Direct Mail Buyers Guide
Plan a mailing campaign, select your audience, understand costs and measure results.
Direct Mail Resource Center
Explore practical guides for planning direct mail campaigns, preparing printed materials and understanding mailing options.
EDDM Printing Guide
Explore Every Door Direct Mail, postal routes, mailpiece eligibility and campaign preparation.
Direct Mail Postcard Printing Guide
Compare postcard formats, paper, artwork requirements and mailing considerations.
Before Ordering Direct Mail Printing
Confirm your target audience, mailing quantity, print specifications, postal eligibility and total campaign costs before placing an order.
USPS requirements and pricing can change. Review current specifications for your mailing method.
Direct Mail Printing FAQs
What is the difference between EDDM and targeted direct mail?
EDDM reaches addresses on selected eligible postal routes. Targeted direct mail can use a prepared mailing list to reach individually selected recipients.
How do I choose a direct mail postcard size?
Consider your message, design, printing budget and postal requirements. Confirm eligible dimensions before ordering.
Do I need a mailing list for EDDM?
Eligible EDDM campaigns generally use selected postal routes rather than a conventional individually addressed mailing list.
What artwork should I provide for postcard printing?
Provide files that meet your printer's requirements for dimensions, bleed, safe areas, resolution and color.
What costs should I compare?
Compare printing, postage, mailing preparation, list-related expenses and fulfillment to understand the total cost.
How long does a direct mail campaign take?
Allow time for planning, design, proof approval, printing and postal processing. Actual delivery timing can vary.
How can I measure responses from a mailing?
Use an offer code, campaign landing page, dedicated phone number or another appropriate response-tracking method.
What should I check before approving a print proof?
Check names, addresses, offer terms, dates, QR codes, contact details, image quality and layout orientation.
Eight-Step Direct Mail Campaign Checklist
Use this checklist before approving your next direct mail printing project.
- Define your campaign goal
Choose the customer action you want, such as a visit, appointment, quote request or purchase.
- Identify your audience
Decide whether selected postal routes or a targeted recipient list better matches your campaign.
- Choose the mailing format
Compare postcard dimensions, message space, artwork requirements and applicable postal eligibility.
- Build a complete budget
Account for printing, postage, design, lists, preparation and fulfillment where applicable.
- Create a clear offer
Explain the benefit, relevant terms, response method and any applicable expiration date.
- Prepare print-ready artwork
Check dimensions, bleed, safe areas, resolution and the printer's file requirements.
- Review and approve your proof
Check spelling, contact details, addresses, offer terms, QR codes and other important information.
- Measure campaign performance
Track responses using appropriate offer codes, landing pages or other attribution methods.
For additional preparation advice, explore the Direct Mail Buyers Guide, EDDM Printing Guide and Postcard Printing Guide.
Direct Mail Campaign Cost Calculator
Estimate your direct mail campaign budget using your own quantities and quoted costs. No prices are assumed.
Estimated total campaign cost:
Estimated cost per mailed piece:
This is a planning estimate, not a printing or postage quote. Actual costs depend on specifications, quantities, mailing requirements and vendor pricing.
Compare Five Direct Mail Printing Packages
Explore the available package formats and compare finished dimensions, artwork requirements, quantities and current pricing before ordering.
- Bronze — 4.25 × 11 in postcard
- Silver — 6.5 × 9 in postcard
- Gold — 8.5 × 11 in vertical bifold
- Platinum — 11 × 17 in bifold
- Diamond — 11 × 25.5 in flat; 11 × 12.75 in finished bifold
Mailpiece eligibility and postage depend on current USPS requirements. Confirm the finished dimensions and mailing method before placing an order.
EDDM Campaign Planning and Printing Resources
Use these practical guides to prepare artwork, plan a mailing campaign and understand printing and postage expenses.
EDDM Artwork Preparation Guide
Prepare artwork for Every Door Direct Mail printing. Learn how to check mailpiece dimensions, bleed, image quality, mailing requirements and final proofs.
EDDM Printing Costs vs. Postage: What to Budget For
Understand EDDM printing, postage, mailing preparation and other potential campaign costs before requesting a direct-mail quote.
EDDM Campaign Planning Guide
Plan an Every Door Direct Mail campaign from mailing-area selection and artwork preparation to printing, mailing coordination and response tracking.