
Getting started with USPS Marketing Mail Services is easier than you think. You can begin by understanding the different types of Marketing Mail, including Standard Mail and Non-Profit Mail.
To qualify for Marketing Mail, your mailpiece must meet specific size and content requirements. For example, Standard Mail must be at least 3.5 inches tall, 5 inches wide, and weigh no more than 3.3 ounces.
Before sending out your mail, you'll need to prepare it according to USPS guidelines. This includes ensuring that your mailpiece has the correct postage, address, and barcodes.
To get started with USPS Marketing Mail Services, you can visit the USPS website or contact your local post office for more information.
Marketing Options
Marketing Options are plentiful with the USPS. You can create an EDDM mailing yourself, which is a great way to save costs and maintain control over the process.
The USPS offers resources to help with any part of the mail design, printing, preparation, and drop-off process, including affiliate vendors and the USPS Printer Directory. This can be a huge help if you're not familiar with the process or need some extra support.

You can find a local printer in the USPS Printer Directory to help with printing and preparation. This can be especially helpful if you're short on time or resources.
The USPS Printer Directory is a valuable resource that can connect you with local printers who can help with your EDDM mailing needs.
Understanding Pricing
Prices for USPS Marketing Mail Flats are quite affordable. You can send EDDM flyers and postcards for as low as $0.223 per piece.
To pay for your mailing, you'll need a credit or debit card. This will generate a proof of payment receipt that you'll need to present at the Post Office.
If you're sending Standard Mail, be aware that it's called "bulk mail" for a reason - you'll need a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds to qualify for this pricing.
The cost of Standard or Marketing Mail depends on various factors, including weight, size, and ZIP codes.
Here's a quick breakdown of the current prices for EDDM Retail and BMEU USPS Marketing Mail Flats:
- EDDM Retail USPS Marketing Flats: $0.223 per piece
- EDDM BMEU USPS Marketing Mail Flats: as low as $0.219 per piece
Creating a Retail List
To create a retail list for EDDM, start by choosing the neighborhoods where your customers live using the EDDM Online Tool. This tool allows you to target customers by specific demographics such as age, household size, and income.
You can also use the tool to identify areas with high potential for your business. For example, if you're a local coffee shop, you might target neighborhoods with a high concentration of offices or young professionals.
To get started, download a ready-to-use EDDM Retail Indicia, which is available for free.
Creating a Retail List
To create a retail list for your EDDM mailing, you'll need to choose neighborhoods where your customers live using the EDDM Online Tool. This tool allows you to target customers by specific demographics such as age, household size, and income.
You can use the tool to select the neighborhoods that best match your target audience.
The EDDM Online Tool will help you create a list of customers in those neighborhoods.
Retail Flats

Retail Flats are a great way to reach your customers with targeted marketing mail. You can use the EDDM Online Tool to choose the neighborhoods where your customers live and target them by demographics such as age, household size, and income.
To ensure your mailpiece meets the requirements, use the Mailpiece Size Checker in the EDDM Online Tool. You can also refer to the Physical Standards for Flats for detailed size criteria and measurements.
Mailpieces for Retail Flats are simply addressed to "Postal Customer" and will be delivered to every address on your selected routes.
Here's a quick rundown of the prices for EDDM Retail Flats:
To pay for your EDDM Retail Flats, you can use a credit or debit card. Your order documentation will include a proof of payment receipt, which you'll need to present when you deliver your mailing to the Post Office.
Addressing and Shipping
When preparing your EDDM mailing, it's essential to get the addressing and shipping right. The EDDM Retail Indicia, a postage payment mark, must be included above and to the right of the address block on every mailpiece.

The EDDM Retail Indicia has specific size and font requirements: it must be larger than 0.5" x 0.5" and have a font size of at least 4 points in all caps. You'll also need to leave 1/8" of space around the top and right edge.
To ship your EDDM mailing to a distant ZIP Code, you'll need to use Priority Mail service and send it to the Postmaster for that neighborhood route. This involves placing your mailing bundles with attached facing slips in a box and addressing the box to "Postmaster" at the Post Office you're shipping to.
Here's a summary of the shipping steps:
Address Formatting
Address formatting is a crucial step in ensuring your mailpieces are properly prepared for shipping.
Use the EDDM Retail Indicia postage payment mark, which takes the place of a regular postage stamp or meter stamp, on every EDDM mailpiece.
The EDDM Retail Indicia must be placed above and to the right of the address block.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Post Mail Address Format

