Things You Need To Know About USPS EDDM Postcard Sizes And other Requirements

Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Carlos Alonso

As a business owner, you know that staying top of mind with your customers is critical to driving sales and keeping your business afloat. And what better way to do that than with an EDDM Postcard?

But…. knowing the right size and the sizing rules of EDDM is an essential first step. It can be a little confusing with all the specific rules, but we break down what you need to know to navigate the EDDM size requirements.

Every-door direct mail can be a great marketing tool, but it can also be a bit confusing—especially when understanding the USPS EDDM postcard dimensions requirements. The United States Postal Services EDDM manual explains the postcard and flyer size requirements and what you need to do to comply.

However, the problem with the USPS EDDM manual is that it is 1300 pages long and full of technical jargon, which can be hard to understand!!

Don’t’ worry—the printing pros at Catdi Printing have you covered. In this blog post, I will break down the EDDM postcard dimensions requirements and other essentials so that you can quickly get your direct mail campaign up and running. First, let’s’ talk about EDDM cards in general.

What Exactly is EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)?

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.

It works by selecting the carrier routes you want to target. The USPS then delivers mailpieces to every door on those routes.

The beauty of EDDM is that you don’t’ need mailing lists. You choose the carrier routes you want to target, and the USPS will deliver your postcards to every door. For example, you are a plumbing services provider in Los Angeles, 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 purchasing mailings. They will receive your marketing cards in their mailboxes. With postage rates hovering around only $.20 per card, it has quickly become a very popular program.

It’s’ a great way to reach many potential customers with your marketing message without spending much money on postage.

Now let me tell you the effectiveness of USPS EDDM card campaigns and whether it is worth spending your money on 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 direct mail marketing is no longer effective; it is! 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 good.

Moreover, with the help of EDDM mailing cards, you can target a specific audience that is off social media with your marketing message. For example, according to Statista, there are 179.65 million users in the USA, while the total population 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 let’s’ discuss the size of the EDDM postal card requirements.

Understanding the Basics of Every Door Direct Mail Size

To ensure a successful Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign, it is important to understand the basics of EDDM sizes and ensure each mail piece adheres to USPS guidelines. The size of your mailpieces significantly impacts factors such as postage rates, campaign costs, and visibility. By selecting the suitable EDDM sizes, you can optimize your campaign and achieve the desired results.

Importance of Selecting the Right EDDM Sizes

Choosing the right EDDM sizes is crucial for several reasons, including compliance with USPS regulations and ensuring your mail piece meets certain criteria. First, it ensures that your mailpieces meet the specifications outlined in the USPS Domestic Mail Manual and EDDM requirements. Adhering to these guidelines is necessary to qualify for EDDM rates and avoid any issues at the post office. Second, selecting optimal mailpiece dimensions with square corners allows you to maximize the impact of your direct mail campaign and capture the attention of your target audience.

Essential Size Requirements for EDDM Postcards, as a form of direct mail pieces for EDDM®, require careful consideration of size to ensure they meet USPS requirements.

Understanding the key size requirements is crucial for a successful campaign when it comes to Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards. These requirements determine eligibility for EDDM rates and ensure that USPSUSPS can efficiently process your mailpieces.

Minimum and Maximum Physical Dimensions

The USPS has specific requirements for the minimum and maximum physical dimensions of EDDM postcards. These guidelines ensure that the postcards can be processed and delivered efficiently. Here are the size restrictions:

EDDM postcards must fall within these length and height ranges to meet the USPS size requirements. It is important to note that the dimensions of EDDM postcards should not exceed the maximum size restrictions to ensure proper processing and delivery.

Weight and Thickness Guidelines

In addition to the physical dimensions, EDDM postcards must also meet weight and thickness guidelines set by USPS. These guidelines ensure that the postcards can be handled efficiently during mailing. Here are the weight and thickness requirements:

• The weight of the EDDM postcards must be between 0.007 ounces (0.198 grams) and 3.3 ounces (93.5 grams).
• The thickness of the EDDM postcards must be between 0.007 inches (0.178 mm) and 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), adhering to the minimum and maximum EDDM thickness guidelines.

