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FAQ
General information
PENSAKI brings a personal touch to your communication with state-of-the-art robot technology. We create handwritten letters and postcards for you, whereby each text is written by robots in human handwriting using fountain pens or ballpoint pens. You can easily order our standard letters (Briefe2GO = standard formats) online from a quantity of 10 pieces. For individual business formats, the order quantity starts at 250 pieces, and more information can be found here.
We focus on real, inked handwriting and do not create electronic lettering for printing. Our handwriting is from real people who provide us with their personal handwriting. With our reliable robots, we guarantee not only the highest quality when labeling your letters, but also the necessary scalability – even for print runs of 500,000 letters.
Ordering from PENSAKI is very straightforward and is done online, including the transmission of all addresses.
Standard handwritten letters (from 10 pieces)
The minimum order quantity for our standard formats is 10 letters/cards. You can also order just one letter, but then at the price of the minimum quantity. Your shopping cart will calculate this automatically, depending on the quantity. This also applies to quantities above the minimum quantity.
PENSAKI Made-to-order handwritten letters incl. printing (from 250 pieces)
All individual formats can be ordered from 250 pieces, where we can offer you completely individualized formats in “handwriting”. 250 pieces refers to the quantity per order. There is a wide range of possible formats, text lengths and processing options. For continuous orders (once a week or once a month), the minimum quantity is 100 letters/cards/postcards per order.
With the PENSAKI standard letters, you can get started right away with the respective format in the store. Simply click on “ORDER NOW”. For individual business customer solutions, you will receive an e-mail from us with all the access data for your order. To be able to save your designs, you must first register with PENSAKI.
You can create your PENSAKI campaign conveniently online. Once you open the online editor, you can start entering text straight away. Each format has its own online editor. This means that the number of lines and characters per line (including spaces) differs accordingly. PENSAKI transfers your content 1:1 as you enter it.
At PENSAKI, we offer you a selection of free standard handwriting that every customer can use. For something really special, there is your personal VIP handwriting. This is particularly popular with CEOs, board members or brands who want to give their messages a very personal and unique touch. If you decide to use your own handwriting, it belongs only to you and is used exclusively for your messages. We also capture a signature that becomes part of your individual handwriting.
The creation of such a VIP handwriting is a one-off investment. After your approval, this handwriting, including signature, is available to you at any time at no additional cost. Please note that the programming of our handwriting has been specially developed for our system and is not compatible with other printing or writing processes. We look forward to embellishing your messages with your own personal handwriting!
Yes – We are happy to enclose something with your handwritten letters. This is always a very good idea so that the handwritten text does not become an advertising text. You can then present all informative content on the insert accordingly. Otherwise, vouchers are of course always a great idea. Even personalized inserts are possible.
Yes, with Pensaki you can also add your personal signature/signature to all handwritten letters and cards. This means that the texts are written with a standard handwriting or your individual VIP handwriting and additionally enhanced with a signature. Alternatively, we can also write your autograph cards for you. These options are available as part of our individual formats, i.e. from a minimum print run of 250 or 500 pieces. We would only ever record a “signature” here, which has no formal legal relevance.
Cold calling in the B2B sector: In a business context (B2B), it is indeed often permitted under the GDPR to contact companies without prior consent if a legitimate interest can be assumed. However, it must be carefully weighed up whether the company contacted has a presumed interest in the offer.
Opt-out procedure for postal mailings: In contrast to email newsletters, which require an opt-in procedure (prior consent), the opt-out principle often applies to postal mailings. This means that companies may send postal mailings as long as the recipients have not expressly objected. However, recipients must be given the opportunity to express their objection to further mailings.
Nein, bei PENSAKI beauftragt man einfach nur die gewünschte Stückzahl. Es gibt keine Vertragslaufzeiten.
Die Stückpreise unserer Standardformate (ab 5 Stück) verstehen sich alle inklusive aktuell gültiger MwSt, Porto Deutsche Post, Briefpapier und Posteinlieferung.
Die Angebotspreise aller Individualformate (ab 250 Stück) verstehen sich immer EXKLUSIVE MwSt, Briefpapier und Versandkosten. Lieferungen an Unternehmer in anderen Mitgliedstaaten der Europäischen Union (EU) – Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer erforderlich – sind grundsätzlich umsatzsteuerfrei im Herkunftsland und unterliegen im Bestimmungsland beim Empfänger der Lieferung der Erwerbsbesteuerung.