It doesn't have a specific size requirement, but it must be larger than 0.5" x 0.5".
The type font must be in all caps and at least a 4 point size.
Here are the key placement guidelines for the EDDM Retail Indicia:
Leave 1/8" of space around the top and right edge of the EDDM Retail Indicia.
Shipping Your
Shipping your EDDM mailing requires some extra steps, but don't worry, it's straightforward. You can send your mailing to a distant ZIP Code by using Priority Mail service to the Postmaster for that neighborhood route.
Place your mailing bundles with attached facing slips in a box, and order USPS Shipping Boxes if you don't have any. You'll also need to include an envelope with the Postmaster's address and a few labels.
The Postmaster's address is quite specific: POSTMASTER, CITY, ST 22222. Make sure to write "Every Door Direct Mail–Retail" and "Open Immediately" on each box.
Label and number the boxes, and for multiple boxes, number them as "1 of X", with "X" being the total number of boxes. For example, "1 of 5" or "2 of 5".
Recommended read: Usps Post Office Box Street Address
Targeting and Advertising
You can use the Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Online Tool to map ZIP Code(s) and neighborhoods, even filter by age, income, or household size using U.S. Census data.
The EDDM Online Tool helps you send postcards, menus, and flyers to the right customers, making it a great option for promoting your small business in your local community.
You can pay for your EDDM mailing by cash, credit/debit card, or check when you deliver it to the Post Office.
The USPS offers a variety of mail service classes and postage rates based on mailpiece format and content, mailing volume, and delivery options, which can help you save money on marketing campaigns.
USPS third-party direct mail marketing specialists can help you format, design, print, and send the perfect advertising campaign.
Here are some ways to get started with Every Door Direct Mail:
- Use the EDDM Online Tool to map your target audience.
- Choose your mailpiece format and content.
- Contact printers and mail service providers for advice.
- Get help from USPS third-party direct mail marketing specialists.
Non-Profit and Qualifications
Non-profit organizations can mail at special rates, but only if they meet certain requirements. To qualify, they must complete USPS Form 3624.
You can't mail political candidates, local committees, or campaigns at Non-Profit Marketing Mail rates - they must pay commercial rates. Non-profit Marketing Mail has the same requirements as commercial, except for some restrictions on content and markings.
To mail at Non-Profit Marketing Mail rates, your organization must display its name and address prominently. You can mail items like holiday mailings, end-of-year sales, and special fundraising appeals.
What Is Non-Profit?
Non-profit organizations can mail at special rates, but only if they fall under specific categories. These categories include agricultural, philanthropic, educational, scientific, labor, religious, fraternal, qualified political committees, veterans, and local or state voter registration officials.
To qualify, non-profits need to acquire a mailing permit from the Post Office, which requires filling out PS form 3624 available on the USPS website. This form must be signed by the treasurer, president, or someone in authority in the non-profit organization.
Non-profits must also provide evidence that they are eligible and provide documents stating their primary motive.
For your interest: Us Post Office Hold Mail Form Online

The same guidelines and specifications for sending Nonprofit Marketing Mail remain the same as regular Marketing Mail, except for restrictions on some content and markings showing non-profit status. Organization name and address must be prominently displayed.
Here are the eligible categories of non-profits:
- Agricultural
- Philanthropic
- Educational
- Scientific
- Labor
- Religious
- Fraternal
- Qualified political committees
- Veterans
- Local or state voter registration officials
Qualifications
To qualify for USPS Marketing Mail, you'll need to meet some basic requirements. You'll need to prepare at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail.
The USPS doesn't have minimum size requirements, but there is a maximum weight limit of 16 ounces. This means you can mail small parcels, but be aware that any items weighing more than 16 ounces will incur additional charges.
You can mail letters, large envelopes or flats, and parcels through Marketing Mail. Postcards, however, can be mailed under the letters category as there is no separate price range for them.
Here are the maximum size restrictions for different envelope types:
- Letter-sized items: not exceeding 3.5 ounces
- Nonmachinable and nonautomation letters: not exceeding 4 ounces
- Flats: not exceeding 3.3 ounces
If your items weigh more than these limits, you'll be subject to added charges for every extra pound. Remember that all USPS Marketing Mail costs vary based on the weight of your mail items.
Digital and Online Tools
The EDDM online tool is a powerful resource for targeted marketing. To get started, simply search for a full address, city/state, or ZIP Code.
You can then click "Show Table" to see details on neighborhood routes. This will give you a better understanding of the areas you can reach with your marketing mail.
To narrow down your target audience, use the categories at the top of the tool, which include Route, Residential, Total, Age, Size, Income, and Cost.
Postgrid's Direct Services
PostGrid's Direct Services can make sending USPS Marketing Mail a breeze, especially for those who don't have the time or resources to prepare bulk mail.
You can use PostGrid's direct mail API to get a permit and prepare your items according to the guidelines, making the process much more convenient.
PostGrid can also help you create and print your items, assisting you throughout the process.
Their API is an all-in-one solution for offline mailing needs, from presorting items to tracking them.
A different take: Post Office Direct Mail
Start Online Tool

