Method and system for printing a mail list in presort order on multiple printers

Abstract

The invention is a method and system for printing a mail list in presort order, on a plurality of printers. The method begins with the preparation of a mail list within an addressing system. The mail list is presorted in accordance with postal service requirements. The presorted mail list is then divided into batches by container type. Container type is determined by selecting from among container types generally available to a mailer and which are in conformance with postal service regulations for containing presorted mail. The maximum mailpiece capacity of the container defines the point at where the presorted mail list is divided. After division into batches, the mail list is then directed to the printers for printing to envelopes. Each of the printers is selected based upon the batches that are to be printed and are configured to print based upon a container type corresponding to the batch. The batch size equals the corresponding container's capacity. The printer pauses after completion of the batch printing and notifies a system user that the batch has been printed. The printer does not print a next batch until allowed to do so by the system user. The system user can monitor the status of the process by referring to a monitor. Once printed, the batch of mailpieces is placed into its corresponding container, and the container is delivered to the postal service. In an alternative embodiment, direction of the print stream to the printers is accomplished by an external print director.