Yes, our API for handwritten letters is available for all standard formats. Simply log in and you will find your personal API key in the “My Pensaki” section under settings. All documents are automatically transferred to your shopping cart. There you can carry out any final checks and transfer the documents to production. We have several APIs that allow you to transfer all your Pensaki mailing data directly from your CRM, for example. In this way, you can develop your own scripts and applications based on our system.
In addition to our standard API, we offer further system integrations for all individual formats for ongoing projects so that the transfer can be carried out seamlessly from the CRM.
No, the Pensaki handwritten fonts are not certified as machine-readable by Deutsche Post AG, because we write the letters and do not print them. We do not use fonts. Machine-readable fonts (FONTS) are fonts. This means that “sans serif fonts generally have good machine readability, such as the following standard fonts: Arial, Frutiger, Helvetica, Univers.” These fonts have been certified as machine-readable by Deutsche Post AG.
The topic is relevant in the context of DIALOGPOST consignments. For DIALOGPOST items to be suitable for machine processing, they must be fully automation-capable. The use of certified fonts guarantees this.
DIALOGPOST items that are not suitable for automation (e.g. in “handwriting”) can also be sent. In this case, however, the “non-automation-capable” surcharge will be levied. This amounts to € 0.05 per item (as of 03/2020).
Of course NOT. We don’t offer anything like that, because “handwritten elements” as printed matter contradict all the important psychological principles that have a decisive influence on the success of “handwriting”. Printed handwriting would not be an expression of appreciation, as no value is ascribed to such a message. Without the physical imprint of the fountain pen or pencil, without the ink …. what is cheap also looks cheap. Without appreciation, there is no attention.
Texts, words and characters
Yes, at PENSAKI you can customize each of your handwritten messages. In addition to the personal salutation, you can use our {{segments}} to customize even more parts of your message according to your wishes. This allows you to personalize entire lines. Customizing salutations and addresses is very easy and is done automatically when you import your data and enter your text in the letter editor. You can also use the text modules to personalize other parts of the text or the sender details on the envelopes. Don’t worry, however extensive your personalization is, it won’t affect the cost of labeling or processing your messages.
An A4 sheet of paper offers space for up to 1,400 characters (including spaces and punctuation marks) if you write with a fountain pen. It is important to be brief: Short, personal messages are often better received than long advertising texts. If you don’t captivate your readers right from the start, even the best paper won’t help.
You can find more information on this under: “PENSAKI letters in handwriting: short texts are more successful!” Please note that handwritten texts are read differently to printed texts – they stimulate different areas of the brain and are therefore better remembered. You should therefore avoid overwhelming the reader with texts that are too long. Short and concise is the recipe for success here.
How long are 5 sentences? That depends on how long the words are. In scientific texts, sentences are usually 25 to 29 words long. In novels, they tend to be 15 to 20 words long. A word has an average of 7 characters, if you count spaces and punctuation marks. According to the Duden dictionary, a word has an average of 10.6 letters. In German, a word has about 6.53 characters.
This means that if a sentence has 15 words, that’s about 525 characters (including spaces).
Yes, you can mix different texts in one order. For example, you could have 250 different texts in one order. Changing the texts costs nothing extra. You simply add different versions of the letter to the shopping cart – for example with “Du” or “Sie” or in different languages. This works for all types of text.
You can also customize parts of the text to make it more personal. For example, each letter could contain a different date of birth. Or the senders of the letters could be different depending on the recipient. There are many possibilities.
For envelopes you can use up to 5 lines for the address, and each line can have up to 45 characters (including spaces). This is all written by hand using a machine. If you also want to specify the sender, you have two lines for this. Each line can contain up to 50 characters, including spaces.
For postcards that are to be addressed, you can also use up to 5 lines. However, each line can only be up to 30 characters long, including spaces.
What is a PENSAKI standard format?