To get started with online tools, let's begin with the EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) online tool. To access it, simply search for a full address, city/state, or ZIP Code.
You can then click Show Table to see details on the neighborhood routes. This will help you narrow down your targeted audience using the categories at the top: Route, Residential, Total, Age, Size, Income, and Cost.
To further refine your search, select the final neighborhood(s) you'd like to use. You can choose multiple routes for a single mailing.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the EDDM online tool:
- Search for a full address, city/state, or ZIP Code.
- Click Show Table to see details on the neighborhood routes.
- Narrow and filter your targeted audience using the categories at the top: Route, Residential, Total, Age, Size, Income, and Cost.
- Select the final neighborhood(s) you'd like to use.
- Review your selections under your Order Summary then save or continue on in the process.
Flow Chart Description
The USPS marketing mail eligibility flow chart is a helpful tool for determining whether a mailpiece is eligible for marketing mail. It consists of a total of 7 boxes to define the process.
The process starts with the user examining the mailpiece and answering yes or no questions to move through the diagram. The user begins by checking if the mailpiece is typewritten or handwritten.

If the mailpiece is typewritten or handwritten, it's assumed to be First Class Mail. However, if it's not, the user moves on to the next question.
The user then checks if the mailpiece contains personal information. If it doesn't, it's considered Marketing Mail. This is based on specific standards, including PS-026, PS-159, PS-317, PS-320, and PS-323.
If the mailpiece does contain personal information, the user checks if there are at least 200 pieces with the same information in the overall mailing. If there are, it's Marketing Mail.
Insights
USPS offers a variety of services that can help you reach your target audience. You can save money by using USPS's discounted rates for bulk mail.
With USPS, you can be more efficient by using their online tools to track and manage your mail. This can save you time and reduce errors.
USPS has a dedicated team that provides expert advice on mailing and shipping. They can help you create a mailing strategy that suits your business needs.
USPS Delivers offers a range of services that can help you grow your business. From online shipping labels to package tracking, they have everything you need to succeed.
Differences and Choices

The USPS offers three types of marketing mail: Standard Mail, Nonprofit Mail, and First-Class Mail.
Each type of marketing mail has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Standard Mail is the most cost-effective option, with a lower postage rate, but it also takes longer to reach its destination.
Nonprofit Mail is a great option for organizations with 501(c)(3) status, as it offers a lower postage rate and additional benefits.
First-Class Mail is the fastest option, but it's also the most expensive. It's best suited for time-sensitive mailings or those with high-value content.
Standard Time
Standard Time can be unpredictable, with in-home time windows not guaranteed.
Marketing Mail delivery times can range from 5-20 days or more.
Seasonal peak volumes and other factors can contribute to delays in getting mail pieces processed and delivered by USPS.
Differences Between First-Class
Differences Between First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail are quite significant. First-Class Mail is much faster than Marketing Mail, with a delivery window of only one to five business days.

Marketing Mail, on the other hand, can take up to ten days for delivery. This is a crucial difference to consider when planning your mail campaigns.
First-Class Mail is also more trackable than Marketing Mail, but it comes at a higher cost. This makes it an excellent option for sending a few items, but not ideal for regular mailings.
First-Class Mail allows for the use of postage stamps, which can make your mail look more appealing and potentially impact open rates. Marketing Mail, by contrast, uses postage imprints.
If you need to send a large quantity of mail, you can use Presorted First-Class Mail to enjoy the benefits of First-Class Mail while still getting discounted prices.
Here's a quick comparison of the two services:
This table highlights the key differences between First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting a package from USPS marketing mail?
You're receiving a package from USPS Marketing Mail because it's a small parcel sent as part of a marketing campaign, likely containing promotional materials or a newsletter. Check the contents to see if it's something you've ordered or if it's unwanted junk mail.
What is the difference between standard mail and marketing mail?
The main difference between Standard and Marketing Mail lies in their price and delivery speed, with Marketing Mail being a more cost-effective option for bulk mailings. To learn more about the benefits and costs of each, check out our First-Class vs. Marketing Mail comparison guide.
What are the rules for marketing mail?
To use USPS Marketing Mail, you must send at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of commercial mail, with individual items weighing under 16 ounces. Delivery takes 3-10 business days for domestic mail only.
How do I stop marketing mail?
To stop unwanted marketing mail, register for free with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) online or by mail for a $1 fee, and you'll be removed from their member's mailing lists.
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