Everything You Need to Know About Post Office Direct Mail

You can use the post office to send direct mail, but it's not the only option.

The post office offers a variety of direct mail services, including First-Class Mail and Priority Mail.

Direct mail can be a cost-effective way to reach a large audience, with costs starting at just $0.30 per piece.

Sending mail through the post office can be convenient, with drop-off locations available at many post office branches.

Choosing a Mail Class is a crucial step in planning a successful post office direct mail campaign. USPS First-Class Mail is a popular option, but it's not recommended for businesses that need to target customers within their proximity.

EDDM, or Every Door Direct Mail, is a good alternative, but only if you don't need to target specific customers. If your product is highly specialized, direct mail personalization is necessary, or the campaign is for loyalty programs, EDDM might not be the best choice.

USPS First-Class Mail is a good option if you want to send mail to a specific address, but it can be more expensive than EDDM.

Permit fees and additional costs may apply when sending direct mail through the post office.

The cost of shipping with USPS can vary depending on the type of mail and the number of pieces being sent. For example, the per-unit cost to ship with USPS is $0.19 per piece if EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) is selected.

EDDM Retail costs $0.20 per piece, which can save up to 7 cents compared to standard letter mail or 3.5 cents compared to 4×6 postcard first-class postage rate.

The postage savings can add up quickly, especially when sending thousands of postcards.

The cost of printing and mailing letters in envelopes can vary depending on the number of pieces being sent. For example, using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print, and mail 500 letters in envelopes at USPS Marketing Mail rates for about $800.

Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs for printing and mailing letters in envelopes:

Note that these estimates are based on using a purchased list and an affordable designer, and may vary depending on your specific situation.

Creating and sending mail is a straightforward process. You can create a mailpiece by writing or printing your message on a piece of paper or card, and then affixing the correct postage.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends using a scale to accurately weigh your mailpiece and determine the correct postage. This ensures that you pay the right amount and avoid any potential delays or fines.

To send mail, simply drop it in a mailbox or take it to a post office. The USPS has over 40,000 post offices across the country, making it easy to find a location near you.

To create shipping labels, you'll need to gather the recipient's address, which should include their name, street address or PO box, city, state or province, and zip or postal code. This information is crucial for accurate delivery.

Make sure the address is legible and free of errors, as this can cause delays or even lost packages. You can use a label maker or write it by hand, but make sure to double-check your handwriting.

Use a standard shipping label template, which typically includes space for the sender's and recipient's addresses, as well as any relevant barcodes or tracking information. This will help ensure your label is easy to read and scan.

Choose the right shipping carrier and service level, which will determine the cost and delivery time of your package. You can select from options like USPS, UPS, or FedEx, and choose from different speeds like ground, air, or express.

Print your shipping label on high-quality paper or a label sheet, making sure to use the correct size and orientation for your carrier and service level. This will ensure your label looks professional and is easy to read.

If you're planning an EDDM mailing, you'll need to choose a format that meets the size requirements of a flat.

EDDM mailings entered at a retail unit must be larger than 10.5”L or 6.25”H or 0.25” thick, but smaller than 15”L, 12”H, and 0.75” thick.

You have a variety of direct mail formats to choose from, including postcards and brochures.

Self-mailers, like folded self-mailers, should meet the flat-size minimum dimensions to ensure they meet the correct specifications for mailing.

Letters are also an option, but if you choose EDDM, letter campaigns are only allowed on rural routes or for government mail purposes.

If you're planning to send out a large number of mail pieces, you'll want to take advantage of the bulk mail discount. This can save you a significant amount of money on postage.

The bulk mail discount is available for commercial mail classes, which are typically used by businesses and organizations. You can choose from different types of commercial mail classes, each with its own price and preparation requirements.

To qualify for the bulk mail discount, you'll need to prepare your mail pieces in a specific way. This includes using a barcode on the envelope and sorting your mail by zip code.

The price of commercial mail classes varies depending on the class and the weight of the mail piece. You can find the most up-to-date pricing information on the post office website.

Every Door Direct Mail is a great way to reach a large audience, and it's surprisingly easy to use. You can plan a direct mailing online and have it delivered to every home on a selected route.

To take advantage of the special postage discount, your EDDM postcards must meet specific criteria. They must be taller than 6.125” or longer than 11.5” and smaller than 12”x15”. You can mail only to zip codes in USPS door-to-door routes.

You'll need to mail at least 200 pieces and cover an entire carrier route to qualify. This ensures that every home on the route receives your postcard. You can mail a maximum of 5,000 EDDM postcards per day.

Some businesses that can benefit from EDDM are restaurants, dry cleaners, moving/storage companies, retail stores, churches, and salons and spas. These types of businesses often get the best results from a saturation mailing that hits every residence in their area.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when using EDDM:

The USPS estimates the delivery time for standard direct mail to be 3-10 days, but they don't guarantee this window. They consider anything after 14 days to be late.

To qualify for EDDM services, your postcard campaign must meet specific criteria, including being taller than 6.125” or longer than 11.5” and smaller than 12”x15”.

You must mail only to zip codes in USPS door-to-door routes, which can be confirmed by the USPS.

Your mailing must be at least 200 pieces and cover at least one complete carrier route.

You can mail a maximum of 5,000 EDDM postcards per day.

EDDM has its own set of requirements for postcard design, but in most cases, you can use your current design with some editing to meet the standards.

EDDM Retail and EDDM BMEU are two different options, with EDDM Retail not requiring a mailing permit but limited to standard flats and 5,000 pieces per day, while EDDM BMEU requires a bulk-mailing permit with more flexibility.

The USPS estimates the delivery time for standard direct mail to be 3-10 days.

Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, and they don't guarantee it.

Anything delivered within 14 days is considered on time.

If your EDDM delivery takes longer than 14 days, it's considered late.

The USPS doesn't provide a specific delivery time for EDDM, so it's hard to predict exactly when your mail will arrive.

The US Postal Service offers a wealth of resources to help you navigate the world of direct mail marketing.

USPS Marketing Mail is a type of mail that's perfect for sending promotional materials like printed matter, flyers, and catalogs. You can also use it to send small parcels.

To qualify for USPS Marketing Mail, you'll need a Business Mail Permit and meet certain requirements, such as a minimum weight of one ounce and a maximum weight of 16 ounces.

Postage prices for USPS Marketing Mail vary depending on the type of mail, but they're often very low, making it a great choice for beginning mailers.

USPS Marketing Mail is not forwarded or returned unless requested with an ancillary service endorsement, which may incur additional fees or postage.

Here are some common types of mail that can be sent via USPS Marketing Mail:

USPS Marketing Mail is often the best choice for beginning mailers because postage prices are very low. This can be a huge cost savings, especially for businesses that regularly send promotional materials.

To qualify for USPS Marketing Mail, you'll need a Business Mail Permit and meet certain requirements, such as a minimum weight of one ounce and a maximum weight of 16 ounces.

USPS Marketing Mail is a good option to consider if you regularly send direct mail, such as flyers, circulars, newsletters, and catalogs. This type of mail can be highly effective because it allows businesses to reach out to potential customers in a personalized and targeted way.

To send USPS Marketing Mail, there is no single-piece postage, and prices vary depending on the type of mail. This means you can save even more money by sending large quantities of mail at once.

Here are some key benefits of using USPS Marketing Mail: