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# Why do some mailings get delivered with smudges/smears on them?

On occasion, mail pieces may arrive with some extraneous wear and tear due to the automated postal sorting equipment used by the USPS. Extraneous wear may appear as scuffing, black marks, print degradation, etc. This issue impacts a small percentage of mail pieces and is an issue among other mailers in the industry as well. We've reviewed industry print durability studies which show that this issue affects both offset and digitally printed pieces, with and without protective coatings applied.

[Click here to watch a video about smudges and smears on your postcards.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob_J8aH3IfU)