In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the letter production timeline through CloudMail.
Table of contents:
Who handles the letters sent through CloudMail?
We’ve partnered with Lob to help with letter processing through CloudMail. Lob handles the printing, folding, and the entire process up to the point of handing your letters to the USPS. Lob leverages 13 printing and distribution centers across the US to ensure that your mail is processed in the closest to the destination center.
If you’d like to learn more about Lob, please visit https://www.lob.com/
Is it safe to send letters through CloudMail?
All letters are sent securely, with the same standards that medical records would be handled with. From startups to Fortune 500s, thousands of modern businesses trust Lob to automate their direct mail workflows and ensure address data integrity. If you’d like to learn more about Lob’s security protocols, click here.
Does CloudMail or Lob affect USPS’ handling times?
Neither CloudMail nor Lob control/affect USPS’ mail handling times. Delivery times are controlled by USPS and depend on the chosen mail class.
What's the cutoff time in a business day to have the letters processed and sent to the Printing Delivery Network (PDN) that same day?
CloudMail’s cut-off times are 10 AM PST each day; anything submitted after that will be processed by the printing service provider in the following day's production run.
How long does a letter remain "In Production"? / Examples
Mail sent via USPS First Class will typically be in production for 2-business days (if requested before 10 AM PST). After the mail is produced, it is handed off to the USPS and delivered according to a timeline that depends on the mail class.
Example #1
[Monday @ 9:59 AM PST]
You send three letters through CloudMail and select the First Class mail option.
The letters will show as In Production from the moment you request CloudMail’s service.
[Monday before EOD]
Our printing partner will process and distribute the letters to the closest (to the destination) Printing Delivery Network.
[Wednesday before EOD]
The Printing Delivery Network (PDN) will print and hand the letters to USPS.
The letters will switch from In Production to Mailed.
The letters will switch to In Transit after receiving their first USPS scan.
Example #2
[Monday @ 10:01 AM PST]
You send three letters through CloudMail and select the First Class mail option.
The letters will show as In Production from the moment you request CloudMail’s service.
[Tuesday before EOD]
Our printing partner will process and distribute the letters to the closest (to the destination) Printing Delivery Network.
[Thursday before EOD]
The Printing Delivery Network (PDN) will print and hand the letters to USPS.
The letters will switch from In Production to Mailed.
The letters will switch to In Transit after receiving their first USPS scan.
Example #3
[Friday @ 10:01 AM PST]
You send three letters through CloudMail and select the First Class mail option.
The letters will show as In Production from the moment you request CloudMail’s service.
[Monday before EOD]
Our printing partner will process and distribute the letters to the closest (to the destination) Printing Delivery Network.
[Wednesday before EOD]
The Printing Delivery Network (PDN) will print and hand the letters to USPS.
The letters will switch from In Production to Mailed.
The letters will switch to In Transit after receiving their first USPS scan.
When will my letters change from In Production to Mailed?
The “Mailed” tracking event appears at the earliest two business days after sending the CloudMail request. In some instances, it can take longer for this “Mailed” event to become visible, but when surfaced, it will accurately reflect the actual date of mail handoff to the USPS.
Please note that tracking events are not guaranteed by USPS, though we typically receive tracking events on over 99% of mailings.
How does Certified Mail work? Are there any additional timeframes when sending through this option, and will users get specific tracking information for those letters?
As soon as our printing partner hands Certified letters to USPS, a tracking number will be provided and returned to our letter tracking section in Credit Repair Cloud. Ironically, the Certified service may experience a larger delivery window since the recipient has to sign a receipt.
Time frames for different mail classes
CloudMail offers two different services or mail classes:
Mail class | Delivery time | Ability to track? | Return service? |
First Class | 4-6 business days | Yes | Yes |
Certified* | 4-6 business days | Yes | Yes |
* The Certified Mail service provides a receipt and electronic verification when the mail is delivered or after a delivery attempt.
The return service will get all undeliverable mailpieces returned to the sender.