Why Presort Mailers Still Drop-Ship Direct Mail Nationwide

NDCs are Gone and Smart Mailers Are Rebuilding Entry Strategies

In direct mail, timing isn’t just important—it’s the campaign.

For presort mailers and printer-mailers, hitting in-home windows is often the difference between a successful promotion and a missed opportunity. And in today’s USPS landscape—especially after the July 2025 closure of Network Distribution Center (NDC) destination-entry facilities—mail logistics has become a bigger part of campaign strategy than ever before.

At this year’s National Association of Presort Mailers (NAPM) Conference in Orlando, one topic keeps coming up: What’s the best way to move mail now that the network has changed?

Some mailers believe that mail consolidation (commingled mail, co-palletized mail, or shared truckloads) is the only realistic option. But the most successful mailers are learning that SCF and DDU entry are still powerful tools, especially for flats-heavy programs and campaigns that require control and consistency.

That’s where LTL shipping continues to deliver real value.

SCF and DDU Drop-Shipping Provides Tactical Advantages

The NDC closures forced many mailers to rethink their logistics models. Without those facilities available for destination entry, some assumed the only remaining path was to consolidate freight into shared truckloads and hope for the best.

But LTL shipping remains a highly effective solution because it allows mailers to enter mail closer to the final delivery point, often through SCF and DDU facilities, without requiring full truckload volume.

Instead of waiting until a campaign can be combined with other freight—or forced into rigid consolidation schedules—LTL gives mailers a more flexible way to move mail quickly and reliably.

Cost-Effective Destination Entry Without Waiting for Full Truckloads

Many printer-mailers operate on tight schedules and even tighter margins. With postage costs and production costs already high, freight becomes an easy place for campaigns to lose profitability.

Full truckload shipping can be efficient when volume is massive and destinations are concentrated. But when freight doesn’t fill a trailer, the economics don’t make sense.

LTL shipping solves that issue by allowing mailers to pay only for the space they use—without giving up access to destination entry.

For campaigns that ship to multiple regions, have variable volume, or need to reach SCFs and DDUs on specific timelines, LTL remains one of the most cost-effective ways to move direct mail.

The Secret Weapon for FLATS Mail ?

For many presort mailers, the conversation has shifted heavily toward commingling. But the reality is that DDU entry remains one of the most strategic tools available, especially for flats.

In fact, DDU entry can help mailers:

• Reduce variability in delivery timing

• Improve in-home consistency

• Avoid unnecessary USPS network travel

• Increase predictability for time-sensitive promotions

It’s also a powerful solution for printer-mailers running geographically targeted programs where speed and control matter more than maximizing consolidation density.

“We’ve moved more DDU mail since the NDC closures than ever before. Clearly, our clients know something that many mailers do not: DDU entry works for flats!”
— Dustin Symes, President, Direct Logistics

That trend isn’t theoretical—it’s already happening across the industry.

Faster, More Predictable Delivery with Destination Entry

Direct mail doesn’t just need to arrive—it needs to arrive on schedule.

Campaigns that land too early can lose relevance. Campaigns that land late can miss the entire sales window. And in today’s environment, mailers are looking for ways to reduce uncertainty and gain control.

LTL shipping supports that goal by enabling entry closer to the point of delivery. Instead of pushing mail through longer USPS transportation paths, LTL helps shorten the distance between production and delivery.

The result is improved predictability, tighter delivery windows, and more confidence in campaign timing.

Real-Time Tracking and Visibility for Printer-Mailers

Visibility is no longer optional. Mail owners and marketers want to know where freight is, when it will arrive, and whether entry appointments are on track.

Modern LTL logistics provides the ability to monitor shipments from pickup through USPS drop—helping mailers reduce risk and stay ahead of disruptions.

With better tracking, printer-mailers can:

• Coordinate campaign timelines more accurately

• Communicate confidently with clients

• Resolve issues before they become missed in-home dates

• Reduce uncertainty around USPS entry scheduling

For presort professionals, that visibility is often the difference between reactive problem-solving and proactive campaign management.

Flexibility That Consolidation Can’t Always Provide

Consolidation can work well in the right situations. But it’s not always flexible enough for the real-world demands of printer-mailers.

When campaigns are time-sensitive, segmented, or produced in waves, waiting for a shared truckload opportunity can introduce unnecessary delays. LTL shipping provides an alternative: a scalable model that works whether you’re shipping a few pallets or coordinating nationwide drops.

LTL also supports:

• Multi-destination distribution

• Regional SCF strategies

• DDU-focused drop plans

• Specialized handling for mail pallets and bundles

For printer-mailers who need options—not bottlenecks—LTL remains a reliable solution.

Simplified Logistics for Nationwide Direct Mail Distribution

Shipping direct mail across the country is complex. Managing pickups, appointments, carriers, tracking, and billing can create administrative overhead that distracts from production and client service.

LTL shipping helps streamline the process by providing a consistent framework that works across many facilities and regions.

Instead of juggling multiple freight solutions, mailers can build a repeatable strategy that scales with volume and campaign frequency.

That operational simplicity is one of the reasons LTL continues to be a preferred shipping model even in a post-NDC environment.

Why Direct Logistics Is the Right Partner for LTL Shipping

LTL shipping only delivers value when it’s managed by a team that understands the unique demands of presort mail, USPS entry requirements, and campaign-critical timelines.

At Direct Logistics, we specialize in direct mail transportation strategies that help mailers stay competitive—even as USPS network changes continue to reshape the industry.

Our Direct Logistics Platform (DLP) helps mailers:

• Compare carrier options

• Schedule pickups efficiently

• Track shipments in real time

• Improve delivery predictability

• Support SCF and DDU entry strategies

• Reduce freight costs without sacrificing control

If you’re attending NAPM Orlando and want to explore how LTL can support SCF and DDU entry—especially for flats—we’d welcome the conversation.

Because even after the NDC closures, one thing remains true: mailers who control their logistics control their results.