Adhering to these weight and thickness guidelines ensures that your EDDM postcards meet the USPS requirements and avoid potential issues during the mailing process.

It is crucial to carefully consider the size, weight, and thickness of your EDDM postcards to ensure compliance with USPS regulations. By following these guidelines, you can optimize your EDDM campaign and increase the chances of effectively reaching your target audience.

Unique Advantages of Using Specific Every Door Direct Mail Sizes

Rationale Behind EDDM Size Recommendations

Different Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) sizes offer unique advantages depending on your marketing objectives. Each size has been carefully recommended based on its ability to maximize visual impact and convey information effectively, ensuring they meet USPS EDDM size requirements. Understanding the benefits of specific sizes can help you make informed decisions for your direct mail campaign, ensuring your message reaches your target audience with maximum impact.

When determining the ideal size for your EDDM mailpiece, it’s essential to consider factors such as the type of message you want to convey, the amount of information you wish to include, and the overall design and layout of your mailpiece. The goal is to choose a size that not only meets USPS EDDM size requirements but also aligns with your marketing goals and enhances the effectiveness of your campaign.

Here are some key advantages of using specific EDDM sizes:

1. Standard EDDM Sizes: These sizes (such as  6.25″ x 9″ and 6″ x 11″) are widely recognized and commonly used. They offer a balance between cost-effectiveness, readability, and visual impact. Standard sizes allow you to easily design your mailpieces, utilize pre-designed templates, and ensure efficient production and distribution.
2. Optimal Mailpiece Dimensions: There are specific EDDM sizes (such as 8.5″ x 11″ and 11″ x 17″) that provide ample space for delivering detailed information, such as product catalogs, brochures, or menus. These larger sizes allow you to showcase your products or services more effectively while complying with USPS guidelines.
3. EDDM Flyer Dimensions: Flyers come in various sizes, such as 6.5″ x 8.5″ and 8.5″ x 14″. These sizes allow you to strike a balance between compactness and the ability to accommodate essential information or eye-catching visuals. They are ideal for promoting events, special offers, or limited-time sales.
4. EDDM Brochure Size Requirements: A Complete Guide Brochures offer a versatile format for sharing detailed information about your business or organization. Optimal EDDM brochure sizes, such as  11″ x 17″ folded to 8.5″ x 11″, provide ample space for showcasing your products, services, or causes while providing a visually pleasing layout.

The rationale behind EDDM size recommendations revolves around balancing USPS guidelines and achieving marketing goals. Strove for maximum dimensions that make a statement. SIt’selecting a size that allows you to effectively communicate your message, engage your target audience, and differentiate yourself from competitors is essential.

By carefully considering the unique advantages of each EDDM size and understanding the rationale behind the size recommendations, you can optimize the effectiveness of your direct mail campaign and

Most Popular EDDM Dimensions for Businesses

Effect of Size on Postage Rates and Campaign Costs

The size of your Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards or mailpieces can significantly impact your postage rates and overall campaign costs. It’s essential to carefully consider the dimensions of your EDDM materials to optimize your budget and maximize your return on investment by adhering to the minimum size and maximum size guidelines.

When planning your EDDM campaign, remember that larger mailpieces may incur higher postage rates than smaller ones. The United States Postal Service (USPS) determines postage rates based on the mailpiece’s weight and size. Therefore, larger dimensions can increase costs for your direct mail campaign, especially if the mail piece is oversized.

On the other hand, smaller mailpieces can offer potential cost savings in terms of postage rates, fitting within eddm size requirements. If reaching a smaller target audience is sufficient for your marketing goals, downsizing your EDDM postcards or mailpieces could be a strategic choice to reduce campaign costs without exceeding a radius of interest.

