Silk Road forums

Discussion => Shipping => Topic started by: Flowski on August 27, 2013, 04:07 am

Title: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: Flowski on August 27, 2013, 04:07 am
What's up guys. When you give your address do you go all caps or just cap the first letter? It probably doesn't matter much regardless, but I've been switching between both. I work for a large shipping company and deal with lots of letters. It's easier when people use all caps, and it seems like that's what most companies do.


I see a lot of vendors saying to use this format so I'm curious.

Dread Pirate Roberts
123 Silk Road Ave.
Drugsburgh, DV 12345-6789

vs.

DREAD PIRATE ROBERTS
123 SILK ROAD AVE.
DRUGSBURGH, DV 12345-6789

Also, 9 digit zip or 5? I usually go 9.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: CannabisCrusader on August 27, 2013, 04:33 am
I've heard using the extended zip code was better and could get it there faster, it's what I use at least
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: fuckmadagascar on August 27, 2013, 04:38 am
If your order is coming from a personal address to a personal address (like an average letter being sent from a person to a person, not business to business) you should go with what looks normal for person to person letters. If business to business address, use all caps. I doubt it's the biggest concern to the USPS how you use your caps as long as it gets there, but hey, never hurts to be safe.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: iheartmolly on August 27, 2013, 05:18 am
If your order is coming from a personal address to a personal address (like an average letter being sent from a person to a person, not business to business) you should go with what looks normal for person to person letters. If business to business address, use all caps. I doubt it's the biggest concern to the USPS how you use your caps as long as it gets there, but hey, never hurts to be safe.

I agree with you mate! I base it on the vendors packaging style and usually alternate.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: Flowski on August 27, 2013, 05:43 am
If your order is coming from a personal address to a personal address (like an average letter being sent from a person to a person, not business to business) you should go with what looks normal for person to person letters. If business to business address, use all caps. I doubt it's the biggest concern to the USPS how you use your caps as long as it gets there, but hey, never hurts to be safe.

Yeah that makes sense. I'm pretty sure 90% of what I've gotten had the return address of a company. Actually it might be every order, I can't remember a vendor just using a person's name and addy for the return address.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: NW Nugz on August 27, 2013, 11:40 am
All caps is like yelling the customer's name and address. I try to avoid it even on business mailings. I prefer to blend rather than stand out.
 On return addresses of businesses, all caps for a short business name looks good. If you look at/use a Logo graphic, it will show you how they like to publish their name. I am not sure all caps even looks good for longer names. Look at websites or Junk mail to get a feel for business methods. I'm not sure what they do, I do what fits my theory as to what I think seems pro, but, stands out as little as possible.
The USPS does have guidelines as to what's best. I hear they give both/inconsistent answers though.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: CheapestCocaine on August 27, 2013, 12:57 pm
I've heard using the extended zip code was better and could get it there faster, it's what I use at least

ive heard that as well
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: harpua25 on August 28, 2013, 07:19 am
God forbid anyone base their response on actual information. 

From pages 5-6 of the January 2013 version of USPS's Publication 28 "Postal Addressing Standards": "Uppercase letters are preferred on all lines of the address block.  Lowercase letters in various type styles are acceptable provided they meet postal guidelines for OCR readability"

The full document can be accessed via this CLEARNET link: http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/Pub28/pub28.pdf
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: NW Nugz on August 28, 2013, 08:38 am
God forbid anyone base their response on actual information. 

From pages 5-6 of the January 2013 version of USPS's Publication 28 "Postal Addressing Standards": "Uppercase letters are preferred on all lines of the address block.  Lowercase letters in various type styles are acceptable provided they meet postal guidelines for OCR readability"...
Good to know.
I'll be sticking with my less USPS-preferred approach and I even hope the OCR has a little trouble with my return address size and fonts now and then ;-) The address it is going to should be very readable. If you use an inkjet printer to avoid the secret yellow dots most newer lazers add to all printouts, I suggest clear tape over the important address to avoid raindrops or coffee or... obscuring the non-waterproof ink.
Title: Re: Address - all caps or first letter of each word?
Post by: spanky loc on August 28, 2013, 09:13 am
All caps here, and I put "MR." in front of it too. Not quite cheeky enough to put "ESQ." at the end though.