For a one off project you would click to create a one-off project, then select the timing, create your design, and add recipients in the editor.
For a recurring campaign it is essentially the same process, but the timing options are different and you would create a list under in Contacts section which the campaign will send to.
Drip campaigns are like multiple one off-projects strung together that you send to a dynamic list.
Advanced orders can be either integration orders or API orders. Both of those require a template.
order-types
What are One-Off Projects?
These are projects that are sent one time, either immediately (after completion), or scheduled for a later date. They consist of a design (which can be saved as a template), and recipients which you can import or add one at a time. You can copy them for later use, but they are not automatically recurring, like campaign orders or API orders. See pricing for one-off projects.
What are Campaigns?
Campaigns are ordrs that repeat automatically. They can repeat on the same day every year (like birthdays or anniveraries), month , day, etc. This is selected in the timing step. To add recipient to your capaign you select a list. See pricing for recurring order plans.
What is a Drip Campaign?
A Thankster drip campaign it's a series of mailings that you set up beforehand by creating the series of templates and specifying when they go out. It will be mailed to the recipients on thanks to list that you select.
What are Integration orders?
Thankster can integrate with (connect to) various applications so that you can automate sending via that application and the recipient information you have stored there. Some current integrations are Shopify, Infusionsoft, Nationnuilder, and Zapier. Contact us to get more information.
Tell me about Thankster and Zapier.
Using a zapier integration you can connect Thankster thousands of applications without writing any computer code. An example would be to send cards whenever you add a new lead in Salesforce. Another would be to trigger sending via a Google sheet. Contact us for more information.
Can I order using Google Sheets?
Yes, using Google Sheets as a trigger with our zapier integration. To contribute trigger orders manually by adding a row to a sheet or use a special sheet to automate sending (for example for birthdays and anniversaries). Contact us for more information.
What are API orders?
Thankster's API allows you to offer our functionality within your own application or website. Using the API lets you customize this access in any way you would like.
An API order uses a Thankster API template project that you create the same way you would create a one-of project or campaign, except it does not have recipients attached to it.
The API requires custom coding by a developer. Contact us to get the API doc. You can get no code access via one of our integrations.
other-order-related
What are templates?
There are two types of Thakster template projects. The first is a "One-off project template", which is simply a design template that you can use as the basis for any future one-off projects you create. It allows you to avoid building from scratch a design that you may use over and over. Another approach could be to duplicate an existing one-off project and delete any recipients not being mailed to.
The other is a "Thankster API template project", which serves as the basis for API orders. It does not have any recipients attached. Also, it has additional tools in the design editor to add "API text" or "API images" which your API can dynamically pass content into when your API application triggers that template.
What are public folder templates?
These are templates that are available to use as the basis for your folder card mailers. They are available in the "Templates" > "Public Folder". You can have your own private templates as well.
How do I cancel an order?
You can cancel a project by finding it in the one off projects list or the campaigns list and clicking the trash can in the Actions column. You can cancel immediate one off projects by midnight on the day it was placed. For scheduled orders and campaigns you should cancel by midnight prior to the day it an order scheduled to go out. If it's after midnight, you can try to contact us to cancel it.
If I have an integrations plan, how do I update my credit card?
Go to Account > My Subscription and click on the "Change payment method" button.
card-design
Can I add an image or signature to my mail piece?
Yes, you can add any image you like in the design editor by using the image tool in the left hand side toolbar. It is a good idea to add images that have high resolution (at least 300 DPI).
You can add a signature by adding an image but your signature, as well as by drawing one using the signature tool and your mouse or touch screen.
What are public images?
These are images available to anyone to add to their mailers. They are available in the "Image Library" > "Public Image Library". You can have your own images in "My Image Library".
Can I add a QR code to my mailer?
Yes, you would do this by clicking on a page of your Mailer and then clicking on the QR code tool in the left hand side toolbar. Then you can add the URL associated with that QR code, and you can move and size it as desired. If you have a pre-existing QR code, you can add it like any other image.
What is meant by grouping text or image boxes in the editor?
Grouping items is useful if you have two or more content boxes and one might grow as a result of merge data or API data of different lengths. For example, you may have an API text box or a text box with merge data (perhaps with your message text), followed by a signature box. If the message is very long, it might otherwise overlap signature box. When you group the two boxes, it will keep them together but they will not overlap.
