Understanding EDDM cost: A complete pricing guide

Thinking about using Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) but not sure how much it costs? You’re not alone. Many businesses like direct mail marketing because it reaches a broad audience without needing a mailing list. But before you dive in, it's important to know the costs to see if it’s worth it for you.

Let’s break down the pricing, what affects the cost, and how to make the most of your budget. By the end, you’ll know if EDDM is a good fit and how to get the best results.

How much does EDDM cost?

EDDM is a budget-friendly way to send mail through USPS. It lets you reach every address in a chosen area without paying for a mailing list. But the total cost depends on a few factors: postage, printing, and design. For a full breakdown of EDDM prices, check out our guide to EDDM cost video below:

Postage costs

Postage is the biggest expense. Here’s what USPS charges per piece:

• EDDM Retail® USPS Marketing Flats – $0.223 delivered at the DDU level
• EDDM BMEU USPS Marketing Mail Flats – $0.219 delivered at the DDU level

USPS rates can change, so check their site for the latest prices before you plan your campaign.

Printing costs

Printing costs depend on size, design, and how many mailers you print. While costs can vary depending on your provider, ordering in bulk usually lowers the price per piece.

Design costs

Good design makes a difference. While it’s not required, eye-catching mailers get better results. Oppizi’s free design tool helps you create professional postcards without spending extra.

EDDM cost estimates based on budget

Not sure how much to budget for your Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign? Here’s a simple breakdown of what you can expect to spend. These estimates include printing and postage but not design fees unless mentioned.

$500 budget

• Quantity: About 950 standard (6.25” x 9”) postcards
• Cost per piece: $0.53
• Tips: Use free design tools like Oppizi’s flyer builder to save money. Keep your design bold and your call to action clear to get the best results.

$1,500 budget

• Quantity: About 3,250 standard (6.25” x 9”) postcards
• Cost per piece: $0.460
• Tips: Consider hiring a freelance designer for a polished look. A well-designed postcard can boost response rates.

$5,000 budget

• Quantity: 13,300 standard (6.25” x 9”) postcards or 12,200 jumbo (8.25” x 11”) postcards
• Cost per piece: $0.37–$0.41
• Expected results: Could generate 200–500 leads, depending on design, message, and targeting.
• Tips: Focus on specific zip codes or carrier routes for better results. Try A/B testing different designs to see what works best.

EDDM cost calculator

Planning an Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign? This EDDM cost calculator makes it easy to budget and get the best value. Simply enter a few basic details and get an instant cost estimate, including postage, printing, and distribution. Whether you’re working with a small budget or planning a big campaign, this tool helps you spend wisely.

Select your campaign specifics

Format

Small - 4.25 x 11

Best seller - 6.25 x 9

Large - 6.25 x 11

Jumbo - 8.25 x 11

Oversized - 15 x 12

Campaign volume

15,000

addresses

1k

5k

10k

15k

20k

25k

30k

Your rate with Oppizi EDDM

$0

Save up to $0

From 7cts/piece

Oppizi offers the best value for money direct mail software available in the U.S.

24h turnaround

Your mailers can be printed and delivered in 24 hours, if requested.

Scan tracking

Track the efficiency of your campaigns per carrier routes and optimize as needed.

Delivery tracking

Your mailers will be delivered directly to the DDU responsible for the final dispatch.

Dashboards

Monitor your campaign using our dashboards and make the right decisions for your business.

Create campaign

Your rate with other vendors

Growmail

$0

• Postal route selector tool
• Design tool
• 24-hour turnaround
• Printing within 50 miles to destination
• Deliverability tracking
• Campaign dashboard

Taradel

$0

• Postal route selector tool
• Design tool
• 24-hour turnaround
• Printing within 50 miles to destination
• Deliverability tracking
• Campaign dashboard

Click2mail

$0

• Postal route selector tool
• Design tool
• 24-hour turnaround
• Printing within 50 miles to destination
• Deliverability tracking
• Campaign dashboard

Every Door Direct Mail

$0

• Postal route selector tool
• Design tool
• 24-hour turnaround
• Printing within 50 miles to destination
• Deliverability tracking
• Campaign dashboard

Amazing Mail

$0

• Postal route selector tool
• Design tool
• 24-hour turnaround
• Printing within 50 miles to destination
• Deliverability tracking
• Campaign dashboard

*Competitor prices as of September 2024.

Why sending more saves money

One of the best things about EDDM is that the more you send, the less you pay per piece.

For example:

• 500 mailers = About $0.53 per piece
• 5,000 mailers = About $0.41 per piece (or less)

Larger campaigns bring bigger savings. Plan ahead and maximize your mailing volume to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

What factors affect EDDM pricing?

The cost of an Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign depends on a few things. Knowing what affects the price can help you get the most for your money.

1. How many mailers you send

Ordering in bulk lowers the cost per piece. The more you send, the more you save.

2. Mailer size and format

• Postcards – The cheapest option is 4.25” x 11” and is great for small budgets.
• Oversized mailers – Larger sizes (15” x 12”) cost more, but stand out in the mailbox.
• Indicia design – A properly designed indicia (postage marking) helps meet USPS rules and avoid extra fees.

3. Design and templates

• Free tools like Oppizi’s flyer builder help you create professional mailers.
• Keeping your design consistent builds trust and makes your brand easier to recognize.

