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 i
Summary
- EDDM Retail postage is $0.260 per piece on the USPS price list effective July 12, 2026, with a 3.3 ounce weight cap per piece.
- All in, an Oppizi EDDM campaign runs about $0.45 per piece including printing, postage, and distribution, with no monthly platform fee.
- Addressed direct mail costs more, at $0.54 to $0.65 per piece with the data included.
- Volume is the biggest lever: roughly $0.50 per piece at 1,000 pieces, dropping to around $0.40 at 12,500.
- EDDM Retail runs from 200 to 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP Code, and each carrier route you select has to be covered at saturation level.
Last updated: September 2026
Thinking about using Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) but not sure how much it costs? You're not alone. Many businesses love 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.
The short answer: an Oppizi EDDM campaign runs about $0.45 per home all in, with printing, postage, and distribution included and no monthly platform fee. Postage alone is $0.260 per piece for EDDM Retail. Larger runs pull the all-in figure closer to $0.40; small runs sit nearer $0.52.
Let's break down the full 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. The total cost depends on three factors: postage, printing, and design. Addressed direct mail sits higher at $0.54 to $0.65 per piece with the data included. For the full picture across every format and mail class, see our guide to direct mail cost in the US.
Postage costs
Postage is the biggest single expense. USPS offers two tiers depending on how you drop off your mailing, priced on the list effective July 12, 2026:
- EDDM Retail: $0.260 per piece. No permit needed, drop off at your local Post Office. Best for small businesses sending 200 to 5,000 pieces per ZIP Code per day.
- Commercial saturation flats at the DDU (the EDDM BMEU route): $0.258 per piece. Requires a bulk mailing permit, and there's no per-day volume cap. Best for high-volume mailers.
Most small businesses use EDDM Retail. Every piece also has to weigh 3.3 ounces or less. USPS changes its prices periodically, so check the current price list before you lock a budget. The full rule set lives in our guide to USPS EDDM requirements.
Printing costs
Printing costs depend on paper stock, size, color, and quantity. A standard 6.25″ × 9″ postcard runs about $0.08 to $0.25 per piece at volume. Larger formats, heavier stock, and specialty finishes push that higher.
Ordering in bulk lowers the cost per piece significantly, and Oppizi's nationwide printer network prints within 50 miles of the delivery destination, which takes shipping out of the equation entirely.
Design costs
Design affects response rates. 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 by number of homes
Prefer to start with how many homes you want to reach? Here's what to budget:
| Homes reached | USPS postage (EDDM Retail) | Typical all-in with Oppizi | Cost per piece |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $130 | about $260 | $0.52 |
| 1,000 | $260 | about $500 | $0.50 |
| 2,500 | $650 | about $1,175 | $0.47 |
| 5,000 | $1,300 | about $2,150 | $0.43 |
| 10,000 | $2,600 | about $4,100 | $0.41 |
All-in figures cover standard postcard printing, postage, and distribution. Design is extra if you're not using a free tool. The per-piece rate falls as volume rises, which is the single biggest lever you control.
EDDM cost estimates based on budget
Prefer to start with a budget and work backwards? Here's a simple breakdown of what you can expect to spend. These estimates include printing, postage, and distribution, but not design fees unless mentioned.
$500 budget
- Quantity: about 1,000 standard (6.25″ × 9″) postcards
- Cost per piece: about $0.50
- 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 3,300 standard (6.25″ × 9″) postcards
- Cost per piece: about $0.45
- Tips: Consider hiring a freelance designer for a polished look. A well-designed postcard improves response rates by standing out in the mailbox.
$5,000 budget
- Quantity: about 12,500 standard (6.25″ × 9″) postcards
- Cost per piece: about $0.40
- Tips: Focus on ZIP Codes or carrier routes with demographics that match your ideal customer. Try A/B testing different designs to see what works best.
EDDM cost calculator
Want a figure for your own routes instead of a range? The EDDM cost calculator prices a campaign by format and volume in a few seconds, including postage, printing, and distribution. Enter a few basic details and you get an instant estimate, whether you're working with a small budget or planning a big campaign.
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:
- 1,000 mailers: about $0.50 per piece
- 5,000 mailers: about $0.43 per piece
- 12,500 mailers: about $0.40 per piece
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″ × 11″ and is great for small budgets.
- Oversized mailers: larger sizes (15″ × 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 and volume limits
- EDDM Retail runs from 200 to 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP Code. If you need a larger single-day drop, the BMEU route removes that ceiling.
- Each carrier route you select has to be covered at saturation level, so route choice sets your volume rather than the other way around.
How to save on EDDM without losing quality
You can reduce expenses and still make a strong impact with the right strategy. 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, so a simple, bold design often works best.
3. Target the right areas
- Focus on ZIP Codes or carrier routes with demographics that match 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 offers distinct 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:
- Pick your area: use the USPS EDDM tool to select neighborhoods, ZIP Codes, or carrier routes.
- Design your mailer: create a bold, eye-catching postcard with a clear message and call to action.
- Print and prepare: print in bulk to save money. Sort and bundle mailers by carrier route.
- 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 and 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.
Final thoughts
EDDM is a cost-effective way to reach local customers, and when it's tracked properly it delivers measurable ROI. By understanding the cost breakdown (postage, printing, design, and volume), you can make informed decisions about EDDM mailer size, format, and targeting that best fit your budget and marketing goals.
The key takeaway: most campaigns land around $0.45 per home all in, and the more you send, the lower that number gets. No mailing list, no data fees, no guesswork. Just pick your routes and go.
Want to get started? Oppizi handles design, printing, and delivery, so you can focus on growing your business. Launch your campaign today.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to send EDDM?
EDDM Retail postage is $0.260 per piece on the USPS price list effective July 12, 2026. Add printing, design, and distribution and an Oppizi campaign lands around $0.45 per piece all in, with no monthly fee. For reference, $500 covers about 1,000 postcards and $5,000 reaches about 12,500 households.
- Is EDDM worth it?
For local businesses, yes. EDDM is worth it when you want geographic reach without buying a list. You skip list costs entirely, the per-piece price falls as volume rises, and mail stays in the house far longer than an ad impression lasts in a feed.
- Can you do EDDM yourself?
Yes, but it takes work. You design the mailer, find a printer, bundle the pieces by carrier route, complete the USPS paperwork, and drop everything at the right post office. Plenty of small businesses do exactly that. Oppizi handles the same steps end to end if you would rather not.
- What is the success rate of EDDM?
The Data and Marketing Association puts direct mail response at 4.4% for house lists and 2.9% for prospect lists. EDDM is a saturation channel with no list behind it, so expect the lower end of that range. Bold design, a clear offer, and tight route selection move the number most.
- Is there a minimum quantity for EDDM?
Yes. EDDM Retail runs from 200 to 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP Code. Separately, every carrier route you pick has to be covered at saturation level: 90% or more of active residential addresses, or 75% or more of all active delivery addresses. You cannot cherry-pick houses within a route.