You would create the grouping by clicking the first box, then shift+left click on the second box, and then click the Group icon in the upper left. You can ungroup them by clicking to Ungroup. When two boxes are grouped their content cannot be edited until they are ungrouped.
contacts
How do I import contacts?
You can add one at time, import a spreadsheet, or submit a grid of recipients
How do I import a spreadsheet?
You would save a .csv file using the format of this file. All headers must be present as exactly as they are in the file.
How do I enter recipients using the grid?
The grid functions largely like an Excel spreadsheet. You can type directly into the grid or paste into it.
The grid is recommended for use for only 100 or fewer recipients. For larger lists it is best to import a spreadsheet.
What is a list?
A list is a saved list of contacts that you give a name to. It helps for keeping things organized. It is required for automated campaigns.'
Also, lists are used as the basis for recurring campaings
What is the difference between the Address Book and Lists?
Your address book is all of the contacts you add, wheter importing or adding indiviudally, whereas lists are individual groupings of contacts that you name and create. Lists are used for campaigns.
pricing-for-automation-plans
Explain pricing for recurring order plans.
This is the type of plan you need for integration orders, Thankster automations, and API orders. It also has the benefit of low per card prices and API orders.
With these plans, you pay a small amount at the beginning of the month (the prepay amount) which is credited back at the end of the month.
For example, if your prepay amount is $5 and you send $20 worth of orders in a month, then at the beginning of the month you pay $5 and at the end of the month you are billed for $15.
What is this pricing for?
This is pricing for ourser sent via a Thankster campaign, one of our integrations, or an API application. It has lower per card pricing than one-off projects. Because it is unknown how many orders will be triggered beforehand, you are billed after they sent, generally monthly. If you have a high number of orders you may get partial, mid-month charges. Prices include first class postage.
How am I billed? Is there a large monthly commitment?
There is no commitment. You pay at the end of the month for the number of cards you send, less the pre-pay amount. The pre-pay amount is billed at the beginning of the month and is credited back at the end of the month against orders sent.
When am I billed?
In most cases bills are rendered monthly, for orders placed during the prior month. During the first few months, or if your amount owed is over $50, we may do an interim billing or billings, which will be credited against the normal monthly bill.
Do I get a monthly invoice or statement?
Yes, each month you will get a statement summarizing the orders and charges. You can also access these in the Account section.
pricing-other
Explain pricing for One-off Projects, and credit packs.
See this page for pricing for one-off projects. The top row is the pricing if you pay for each order at order time. You can cat volume discounts by buying credit packs, which are shown in the rest of the table.
Can I mail to non-U.S. locations, and how are these billed for?
Yes. For these we use an international first class stamp.
create-handwriting-font
How do I create my own handwriting font?
You would fill out the attached form, scan it, and submit it to us using this form.
To have a good result it is important that you fill in the form(s) carefully, trying to follow the tips below. To get variation in the characters it's best to fill out multiple forms (up to five). The first two are free. It makes sense to start with one and see how you like the result.
Alternatively, we can help you choose one of our existing fonts which approximates your look. That is the easiest and often best route since our fonts are generally well-tested.
What are some handwriting creation tips?
To have a good result when creating your own font, it is important that you fill in the form(s) carefully, trying to follow these tips:
A thin felt tip or ball point pen is recommended.
Leave a margin around each character (go up to the hash marks) - don't draw up to the edge of each cell.
Try to be consistent with character placement in the boxes
Scan in color mode at 300 dpi for best results
Please save as a JPG.
general
Can you do inserts, like gift cards or business cards?
Yes, though we don't source them. But if you send them to us we will insert them for you. In most cases we charge 10 cents for each insertion.
How long does it take my cards to arrive?
We usually mail with 1 or 2 business days, and delivery in the continental U.S. generally takes 2-4 days after that. For non-U.S. it would vary by location.
What types of mail pieces can I send?
You can send folder cards, flat cards, postacards, or regular letters.
Are there any volume minimums?
Not for folder cards, but for other types there are typically minimums of 100 per month (for plan users) or 100 per project (for one-off orders). Contact Us for more information.
Is there order tracking?
We send orders via first class mail. While this does not have tracking, orders are generally delivered within two to four days of going in the mail.
Can I request a sample?
Yes - just fill out this from and we'll get one out to you in a day or two. It will give you an idea of what the paper looks and feels like, but bear in mind you'll be able to change the style and handwriting in many way.
Where can I see billing and related information?
In the Accounts section in the left side navigation pain you can see your transatcions, statements (for plan users), and any one-time charges.