Variable Mailing Inkjet Systems
For Variable Addressing and Personalized Direct Mail
Variable mailing and addressing help businesses produce more relevant, accurate, and trackable direct mail without slowing down production. Using DPi variable mailing inkjet technology, each mail piece can contain unique data—including customer names, addresses, barcodes, QR codes, personalized offers, images, and tracking elements—while maintaining full production speed.
The SWIFT and M7 deliver 600 dpi variable inkjet with Kyocera printheads. SWIFT is a compact 4.25" system ideal for mailing and addressing, while the M7 scales from 4.25" to over 22" for larger formats. Adjustable drop sizes improve barcode and small text quality. Our barcode shaving tool enhances scan rates. LED UV inks cure instantly on plastic cards, coated stocks, and more.
What Is Variable Mailing Inkjet?
Variable mailing inkjet is a digital print process that combines a static page design with a database of changing information. The fixed elements of the design remain the same, while variable elements update in real time for each printed piece.
A simple example would be a postcard where the layout stays consistent, but the recipient name, mailing address, offer code, QR code, and local sales message change for every customer. This allows businesses to create personalized marketing campaigns without stopping the press or creating separate print runs.
What Are Variable Mailing Systems Used For?
Variable mailing systems are used to print personalized information, addresses, barcodes, QR codes, and other variable data at production speeds. By combining fixed designs with customer-specific information, businesses can create more relevant communications while improving efficiency, tracking, and response rates.
Common applications include:
Personalized postcards and direct mail campaigns
Variable addressing and postal barcoding
Direct mail promotions and marketing campaigns
Transactional documents and customer communications
Insurance notices and policy documents
Account statements and billing notices
Mail tracking and reporting applications
Membership cards and loyalty programs
Product identification and labeling
For commercial printers, mailers, and direct mail service providers, variable mailing systems help produce targeted, data-driven communications without sacrificing production speed or print quality.
How Does Variable Addressing Work?
In a production environment, specialized software pulls customer data from a stored list or database. Each address field becomes a variable element. As the material moves through the printer, the system updates the variable name, address, barcode, tracking code, or other information in real time.
For teams familiar with software or database language, the concept is comparable to a program reading values from an organized data array. One value may describe the customer name, another may reference the address, and another may generate a barcode or QR code. In print production, the goal is an accurate printed mail piece delivered to the correct location, and our systems can make that happen.
What Is the SWIFT Variable Mailing System?
The DPi SWIFT is a compact 4.25" variable mailing inkjet system designed specifically for mailing, addressing, and personalization applications. Powered by Kyocera printhead technology, SWIFT delivers 600 dpi print quality and reliable high-speed performance in a space-efficient platform.
Key features include:
4.25" print width
600x600 dpi variable inkjet printing (native resolution)
Kyocera printhead technology
Variable addressing and postal barcoding
QR code and tracking code printing
Personalized direct mail and marketing applications
Compact footprint for easy integration
Available with LED UV or aqueous ink options
What Is the Hawk M7 Variable Mailing System?
The DPi Hawk M7 is a scalable variable mailing inkjet platform built for larger formats, higher production volumes, and expanded print capabilities. Available in sizes from 4.25" to over 22", the M7 can support a wide range of direct mail, addressing, packaging, and industrial printing applications.
Key features include:
Print widths from 4.25" to over 22"
600x600 dpi variable inkjet printing (native resolution)
Kyocera printhead technology
Variable data printing and personalization
High-speed production up to 1,200 feet per minute
Barcode, QR code, and tracking integration
Adjustable drop sizes for improved barcode and small text quality
LED UV curing for instant drying
Modular design for expanding production requirements
Service, Training, and Support
Every DPi system is backed by service and support designed to help customers get the most out of their equipment from day one.
Each system includes a 1-year warranty covering manufacturer defects and out-of-box defects. DPi also provides free remote service for the life of the system, along with free operator and maintenance training at installation.
For customers who need additional hands-on support, DPi also offers on-site maintenance visits at an additional cost.