This is roughly how a standard format works: Imagine you have a white envelope with a stamp and a blank piece of paper on the table in front of you. Next to it is a pen. You write your text on the paper, address the envelope, and put the letter inside. Then you close the envelope, and as if by magic, it is automatically taken to the post office for you. In a figurative sense, this is what all PENSAKI standard formats are like: everything is prepared for you and all you have to do is write the text by hand and add the addresses. PENSAKI takes care of the rest for you. → https://shop.pensaki.com/en/shop/
Can all letters be personalized with PENSAKI?
Yes, with PENSAKI you can customize each of your handwritten messages. In addition to the personal salutation, our {{text modules}} allow you to customize even more parts of your message according to your wishes. This allows you to personalize entire lines. Customizing salutations and addresses is very easy and is done automatically when you import your data and enter your text in the letter editor. With the text modules, you can also customize other parts of the text or the sender information on the envelopes. Don't worry, no matter how extensive your personalization is, it will not affect the cost of labeling or processing your messages. → https://shop.pensaki.com/en/how-to-import-addresses/
What is a MADE-TO-ORDER format at PENSAKI?
With all custom formats, we offer you the option of not only personalizing handwritten text and addresses, but also customizing the letterhead. In addition, you can book additional services such as the inclusion of vouchers at the same time. You are also free to choose the format of the lettering and the amount of text. Over 500 variants are available. Postcards are always treated as custom formats, as we always have them printed on your behalf before lettering. → https://shop.pensaki.com/en/made-to-order/
What is a standard layout vs. custom layout at PENSAKI?
When you write text on a card or sheet of paper, it makes a big difference whether the text is printed or written by hand, with a fountain pen or ballpoint pen – whether by hand or with a writing robot. To ensure that the text remains legible, each format has clear guidelines for the number of lines and characters per line. In the standard layout, the text is arranged in a simple text block without special spacing or individual adjustments. However, if you have specific spacing requirements, your own layout preferences, or other layout requests, you can have these implemented with a custom layout. This is easily possible for all formats with a minimum order quantity of 250 pieces. In this case, a layout will be created for all cards or letters.
Which handwriting styles are available?
At PENSAKI, we offer a selection of free standard handwriting styles that can be used by any customer. There are currently six handwriting styles available, all of which have been programmed based on human handwriting. Of course, we don't write every letter the same way. The typeface varies. Our professional tip: Let ChatGPT compare our samples with those of other providers and ask which handwriting looks the most “human” in terms of font variation. This is an extremely important aspect if you want to express appreciation to your customers. The human brain recognizes within less than a second whether handwriting looks authentic or whether someone is playing a cheap joke. For something truly special, you can have your own personal VIP handwriting. This is particularly popular with CEOs, board members, or brands that want to give their messages a very personal and unique touch. When you choose your own handwriting, it belongs only to you and is used exclusively for your messages. We also capture a signature or initials that become part of your individual handwriting. The creation of such a VIP handwriting style is a one-time investment. Once you have approved it, this handwriting style, including your signature, will be available to you at any time at no additional cost. Please note that our handwriting styles have been specially developed for our system and are not compatible with other printing or writing methods. We look forward to embellishing your messages with your very own handwriting style!
Can PENSAKI also print my postcards or letterhead before adding the lettering?
Yes, of course. This is possible for orders of 250 cards, letters, or postcards or more. Upon request, we can have them printed in the desired design before adding the lettering. During the ordering process, you will receive a corresponding design template in PDF format for both sides. After we receive your PDF print data, it takes approximately three to five business days before we can begin the lettering. After you approve the lettering, it takes approximately five to seven business days for shipping. → https://shop.pensaki.com/en/shipment/
What is a VIP signature at PENSAKI?
Would you like your own personal signature or autograph cards? With the “VIP signature” option, you can have exactly that. This means that we write a signature for you that you can use in addition to handwritten text or as an autograph card. To do this, we program your personal signature. With Pensaki, you can add your personal signature to all handwritten letters and cards. The texts are written either in standard handwriting or in your individual VIP handwriting and additionally refined with a signature. Alternatively, we can also write your autograph cards. We offer this service as part of our custom formats with a minimum order of 250 pieces. We can also create different versions so that the signatures are different. Otherwise, we simply write your name legibly in standard handwriting, as most of our customers prefer. →https://shop.pensaki.com/en/handwriting-styles/
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity for our standard formats is 10 letters/cards. You can also order just one letter, but then at the price of the minimum quantity. Your shopping cart will calculate this automatically, depending on the number of items. This also applies to quantities above the minimum quantity. PENSAKI custom formats including printing Letterhead (minimum order quantity: 250 pieces) All custom formats can be ordered in quantities of 250 pieces or more. Here we can offer you completely customized formats in “handwriting.” The minimum order quantity is 250 pieces per order. There are a variety of formats, text lengths, and processing options available. For recurring orders (once a week or once a month), the minimum order quantity is 100 letters/cards/postcards per order. →https://shop.pensaki.com/en/products/
How does PENSAKI work?
