Be the expert for your direct mail clients by helping them expedite mailing, reduce costs, and provide them with files designed with USPS automation in mind.

The Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC) Certification is an essential online training course for understanding and designing mail for automation. Join us for this four-day virtual workshop that will teach you how to increase the speed of your deliveries and avoid USPS penalties when you design with mailpiece in mind. The cost for this four-day program is $250 for members and $395 for not yet members. This includes the Mail Systems Management Association (MSMA) MDC online exam fee, study guide/review questions, and online instructions.

REGISTER BELOW

Benefits of Mailpiece Design Certification

Obtaining Mailpiece Design Certification is essential for mailers to understand mail automation, have their mail accepted, receive postal discounts, and hasten mail deliveries for themselves and their customers. THERE WILL BE an open book exam for certification as a Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC).

Who should attend?

  • Those who need recertification (The MDC certification is good for two years)
  • Those responsible for mail processing
  • CSRs who interface with client’s mail
  • Graphic Designers
  • Salespeople (to provide customers with mailing advice)

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the basics of mailpiece design and what is required for automated postage discounts and faster processing through USPS.
  • Find out “WHAT NOT TO DO” to prevent your mail from being rejected, returned, or damaged.
  • Discover where to go for help with questions, design support, and selecting the correct postage.
  • Gain insight into how your company can reap the benefits of Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) with Informed Delivery and Informed Visibility.
  • Learn out about the latest changes to the USPS rates and regulations and how to keep up to date.

Details

The MDC is a written, open book exam that will be given online during the last day of training. THERE IS HOMEWORK. To help you prepare a PDF study guide and sample test questions will be sent to you within a week after your registration. Register early to ensure you have your materials in a timely manner.

Registering for this course will register you for the MDC exam. The results of the online exam will be given via email alongside a MDC certificate. The exam is open book, so the passing grade is 90%. The MDC exam can be taken online one additional time at no additional cost.

Monday, October 21 – Online Session 12:00 – 1:30 pm CT
Tuesday, October 22 – Online Session 12:00 – 1:30 pm CT
Wednesday, October 23 – Online Session 12:00 – 1:30 pm CT
Thursday, October 24 – Online Session + Exam 12:00 – 2:00 pm CT
This is a virtual course.

Special Guest

Leo Raymond, Managing Director of Mailers Hub will be on board to present, “What’s Happening Now and What’s Coming Up Within USPS”.

Instructor

James (Jim) C. Barlow, Jr., CMDSM, EMCM, MDP, MDC, President/Principal Consultant for Mail Systems Management, LLC.

Jim has a diverse business background with over 25 years in the mailing and printing industries. He is an experienced leader with accomplishments in executive management, marketing, sales, finance, and production solving business problems to promote growth, reduce costs, and increase profits. His mail services engagements span a diverse group of business sectors including 13 years supporting outsourced management offerings for Xerox Global Services. Jim is a MSMA Certified Mail and Distribution Systems Manager (CMDSM), a USPS Executive Mail Center Manager (EMCM), a USPS Mail Design Professional (MDP) and a MSMA Mailpiece Design Consultant (MDC).

He is a highly rated speaker and frequently presents at the National Postal Forum, MailCom, and Postal Customer Council Education Seminars. In addition, Jim is Past-President of the Washington Metro Chapter of the MSMA, Past Industry Chairman and Past Industry Chairman for the Greater Baltimore Postal Customer Council, a member of Printing and Graphics Association Mid-Atlantic (PGAMA) and approved consultant for Mailers Hub.

This MDC certification is offered in partnership with the Mail Systems Management Association (MSMA), a national organization contributing to the advancement of the mailing industry through education. The coveted MDC certification provides recognition that the individual has achieved the highest level of education and understanding in mailpiece design. Upon a successful passing grade, they receive a certificate of achievement, and their name appears in the MAMA National Directory of MDCs. The MDC designation will tell your colleagues and customers of your proven education and achievement as a Mailpiece Design Consultant.

Funding may be available to support industry- related continuing education in the our region. If interested, please apply and then email Janie Morris at info@piamidam.org.