Things You Need To Know About EDDM Postcard Sizes And other Requirements
As a business owner, you know that staying top of mind with your customers is key to driving sales and keeping your business afloat. And what better way to do that than with direct mail?
Every door direct mail can be a great marketing tool, but it can also be a bit confusing – especially when it comes to understanding USPS EDDM postcard dimensions requirements. The United States Postal Services EDDM manual tells all about the postcard and flyer size requirements and what you need to do to be in compliance.
But the problem with the USPS manual is that it is 1300 pages long and full of technical jargon that can be hard to understand!
Don’t worry, the printing pros at Catdi Printing have got you covered. In this blog post, I will break down the EDDM postcard dimensions requirements and other important things so that you can get your direct mail campaign up and running in no time. First, let’s talk about EDDM cards in general.
What is EDDM?
EDDM is short for Every Door Direct Mail. It is a direct mail marketing campaign that allows businesses to target specific neighborhoods with their marketing materials.
The way it works is that you select the carrier routes that you want to target and then the USPS will deliver mailpiece to every door on those routes.
The beauty of EDDM is that you don’t need mailing lists. You simply choose the carrier routes that you want to target and the USPS will deliver your postcards to every door on those routes. For example, you are a plumbing services provider in Los Angels, California and you want to target homeowners in a particular neighborhood who may need your services. With EDDM, you can target those homeowners specifically without having to purchase mailings. They will receive your marketing cards in their mailboxes.
It’s a great way to reach a large number of potential customers with your marketing message without having to spend a lot of money on postage.
Now let me tell you the effectiveness of USPS EDDM card campaigns, and is it worth spending your money on these direct mail marketing.
Are USPS EDDM postcard campaigns effective in this age of the internet?
In this era of Tiktok, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms, some people think that every door direct mail marketing is no longer effective. However, this is not true. Direct mail marketing is still one of the most effective marketing channels.
According to the data from DMA (DATA & Marketing Association UK), the response rate of direct mail marketing campaigns is 9 %, which is really good.
Moreover, with the help of EDDM mailing cards, you can target a specific audience that is not on social media with your marketing message. For example, according to Statista, there are 179.65 million users in the USA, while the total population of the USA is 332 million. So what about the remaining 152.4 million people? They are not on social media. However, you can reach them through these marketing campaigns.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about EDDM postal card size requirements.
What are the EDDM postcard size requirements?
EDDM postcards must meet certain requirements in order to be mailed at the Every Door Direct Mail® rate. If your postcards are not of the proper dimensions, they will be considered letters and will be charged at the First-Class Mail® letter rate.
Here are the EDDM card size requirements:
- Minimum Size: The postcard should not be smaller than 6.125″ in height or 11.5″ in width
- Maximum size: The height should not be greater than 12″ or the width should not be greater than 15″.
- Weight: The EDDM postcards should be under 3.03 ounces
- Thickness: they must be in a range of 0.007″ – 0.75″ thick.
So, the smallest EDDM card is 6.125″ x 11.5″, and the largest one is of 12″ x 15″ dimensions. The thickness of your postcards can range from 0.007″ to 0.75″. And finally, your postcards should weigh no more than 3.03 ounces.
Some popular EDDM postcards
Now let me tell you about some of the popular sizes for EDDM postcards that are within the guidelines set by the USPS.
Standard – (6.25″ x 9″ EDDM Postcard)
This is the most common and popular size for EDDM cards. It is a good size for fitting a lot of information on the card without it being too large or too small.
Large – (6.25″ x 11″ EDDM Postcard)
This is a good size for EDDM cards if you want to include coupons or other promotional materials.
Jumbo – (8.5″ x 11″ (EDDM Postcard)
The jumbo postcards are a great choice if you want to make a big impact with your direct mail campaign.
Over-sized – (12″ x 15″ EDDM Postcard)
This is the largest size of EDDM card that is eligible for EDDM rates. It is a good size for maps or other large items that you want to include on your card.
Now that you know all about the EDDM card requirements and some of the popular dimensions, you may be wondering what is the best option for your business.