Included support:
1-year warranty for manufacturer and out-of-box defects
Free remote service for the life of the system
Free operator training upon installation
Free maintenance personnel training upon installation
Optional on-site maintenance visits available at additional cost
CTA: Learn more about DPi service and support.
How Does Variable Data Printing Improve Direct Mail Response Rates?
Variable data printing improves direct mail by making each piece more personal, useful, and trackable. Personalized marketing often produces stronger engagement because customers are more likely to respond to mail that feels relevant to their needs.
Variable data printing can customize text, images, graphics, barcodes, QR codes, offers, and calls-to-action without stopping the press. Personalized mail campaigns can result in significantly higher response and conversion rates, with some industry references pointing to increases up to 300% compared to generic mail when personalization is done well.
High-definition, high-color personalization can also help customers connect with offers that match their interests. A mail piece can include dynamic imagery, customer-specific messaging, location-based content, or unique tracking codes that help measure campaign performance after the mail is delivered.
Lower-Cost Ink Options
DPi offers both UV and aqueous ink options to help customers match the right ink to their application, material, and production goals. Our systems are designed to deliver reliable print quality while helping keep long-term operating costs under control.
Whether you need instant curing with LED UV ink or an aqueous ink solution for mailing and direct mail applications, DPi can help you evaluate the best fit for your production environment.
Key benefits:
UV and aqueous ink options available
Cost-effective ink solutions for production environments
Strong print quality for addresses, barcodes, QR codes, and variable data
Ink options matched to the application and substrate
Designed to support long-term operating efficiency
CTA: Learn more about DPi ink options.
Why Choose DPi for Variable Mailing and Addressing?
At Digital Print, Inc. (DPi), we design, manufacture, install, and support industrial variable mailing inkjet systems for mailing, addressing, and variable data printing applications. Our SWIFT and Hawk M7 platforms are built for high-speed production environments where print quality, reliability, and long-term performance are crucial.
Whether you're evaluating a new system or a retrofit solution, DPi can help you find the right fit for your operation.
Variable Mailing and Addressing FAQs
Why Is Data Quality Critical for Variable Mailing?
Accurate customer data is the foundation of successful variable mailing. Clean, up-to-date lists improve targeting, reduce delivery failures, and help ensure addresses, barcodes, QR codes, and personalized messages are printed correctly.
Can Variable Mailing Inkjet Be Added to Existing Equipment?
In many cases, yes. Variable mailing inkjet systems can often be integrated into existing presses, mailing lines, inserters, and packaging equipment, allowing businesses to add personalization and variable data capabilities without replacing an entire production line.
How Fast Are Variable Mailing Inkjet Systems?
Modern variable mailing inkjet systems can achieve production speeds up to 1,200 feet per minute while maintaining high-quality variable data printing. Our SWIFT and Hawk M7 systems combine 600 dpi Kyocera printheads with adjustable drop sizes for clear addresses, barcodes, and small text at production speeds.
Why Do We Use Kyocera Printheads for Variable Addressing?
Kyocera printheads are known for reliability, print quality, and high-speed performance. Their advanced ceramics technology helps produce sharp addresses, readable barcodes, and consistent print quality across long production runs.
What Materials Can Variable Mailing Inkjet Print On?
Variable mailing inkjet systems can print on a wide range of materials, including envelopes, postcards, coated and uncoated paper, labels, plastics, folded documents, and packaging. LED UV inks cure instantly, allowing materials to move directly into finishing and mailing operations.
What Should Businesses Look for in a Variable Mailing Inkjet System?
Businesses should look for a system that delivers reliable print quality, variable data functionality, barcode support, software integration, and dependable technical support. The best solution is one that matches the application's speed, substrate, and production requirements.
We Drive Variable Printing
Looking for a new variable printing system, but not sure where to start? That's what we're here for. Tell us a little about your application, and we'll help you evaluate your options. We'll provide a free personalized quote and recommend a solution that fits your production requirements, growth plans, and budget, because at DPi, we believe that when your business succeeds, we succeed too.
