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Statement Production FAQs

There are three standard billing statement formats: One-Panel, Two-Panel and Three-Panel.
For a single-panel insert, the standard size is 3.5" X 6" and is printed on 60# paper. Lighter paper weight can not be used for statements due to the sensitivity of inserting equipment.
For full-bleed, single-panel pieces, artwork should bleed over each edge by 1/8-inch for trimming (3.75" X 6.25"). Live image area is 3.25" X 5.75".
For non-bleed, single-panel pieces, artwork image area should be 3" X 5.5". We require a 1/4-inch trim allowance on all non-bleed artwork.
All artwork and print quotes, unless otherwise indicated, are 4 over 4 process color (CMYK). This means that two-sided artwork should be submitted.
The average 3.5" X 6" single-panel insert on 60# coated stock weighs .05 oz.
A two-panel insert can be either of two paper stocks. For gloss paper, two-panel inserts should be 7" X 6" flat, folded down to a 3.5" X 6" finished size. Gloss stock for two-panel inserts is generally 50#. For two-panel inserts on high-bulk stock, where a detachable BRC card is used, paper weight should be 70#.
For full-bleed pieces, artwork should bleed over each edge by 1/8-inch for trimming (7.25" X 6.25"). Live image area is 6.75" X 5.75". There is one fold in the two-panel piece. Client-provided artwork should come accompanied by proofs and instructions for the printer indicating inside versus outside the fold.
For a non-bleed ad, artwork image area should be 6.5" X 5.5". We require a 1/4-inch trim allowance on all non-bleed artwork. There is one fold in the two-panel piece. Client-provided artwork should come accompanied by proofs and instructions for the printer indicating inside versus outside the fold.
The average 3.5" X 6" (finished size) two-panel insert on 50# coated stock weighs .08 oz.
Three-panel inserts are generally printed on 45# gloss stock. Flat size is 10.5" X 6" folded to a finished size of 3.5" X 6" in a "C" fold. "Z" folds are not allowed in billing statements.
For full-bleed, three-panel pieces, artwork should bleed over each edge by 1/8-inch for trimming (10.75" X 6.25"). Live image area is 10.25" X 5.75". There are two folds in the three-panel piece. Client-provided artwork should come accompanied by proofs and instructions for the printer indicating inside versus outside the fold.
For non-bleed, three-panel pieces, artwork image area should be 10" X 5.5". We require a 1/4-inch trim allowance on all non-bleed artwork. There are two folds in the three-panel piece. Client-provided artwork should come accompanied by proofs and instructions for the printer indicating inside versus outside the fold.
The average 3.5" X 6" (finished size) three-panel insert on 45# coated stock weighs .10 oz.
Yes. In fact, self-mailers work well in the statement channel. Keep in mind this means abiding by return postal regulations. Existing creative may need to be reformatted. If your three-panel piece is a self-mailer, it may also require a glue strip.
All creative submitted for printing in the final version can be submitted as a PDF, but if any changes are required, Echo Media can not change a PDF. For this reason, we recommend that you send final artwork in Mac/Quark format - we use version 6, but any version can be accommodated.
Supplying Echo Media with the source artwork also allows us to execute any black plate versioning or add any customization required by the files, such as disclaimers, and tracking codes.
Four weeks is the ideal print lead time for this channel. This allows two weeks to prepare and proof and two weeks to print and deliver.
While each statement has different requirements, a safe estimate is 15 days prior to the scheduled mail date.