What is the right size of EDDM postcard for your business?
The right size of post cards varies from business to business. It really depends on your business and what you want to include on your postcard. The following are some of the factors that decide the right size for the EDDM mailing card campaign for your business:
- The amount of information
- Budget for the EDDM campaign
- nature of the business
- The product or service
The amount of information
The first factor is the amount of information that you want to include on your postcard. If you have a lot of information that you want to include, then you will need to choose a larger size postcard.
Budget
The second factor is the budget for your direct mail campaign. The larger the postcard, the more it will weigh, and consequently, you will have to pay more price to USPS for your mailing campaign.
Nature of business
The nature of business is really crucial for deciding the right dimensions of the card. If you are a local business, then you may want to choose a smaller card so it will be less expensive to mail. On the other hand, if you are a national company, then you may want to choose a larger card so that it stands out from the rest of the mail.
The product or service
The fourth factor is the type of product or service that you are selling. If you are selling a high-end product, then you may want to choose a larger card so that it looks more luxurious. On the other hand, if you are selling a low-cost product, then you may want to choose a smaller card so that it looks more budget-friendly.
Irrespective of these factors, most people choose the standard size of 6.25″ x 9″ for their EDDM postcards as it is the most popular and affordable option. Therefore, if you are new to EDDM marketing then you can start with this size. This will allow you to measure the ROI of direct mail marketing at a minimum budget.
Let’s move on to the next section where we will discuss the uses, benefits and effectiveness of EDDM postcards.
What are some creative ways to use EDDM postcards?
EDDM cards are a versatile marketing tool that can be used in a variety of ways. The following are some of the creative ways to use EDDM postcards for your business:
1. Appointment reminder cards – You can use EDDM cards as appointment reminder cards for your customers. This is a great way to ensure that your customers don’t forget their appointment with you.
2. Thank you cards – EDDM cards can also be used to send a thank you message to your customers.
3. Loyalty cards – You can use EDDM cards as loyalty cards for your customers. This is a great way to encourage your customers to keep coming back to your business.
4. Free samples and coupons – Free samples and coupons are a great way to attract potential clients and convert them into loyal customers. You can use EDDM cards to send free samples and coupons to your potential clients.
5. Announcement cards – Many businesses and companies use these postcards as announcement cards to inform their customers about the new product launch, special offers, sales and discounts. This is a great way to spread the news to the world.
These are some of the creative ways to use EDDM postcards for .
The key takeaway
So, what’s the key takeaway?
Well, if you’re looking for an affordable and versatile marketing tool that can be used in a variety of ways, EDDM postcards might just be the answer. To choose the best size for your business, it is advisable to consider the factors like the amount of information, budget, type of business, product or service, etc. If you’re new to EDDM marketing, then the standard size of 6.25″ x 9″ is a great place to start. They’re perfect for businesses and companies of all sizes and can be used to achieve a wide range of marketing goals. So why not give them a try?
FAQs
How much do EDDM postcards cost?
EDDM postcards are very affordable and can be purchased for as little as $0.19 per piece.
Do I need any mailing permits for EDDM?
No, you do not need any permits for EDDM.
Can EDDM be used for political campaigns?
Yes, EDDM can be used for political campaigns. However, there are some restrictions on what type of political content can be included on the postcards. For more information, please visit the USPS website.
How often can I mail with EDDM?
There is no limit to how often you can mail with EDDM. However, we recommend that you mail at least once per month to maintain a consistent presence in your customers’ mailbox.
What is the turnaround time for EDDM postcards?
The turnaround time for EDDM postcards is typically 2-3 days. However, depending on the printshop you use and the complexity of your design, it may take longer.
Do I need to design my own EDDM postcards?
No, you do not need to design your own EDDM postcards. However, we recommend that you use a professional designer to create your postcards. This will ensure that your postcards are high-quality and eye-catching.
What is the best way to track my results?
The best way to track your results is to include a unique offer or call to action on your EDDM postcards. This will allow you to track how many people respond to your offer.