With PENSAKI standard letters, you can get started right away with the respective format in the shop. Simply click on “ORDER NOW.” For customized business solutions, you will receive an email from us with all the access data for your order. You must first register with PENSAKI in order to save your designs. You can create your PENSAKI campaign conveniently online. Once you have opened the online editor, you can start entering your text straight away. Each format has its own online editor. This means that the number of lines and characters per line (including spaces) varies accordingly. PENSAKI transfers your content exactly as you enter it. → https://shop.pensaki.com/en/how/
Is PENSAKI EU GDPR-compliant?
Yes, PENSAKI is of course GDPR-compliant. Here are the most important points: AVV agreement: You conclude the contract for order processing (AVV) directly online during the ordering process. It is not necessary to return it by post. Security standards: The entire ordering process is SSL-encrypted to protect your data. PENSAKI uses servers in Germany to ensure the highest security standards and data protection guidelines. Anonymization: You can delete all personal data from your customer account. Your order history will remain intact; only salutations and addresses will be anonymized. This is possible after an order has been shipped. This means that all personal data will be deleted, but the mailing itself will remain in your order history. This data will also be removed from all backups within 30 days. You will receive confirmation by email when this process is complete. Data integrity: Data integrity is guaranteed by the online process at PENSAKI, including the preview function for all content. This means that all customer data is transferred to handwritten mailings exactly as you submitted it.
What services does PENSAKI offer?
PENSAKI uses state-of-the-art robot technology to add a personal touch to your communications. We create handwritten letters and postcards for you, with every word written by robots in human handwriting using fountain pens or ballpoint pens. You can easily order our standard letters (Briefe2GO = standard formats) online in quantities of 10 or more. For customized business formats, the minimum order quantity is 250 pieces. You can find more information here. We focus on genuine handwriting written in ink and do not create electronic lettering for printing. Our handwriting comes from real people who provide us with their personal handwriting. With our reliable robots, we not only guarantee the highest quality when writing your letters, but also the necessary scalability – even for print runs of 500,000 letters. Ordering from PENSAKI is very straightforward and can be done online, including the transmission of all addresses.
Can vouchers or flyers also be included?
Yes – we are happy to enclose something with your handwritten letters. This is always a very good idea to ensure that the handwritten text does not become advertising copy. You can then include all the relevant information on the insert. Otherwise, vouchers are always a great idea. We can even provide personalized inserts.
Is this a subscription model?
No, with PENSAKI you simply order the desired number of letters. There are no contract terms.
Do the prices quoted include value added tax (VAT)?
The unit prices of our standard formats (from 10 pieces) include the currently applicable value added tax, German Postage, letterhead, and postage. The prices quoted for all custom formats (from 250 pieces) exclude value added tax, letterhead, and shipping costs. Deliveries to businesses in other member states of the European Union (EU) are generally exempt from sales tax in the country of origin and are subject to sales tax in the country of destination. A sales tax identification number is required for this.
Does PENSAKI have an API?
Yes, our API for handwritten letters is available for all standard formats. Simply sign up and find your personal API key in the “My Pensaki” section under Settings. All documents are automatically transferred to your shopping cart. There you can perform final checks and transfer the documents to production. We have several APIs that allow you to transfer all your Pensaki mailing data directly from your CRM, for example. This allows you to develop your own scripts and applications based on our system. In addition to our standard API, we offer further system integrations for ongoing projects and all custom formats so that the transfer can be carried out seamlessly from the CRM. → https://pensaki.com/api/docs/API.html
Are Pensaki handwritings certified as machine-readable?