4. Printing

• Choose a reliable printer for high-quality results.
• A local printer can save you money on shipping and speed up delivery.

5. Postage costs

• USPS offers bulk postage discounts that can lower your mailing costs.

How to save on EDDM without losing quality

Cutting costs doesn’t mean cutting corners. With the right strategy, you can keep expenses low while still making a strong impact on your audience. Here’s how:

1. Smart printing choices

• Choose an affordable paper stock that maintains a professional look and feel. You don’t need the highest-end materials to make a great impression.
• Print EDDM mailers in bulk to take advantage of volume discounts. Many printers offer significant savings when you increase your order size.
• Print your mailers close to their final destination to eliminate unnecessary expenses tied to long-distance delivery. Oppizi’s nationwide printer network ensures your EDDM mailers are printed within 50 miles of their destination.

2. Simple, effective design

• Use free or low-cost design tools like Canva or Adobe Express to create professional-looking mailers without the need for expensive designers. Oppizi offers a built-in flyer builder tool to make the postcard design process easy.
• Keep your design clean and easy to read—cluttered flyers can dilute your message and reduce engagement. A simple, bold design often works best.

3. Target the right areas

• Focus on high-value zip codes or carrier routes that align with your ideal customer base. Targeting ensures your investment reaches the right audience.
• Use Oppizi’s EDDM audience mapping tool to refine your selections and avoid wasted distribution in less relevant areas.

By optimizing these key areas, you can maximize your EDDM campaign’s effectiveness without overspending.

How EDDM compares to other marketing methods

EDDM has some big advantages over other marketing strategies:

• Direct mail – No mailing list needed with EDDM, which saves time and money.
• Digital marketing – EDDM creates a physical touchpoint that works alongside online ads.
• Flyers and business cards – EDDM reaches more people for a lower cost per piece.

How does EDDM work?

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) lets you send mailers to every home or business in a chosen area—no mailing list needed. Here’s how it works:

1. Pick your area – Use the USPS EDDM tool to select neighborhoods, zip codes, or carrier routes.
2. Design your mailer – Create a bold, eye-catching postcard with a clear message and call to action.
3. Print & prepare – Print in bulk to save money. Sort and bundle mailers by carrier route.
4. Drop off at USPS – Bring your sorted mailers to the local post office for distribution.

You can do this yourself, but it’s much easier with Oppizi. We handle the entire process—so you don’t have to deal with designers, printers, or USPS paperwork.

With Oppizi, you get:

• Easy design tools – Customizable templates for professional-looking mailers.
• Full-service campaign management – We take care of printing, sorting, and mailing.
• Tracking & analytics – See where your mailers go and how they perform.

EDDM works because it’s simple, local, and cost-effective. Oppizi makes it even easier. Start your campaign today!

EDDM FAQs: Your questions answered

Thinking about using Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)? Here are answers to common questions about cost, effectiveness, and how it works.

How much does it cost to send EDDM?

EDDM pricing depends on postage, printing, design, and distribution. Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Postage: $0.210 per piece for standard mailers
• Printing: Bulk printing can lower cost per piece.
• Design: Free tools like Oppizi’s flyer builder can help, or you can hire a designer for a small fee.

For reference, $500 covers about 950 postcards, while $5,000 can reach 13,300 households.

Is EDDM worth it?

For local businesses, yes EDDM is absolutely worth it. EDDM is a budget-friendly way to reach people in your area. Here’s why:

• No mailing lists needed – Send mailers to every home in your target area.
• Scalable – The more you send, the lower the cost per piece.
• Tangible impact – People hold onto mail longer than they keep online ads.
• Targeted reach – Focus on specific neighborhoods or zip codes.

It’s great for brand awareness, lead generation, and customer engagement—without the high costs of traditional direct mail.

Can you do EDDM yourself?

Yes, but it takes some work. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Design your mailer – Use a free tool like Oppizi’s flyer builder or hire a designer.
2. Find a printer – Choose a local option to save on shipping.
3. Sort & drop off mailers – Bundle by carrier route and bring them to the post office.

If that sounds like time and effort, Oppizi can handle it all for you—from design to delivery.

What is the success rate of EDDM?

Results vary, but here’s what to expect:

• Response rate: 1–2% (higher than many digital ads)
• Leads: A $5,000 campaign may bring in anywhere between 200–500 leads
• Brand awareness: Even if people don’t respond right away, they’ll remember your business

Want better results? Use bold designs, clear messaging, and target the right areas.

Is there a minimum quantity for EDDM?

Yes, USPS requires at least 200 mailers per carrier route. But you can send as few or as many as you want across different routes. If you're just starting, test a small area first, then scale up once you see what works.

Final thoughts

EDDM is a great way to reach local customers. When done right, it’s cost-effective and gets real results. By analyzing different cost scenarios and comparing them with competitors, you can make informed decisions about EDDM mailer size, design, printing, and mailing options that best fit your budget and marketing goals.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to evaluate if EDDM is worth the cost for your specific business and marketing objectives. Consider the potential reach, targeting capabilities, and cost-effectiveness compared to other marketing methods to make an informed decision.

Want to get started? Oppizi makes it simple. We handle design, printing, and delivery—so you can focus on growing your business. Launch your campaign today!