Ever since last summer’s significant postal rate increase and restructuring, publishers have been scrambling to catch up. One strategy that has helped publishers realize legitimate savings is co-mailing—and as the pressures mount, printers, if only to remain competitive in a supremely cost-challenged environment, have been stepping in with services to assist where possible.

RR Donnelley recently stepped up its co-mailing capabilities. The printer announced a new variable trim binding technology that allows products of variable trim sizes to be pooled into a single mail stream.

When contacted by FOLIO:, an RR Donnelley spokesperson could not immediately say how the new technology will affect the company's magazine clients.

Some estimates note that co-mailing can save a publisher 5 to 10 percent off postal costs, before charges for the service are factored in.

The technology allows multiple sized products from different customers to be bound in-line in a single operation, according to the release. By eliminating the uniform trim size requirement—the technology can accommodate variations in trim size up to one inch in either head-to-foot or side-to-side dimensions—more publishers can take advantage of the savings.

According to the printer, customers that are already participating in a co-mailing arrangement can now more freely investigate trim size changes to save on paper costs without worrying about losing their place in a co-mailing stream.

Good Quarter

RR Donnelley on Tuesday reported its first quarter revenues, which were $3 billion, up 7.3 percent from the same period in 2007. The company attributes the increase to recent acquisitions and favorable exchange rates. Net earnings were $182 million, up from $138.9 million during the first quarter last year.