Durham, N.C. – First-Class and Standard mailers who seek to improve the effectiveness of their mailpieces and optimize their operations are showing great interest in BÖWE BELL + HOWELL's (BBH) recently introduced BBH MAILStream Inveloper – an innovative system that provides nearly unlimited potential for mailpiece customization. The process behind the MAILStream Inveloper utilizes blank white roll material to create either closed-faced or windowed envelopes for the new patent-pending "Invelope" format, eliminating the need for traditional envelopes.

"This technology offers mailers one of the best options today to reduce costs and improve overall profitability," said Mark Van Gorp, BBH vice president of business development and marketing. "We've already seen exceptional results at customer sites – they are thrilled with the performance of these systems." BBH recently installed a seventh BBH MAILStream Inveloper at a major production mailer. The customer, who processes nearly 1 billion statements annually, notes the radical increases in throughput, cost reductions and reliability as the major benefits of the process behind the MAILStream Inveloper."

One of the largest First-Class mailers in the United States also announced that they have implemented the technology, noting it represents "true innovation." The company also stated that one of the key benefits is the ability to extend marketing messages through dynamic messaging that can be applied to all surfaces of the envelope: back, front and interior.

The roll material is used to form the individual mailpieces in a highly efficient, automated process. Images and messaging can be dynamically printed in-line, using both the interior and exterior of the "Invelope" material. "Inveloping is the perfect finishing companion to the latest digital ink-jet web presses," said Van Gorp.

Because the process behind the MAILStream Inveloper eliminates the need for traditional envelopes, it also eliminates the costs associated with producing, storing and handling envelopes – in addition to the cost and effort of recycling storage cartons and outdated materials. No custom inventory is required since each job starts with a blank white roll.

Removing envelopes from the finishing process also offers environmental benefits by eliminating the waste incurred throughout the paper production lifecycle: greenhouse gases, waste water, production waste, as well as the negative impacts that occur even with recycling.

The environmental savings can add up rapidly. BBH estimates that the production of 50 million Invelopes mailpieces would have the following environmental benefits:

Estimated Environmental Savings*
Resources
Total savings
Wood saved (lbs.) / Trees saved
1,507,215 lbs. / 5,275 trees
Net energy saved (millions BTUs) / Homes heated for one year
7,111 (Millions BTUs) / 78 homes
Greenhouse gases eliminated (lbs. CO2 equiv.) / Cars taken off road for one year
1,366,795 lbs. / 124 cars
Waste water avoided (gal.) / Swimming pools filled
4,900,453 gallons / 258 pools
Solid waste avoided (lbs.) / Garbage trucks filled
440,089 lbs. / 16 trucks

* Environmental impact calculations based in part on the Environmental Defense Fund Paper Calculator.