PDF Preflight Tool

Getting Started

The PDF PreFlight tool overlays key information onto the first page of your PDF document. This helps ensure proper address placement, eliminates the need for system-generated coversheets, improves statement formatting, and can help reduce mailing costs.

This tool is especially useful if your documents already contain recipient and return address details.

Overview of PDF PreFlight

Access the PreFlight tool from:

My Account > PDF Tools

When you submit a PDF to this tool, it returns a new version of the document with system information overlayed. This overlay includes address boxes, margin markers, and other layout cues.

Minimum Margin Guidelines

A light gray dashed line around your document shows the required minimum margins:

Top/Bottom: 0.20"
Left/Right: 0.25"

Ensure your content does not extend beyond these lines.

Return Address (FROM) Specifications

This green box shows where to place your return address:

Only return address details should appear here.
Avoid adding lines, special characters, or other elements.

Box Placement:

0.20" from the top of the page to the top of the box
1.04" from the top to the bottom of the box
0.875" from the left edge to the left of the box
3.625" from the left edge to the right of the box

Ensure your address starts in the top-left corner of this box and leaves space below the last line.

Recipient Address (TO) Specifications

This green box is located below the FROM address area and is for recipient addresses only:

Do not include lines, special characters, or other components.

Box Placement:

2.035" from the top of the page to the top of the box
2.91" from the top to the bottom of the box
0.875" from the left edge to the left of the box
4.00" from the left edge to the right of the box

Review your address placement in the PreFlight tool to ensure it fits within this space.

Certified Mail (CERT) Box

A green box to the right of the address areas is reserved for certified mail:

Leave this area blank if you are sending certified mail.
Our system will place the barcode and tracking number here.
If not sending certified mail, you may use this space for other document content.

Perforation Guidelines

At the bottom of the document, two dashed lines represent perforation placements:

Orange Line: For 2/3 perforated paper stock
Blue Line: For 6 3/4 perforated paper stock

Each type corresponds to a compatible windowed return envelope and is commonly used for statements and invoices.

Video Walkthrough

A helpful video is available to guide you through using the PreFlight tool and optimizing your document layout. This can help you reduce or eliminate the need for coversheets.

Display Dimensions Option

Before running the PreFlight tool, you can check the "Display Dimensions" box to add measurement labels to your overlay:

Shows all default overlay data
Includes precise window placement measurements

This option provides a more detailed view of spacing and layout for fine-tuning your document.