No, Pensaki handwritings are not certified as machine-readable by Deutsche Post AG, because we write the letters and do not print them. We do not use fonts. Machine-readable fonts (FONTS) are fonts. This means that “sans serif fonts generally have good machine readability, such as the following standard fonts: Arial, Frutiger, Helvetica, Univers.” These fonts have been certified as machine-readable by Deutsche Post AG. This topic is relevant in the context of DIALOGPOST shipments. This is because DIALOGPOST shipments must be fully automated in order to be suitable for machine processing. The use of certified fonts ensures this. DIALOGPOST items that are not suitable for automation (e.g., handwritten items) can also be sent. In this case, however, the surcharge for “not suitable for automation” will be applied. This surcharge is €0.05 per item (as of 03/2020).
Is it printed handwriting?
No, of course not, for goodness' sake, because that would be contrary to all rules of appreciation: At our company, robot hands write every letter with a fountain pen or ballpoint pen. Printed handwriting makes no sense because it violates psychological rules that influence success. Printed handwritten elements have no special value and appear cheap because they cannot have the physical aspect of ink or pen. Instead, we recommend simple printed materials with fonts that are often discarded but are more cost-effective. We do not offer such printed handwriting because it contradicts the important psychological principles that make handwriting successful. Without appreciation, the message will not receive attention. A message in printed handwriting is simply spam.
How do I transfer the salutations and addresses?
Once you have entered and saved your text in the editor, you will automatically be provided with an import template.
What do I need to transfer all salutations and addresses?
You need this template to easily transfer all salutations and addresses. To do this, click on “1. Download template” above the table in the editor and save the file on your computer. Then open this file with a spreadsheet program such as Excel or Google Sheets. Enter your data such as names, addresses, and personal salutations in the fields provided. If you wish, you can also add additional text modules for a personal touch. Once you are finished, upload the file back to the editor. All data will then be automatically inserted in the correct place. →https://shop.pensaki.com/en/how-to-import-addresses/Can I send my data by email?
No. It is not permitted to send personal data unencrypted by email. This is unsafe and violates the GDPR, which stipulates high security standards for data protection. For this reason, all order data must be transmitted to PENSAKI in encrypted form via our secure online editor. A user account is required to use this service. As a customer, you prepare your data and use our templates for this purpose. We do not change your data and strictly ensure its integrity. This means that we process the data exactly as you submit it. →https://shop.pensaki.com/en/how-to-import-addresses/
Is there a preview of the content?
Yes, you can get a preview of your texts and addresses. Once you have entered everything, simply click on “Preview” at the bottom of the page. You can also download this preview as a PDF file. It is important to use this preview to ensure that your “handwritten” letters and postcards are correct. →https://shop.pensaki.com/en/how-to-import-addresses//p>
How are birthday cards sorted?
To ensure that you can send all birthday cards on time, we have developed a simple method. We write a short code (four numbers) on the envelope or postcard, exactly where the stamp will go. For example, the birthday March 28 becomes the code 0328. This way, you can always send the right card on time. You transfer this code, along with the addresses and salutations, when placing your online order with PENSAKI. → Example: https://workdrive.zohopublic.eu/external/4b57b83b8a35008414f903a6f48c48a27a4a48d3c13dc483f1a049f4c048b577
Will I receive a sample for approval before production?
Yes, for custom formats of 250 pieces or more. For custom orders for business customers, we will coordinate the layout with you in advance. You will then receive a sample for approval to ensure that everything meets your requirements. If you have any special layout requests, we will discuss these with you before creating the first sample. We usually send you the sample by email for approval within 24 hours of receiving your data, provided we have all the information we need for your order. For standard formats, we start labeling immediately after you place your order. There is no extra approval step here. → https://shop.pensaki.com/de/versand/#individual-freigabe
Why do words appear in yellow CAPITAL LETTERS in the text editor?
Words written entirely in capital letters, such as TODAY or URGENT, are highlighted in yellow in the editor because they not only appear rude when used to emphasize urgency or similar, but can also look very awkward when written by hand. This only applies to longer words, not short names. Yellow is a recommendation, red is an error that blocks the process until it is corrected.
What does the layout refer to?
