator Silk Cover 100 lb (275 gsm) • Cougar Smooth Cover 80 lb (215 gsm) • Inspire Cover 100 lb (275 gsm)

• Flo matte cover 100lb (270 gsm)

3.2

Uncommon stocks

• Mohawk Options 100 lb (275 gsm) • Sun Paper Dull Cover 80 lb (215 gsm) • Hannoart Cover 100 lb (275 gsm)

3.3

Other stocks

• Lynx Cover 80 lb (216 gsm) • Inspire Cover 80lb (215 gsm)

• Cougar Digital colour copy 80lb (216 gsm) • Cougar Digital colour copy 100lb (270 gsm)

4

O

RDER

ENTRY

AND

ITEM

PREPARATION

4.1

Data file

When requesting geographic targeting, we recommend you submit shapefiles (see Appendix A) or lists of postal codes, forward sortation areas (FSAs) or cities. Appendix “A” highlights the key steps to assist in creating shapefiles.

PDFs and JPGs are considered on a case-by-case basis, as they are time consuming and inaccurate due to assumptions when drawing the boundaries.

Bitmaps are not accepted.

4.2

Order preview and testing

When previewing or testing an order using Electronic Shipping Tools (EST Online or EST Desktop), add an A to your mailing ID to prevent it from being locked in when you are ready to create your live order. You may delete your preview template or correct your temporary mailing ID before you submit your order.

4.3

Order entry

For mailing with partial inductions, upload your files using EST Desktop with the same mailing ID, rather than create separate orders.

4.4

Return address

Do not indicate a return address on the mail item.

4.5

Additional tracking

You can add a sequence number to PCT items for internal tracking. The sequence number may be placed within the postage zone, as long as it is outside the 8 mm quiet zone around the 2D matrix barcode.

4.6

Standalone templates to verify PCT specifications

Templates are available online in the Postal Code Targeting Customer Guide under Quick Links. For quality assurance during production, they can be printed on an acetate to determine compliance of the PCT mail item with barcodes and quiet zone specifications.

4.7

Calculating the weight of the item

To determine that the PCT item meets the minimum requirement in grams per square metre (gsm), use the following formula or contact your paper supplier for gsm weight information:

1406.5 x basic stock weight

_____________________________ = weight in gsm sheet size For example: 1406.5 x 80 (cover) ____________________ = 216 gsm 20 x 26

A

PPENDIX

A: S

HAPEFILE

W

GIS T

?

GIS Tools are used by you to select and target a desired geographic location. In order to provide the addresses, you must submit your selections to us in the form of a shapefile. To assist you in doing so, the following document highlights the key steps required for the following three available applications:

1. In- House GIS Tool 2. ArcGIS Online

3. Google Maps

D

F

We always recommend that you export your data selection as a shapefile. Shapefiles contain the following seven extensions:

GIS T

In-House

Some organizations, such as municipalities, have access to open source data available for shapefiles. If so, it may not be necessary to invest in a GIS tool. The following is a step-by-step example from the City of Vancouver.

1. Select "Data Formats"

A

GIS O

ArcGIS Online is available for a Free 60-day trial, which is followed by an annual subscription fee. With this tool you are able to draw boundaries and lines, place points, and save your data as a shapefile.

1. Navigate to http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/. 2. To create boundaries, zoom to the target area.

3. On the menu bar click "Add" and then "Map Notes"- name your project.

4. Choose whether you'd like to draw a Boundary (area) or a Point (stickpin).

5. Once you have finished drawing your boundaries, choose "Analysis" on the menu bar. 6. Go to "Manage Data", and then choose "Extract Data".

7. Check off your projects at the top, and choose to save your data as a shapefile.

8. Click the home button at the top of the page and choose "My Content".

9. Download your shapefile by clicking the arrow beside the file.

G

M

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS APPLICATION SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT*

Although Google Maps allows you to use create a map, the application only allows for the data to be exported as a .kml file. Please note that .kml files are NOT recommended due to technical issues, but can be tested prior to the submission of request.

1. Navigate and sign-in to https://www.google.ca/maps/. 2. In the search bar, click the "Menu" button.

3. In the menu, choose "Your places".

4. Choose "Maps", and at the very bottom click "Create Map". 5. Zoom into your desired target area.

6. Using the tools under the search bar, draw boundaries and add points.

8. You can also send someone the link to what you created by choosing the "Share" option. The recipient will also be able to save the information as a .kml.

For Example: