PostGrid provides Test Mode and Live Mode as separate environments for your direct mail operations. Test Mode lets you test the complete workflow without risk, while Live Mode handles your actual production mailings.
What is this feature?
Test Mode: This is a safe, sandbox environment designed for testing. In Test Mode, you can create orders, preview how your mailings will look, and test the entire end-to-end workflow without actually sending anything out or incurring any charges.
Live Mode: This is the production environment where actual mailings are sent out to recipients. When you operate in Live Mode, your actions directly result in physical mail being processed and sent, and you will be billed for these services.
How can I use it?
In the left-hand sidebar, locate the Live Mode toggle, typically found under the "Orders" section.
Clicking this toggle will instantly switch your dashboard view and operations between Test Mode and Live Mode.
How do I get billed for it?
Test Mode: You are not billed for any actions performed in Test Mode. This environment is completely free, allowing you to experiment and test without incurring any charges.
Live Mode: When you send mailings or perform any billable actions in Live Mode, you will be billed according to your PostGrid plan and usage. This environment is for actual production mailings.
FAQs
Q: Can I preview mailings in Test Mode? Yes, Test Mode allows you to preview how your mail will look and test the complete workflow before sending it live. This helps you verify formatting, content, and addressing without any cost or risk.
Q: Does data transfer between Test Mode and Live Mode?
No, Test Mode and Live Mode operate as completely separate environments. All API calls, data, and resources in Test Mode are isolated from your Live environment and vice versa.
Q: Are there any exceptions for data transfer?
Yes, templates are an exception. You can create and test templates in Test Mode, and then copy them over to Live Mode when they are ready for production use. However, other resources like contacts, orders, and mailings remain separate.
Q: Can I switch modes for existing orders or data? No, orders and data created in one mode cannot be transferred or switched to the other mode. They remain in their original environment. You would need to recreate the order in the desired mode.