The “approval sample” shows what the layout of your order will look like. This includes: – The type of handwriting, – Which writing instrument is used (e.g., fountain pen or ballpoint pen), – How the text is arranged on the page, including line spacing and paragraphs, – How the handwriting is aligned. If you pay a setup fee, up to two approval samples are included. If you need more samples because your requirements change, there will be an additional charge. The approval sample does not show the content of your campaign. You can view the content at any time using the preview function.
How much text fits on an A4 sheet in handwriting?
An A4 sheet has space for up to 1,400 characters (including spaces and punctuation marks) when written with a fountain pen. It is important to keep it short. Short, personal messages are often better received than long advertising texts. If you don't grab your readers' attention right from the start, even the best paper won't help. For more information, see: “PENSAKI Handwritten letters: Short texts are more successful!” Keep in mind that handwritten texts are read differently than printed ones: They stimulate different areas of the brain and are therefore easier to remember. That's why you should avoid overwhelming readers with texts that are too long. Short and concise is the recipe for success here. → https://shop.pensaki.com/de/texte/
How many characters are there in 5 sentences?
How long are 5 sentences? That depends on how long the words are. In scientific texts, sentences are usually 25 to 29 words long. In novels, they tend to be 15 to 20 words long. A word has an average of 7 characters, including spaces and punctuation marks. According to Duden, a word has an average of 10.6 letters. In the German language, a word has about 6.53 characters. This means that if a sentence has 15 words, it has approximately 525 characters (including spaces).
Can I combine different versions of a text?
Yes, you can mix different texts in one order. For example, you could have 250 different texts in one order. Changing the texts does not cost anything extra. Simply add different versions of the letter to your shopping cart – for example, with “you” or “you” or in different languages. This works for all types of texts. You can also customize parts of the text to make it more personal. For example, each letter could contain a different date of birth. Or the senders of the letters could be different depending on the recipient. There are many possibilities.
How many characters can the addresses contain?
For envelopes or labels, you can use up to 5 lines for the address, and each line can have up to 45 characters (including spaces). Everything is written by hand using a machine. If you also want to include the sender's address, you have two lines of space for this. Each line can contain up to 50 characters, including spaces. For postcards that need to be addressed, you can also use up to 5 lines. However, each line can only be up to 30 characters long, including spaces. → https://shop.pensaki.com/de/handschriftliche-adressierung/
Should the back of postcards remain white and unprinted?
Our clear recommendation is no. We believe it is very important to also print the back of the postcard with the sender's details and any other relevant information, such as the URL or a QR code that leads to a landing page. Contact details are particularly useful here. This keeps the handwritten message personal and free of unnecessary information. It is therefore advisable to take care when designing the back of the card. The sender's address is particularly important so that undeliverable postcards are not destroyed by the postal service without comment, but can be returned to the sender. It therefore makes sense to print this information on the back of the postcards. Tip: Use the top 20 mm area on the back, either above or below the text field. This is where you can place important information such as contact details, registration URLs, or a QR code. This allows your handwritten message to remain personal and free of advertising content, as all advertising content and contact details are already printed on the postcard.
How long does shipping take with PENSAKI?
At PENSAKI, shipping times vary depending on the format. For standard formats, handwritten production begins immediately after ordering and payment, so that the letters are usually handed over to Deutsche Post within three working days. Delivery in Germany then usually takes one to two business days. For custom formats, where the cards are printed before being handwritten, the entire process takes longer: first the cards are printed, then approved, and finally handwritten. In this case, it takes about eight to ten business days for the cards to be shipped. → https://shop.pensaki.com/de/versand/
Does PENSAKI also offer shipping via Dialogpost in Germany?
Yes, PENSAKI offers shipping via DIALOGPOST, including the Dialogpost Easy option for orders of 500 or more within Germany. This option is available for custom formats where the cards are printed in advance and then labeled by hand. PENSAKI handles the entire process, including postage optimization. Dialogpost Easy is particularly suitable for larger mailings of 500 pieces or more that do not contain personalized content. For smaller quantities or personalized texts, shipping via Deutsche Post as a standard letter is the better choice. PENSAKI's standard formats automatically use this method.
Is there a German sender requirement when shipping with Deutsche Post?
Yes, a complete sender address in Germany is mandatory for shipping via Deutsche Post. Without a German return address, the shipment does not comply with Deutsche Post's terms and conditions. In such cases, the post office may refuse to accept the shipment or return letters that have already been accepted.