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 size suits EDDM cards, including coupons or other promotional materials.

Jumbo – (8.5″ x 11″ (EDDM Postcard)

The jumbo postcards are a great choice if you want to impact your direct mail campaign significantly.

Over-sized – (12″ x 15″ EDDM Postcard)

Why Larger Postcards May Offer Better Visibility

While more oversized postcards may come with a higher price tag in terms of postage rates, they often offer better visibility and have the potential to capture more attention from recipients. Their larger size makes them stand out in a mailbox and are more likely to be noticed than smaller mailpieces.

Moreover, oversized postcards provide more space for compelling designs, impactful visuals, and informative content, essentially being popular EDDM postcard sizes that balance visibility and USPS compliance. They allow businesses to showcase their products or services in a visually appealing and informative way, making a lasting impression on the recipients with Every Door Direct Mail®, meeting minimum and maximum EDDM specifications.

When crafting your EDDM campaign, consider the benefits of more oversized postcards regarding visibility and impact. While they may require a higher investment, the increased visibility and opportunity for engagement can deliver a higher return on your marketing efforts.

At Catdi Printing, we understand the importance of selecting suitable EDDM sizes for your campaign. Our knowledgeable team can help you choose the optimal mailpiece dimensions that align with your business goals. Contact us today to get started!

Unique Advantages of Using Specific Every Door Direct Mail Sizes

Each specific Every Door Direct Mail size offers unique advantages businesses can leverage to achieve their marketing goals. Understanding the rationale behind EDDM size recommendations can help companies choose the sizes that align with their objectives, making EDDM marketing more effective. Whether it’s the optimal mailpiece dimensions for flyers, postcards, or brochures, considering the unique advantages of specific EDDM sizes can enhance the effectiveness of the direct mail campaign.

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 design ideas 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 postcards 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 .

Ensuring Compliance with the USPS EDDM Sizing Guide

Complying with the USPS EDDM sizing guide is essential to qualify for EDDM rates and avoid any issues with mailpiece acceptance. To ensure that your EDDM campaign meets the requirements, it is crucial to understand the common pitfalls to avoid in EDDM size selection and the impact of non-standard sizes on your campaign, highlighting why standard postcard dimensions are preferred. Also don’t forget that even with the size requirements you need to add the correct indicia. At Catdi Printing, we’ll ensure your piece is sized correctly and that you won’tt have any issues.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in EDDM Size Selection

When selecting EDDM sizes, businesses often make common mistakes that can hinder the success of their campaigns. Some of these pitfalls include not adhering to the maximum or minimum size requirements for their EDDM mail pieces.

• Choosing sizes that do not meet the minimum or maximum physical dimensions specified by USPS EDDM requirements can lead to your mailer being rejected, which underscores the importance of adhering to EDDM size requirements.
• Using non-standard sizes that may result in higher postage rates or printing costs
• Disregarding the restrictions on EDDM postcard sizes, leading to non-compliance

Avoiding these pitfalls is crucial to ensure that your EDDM campaign aligns with USPS guidelines and maximizes effectiveness.

Strategic Sizing for Different Types of Direct Mail Campaigns

Strategic sizing is essential for different direct mail campaigns, including EDDM retail and EDDM mailer initiatives, to ensure each piece meets the minimum and maximum size requirements. For example, if you’re promoting a grand opening or a special event, more oversized postcards qualifying for an EDDM can have a more significant impact and grab the attention of potential customers. On the other hand, if you’re sending personalized offers or invitations, smaller sizes may be more appropriate to create a sense of exclusivity and importance.

At Catdi Printing, we understand the importance of choosing the right EDDM size to reflect your business goals. Our team of experts can guide you in selecting the optimal dimensions that align with your campaign objectives, ensuring maximum effectiveness and ROI. With our comprehensive printing services, your Every Door Direct Mail campaign will make a lasting impression.