Every Door Direct Mail-compliant sizes
No postage permit or mailing list required
Optional bundling in sets of 100
Free file setup template guides and file review
Hassle-Free and High-Quality Every Door Direct Mail® Printing
Need to create personalized messaging that will reach your target demographic? Print EDDM®-compliant postcards that fulfill the USPS’ requirements. This direct mail strategy lets you reach a specific demographic at affordable rates. You can easily promote your business and expand your current market reach. Just use the USPS’ mapping tool to see which postal route fits your potential customer profile based on demographic data like age range and household income. Once your postcards are ready, USPS will deliver your message to every address in the selected postal route.
This removes the need to upload a mailing list or include a postage permit. At UPrinting, we take care of every customization detail, from sizes that fit EDDM® postcard requirements to cardstock that endures multiple handling.
EDDM® Postcard Printing Guidelines
We print approved EDDM® sizes from 6.25" x 8" to 11" x 17" on your choice of durable 14 pt. or 16 pt. stocks.
The 3 most popular Every Door Direct Mail® postcard size options are:
6.5” x 9”
Oversized postcards 8.5" x 11"
Tri-fold menus 4.25" x 14"
The dimension guidelines as listed on the USPS EDDM® page are:
Rectangular with four square corners or finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 1/8 inch
One of the following: more than 11.5 inches long, more than 6 1/8 inches high, or more than 1/4 inch thick
Not more than 15 inches long, 12 inches high, or 3/4 inch thick.
All available sizes follow the EDDM® postcard requirements. Our three most popular sizes are:
6.5” x 9”
6.5” x 11”
8.5” x 11”
Download any of the templates available to ensure the file follows all the necessary printing guidelines. The sample design below shows how your artwork will appear with the guidelines considered:
A safe zone should not include any important details, text, or images beyond its green dotted area. This prevents essential information from being cut in the final print.
The trim line determines where the final design will be cut. Only your background color should be seen here, but cannot include anything in the safe zone.
Bleed should include the background of your artwork, up until the edge of this area. This is crucial for designs that extend up to the edge of your final size.
Direct mail postcards' available finishes include matte, gloss, and high-gloss UV. You also have the choice to use standard EDDM® retail indicia or to have your indicia on your artwork file. Together, these options allow you to create quality postcards in EDDM® compliant sizes and formatting that suit whatever artwork you have.
Optional bundling in sets of 100 is also available to meet USPS requirements for EDDM®.
You can also download any of these free postcard templates and mailing guides in your preferred size and file format. AI, JPG, PDF, PS, and PUB formats are available. Use these templates with your preferred design tool to account for the bleed, trim, and safe zone for your artwork, as well as for technical mailing requirements. Templates are also arranged according to size and orientation.
How to Craft an Effective Direct Mail Message
Stick to one main purpose for your EDDM® postcard.
Are you promoting a new product line or store opening? Are you a realtor announcing your next open house? Or do you simply want to greet both old and new customers during the holidays? Decide on your postcard’s central message and design every element to serve this purpose.
The simpler, the better.
You probably have a lot to say but a simple message comes out clearer. Focus on the purpose of your direct mail postcard. Otherwise, you distract customers with information that may get in the way of your end goal or call-to-action. Make sure everything on the postcard leads and helps the recipient toward the desired action.
Formulate a design strategy.
Your postcard needs to do more than look nice. The message should appeal to your target demographic and be readable in one glance. A call-to-action must be clear so the EDDM® postcards serve their purpose. Align the message such that it leads your recipient to the call-to-action.
You can also personalize the message and images according to your chosen demographic. See what colors, tone, and images match so it can appeal to your target market. To narrow down your design choices, try to imagine the demographic’s lifestyle. Activities like their outdoor hobbies and food preferences help in envisioning what attracts your selected recipient.
Printing & Ordering is Easy
Ordering EDDM® compliant postcards is easy if you choose a professional EDDM® printer. Download our postcard templates and mailing guide in the size and file format you need. Use these templates with your preferred design tool to account for the bleed, trim, and safe zone for your artwork, as well as to account for technical mailing requirements. When you’re ready to print, just select the options you need, and upload your file. You can get your finished EDDM® postcards in as soon as 1 business day and start selecting postcard mailing delivery routes at your local post office through bundle mailing with USPS.
EDDM® and EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL® are trademarks of the United States Postal Service.
Coloresprint is an independent provider of Every Door Direct Mail® products that are not associated with nor sponsored by the United States Postal Service.
A.The EDDM® retail indicia is a requirement for any EDDM Retail™ mailings. EDDM Retail is an affordable marketing option for small businesses, realtors, restaurants, and local political campaigns. This option lets you send at least 200 to a maximum of 5,000 postcards a day for every ZIP code.
The indicia should indicate the words “EDDM retail” on the last line, while “PAID” is shown on a separate line. You can download the indicia from the USPS site here.
If you have hundreds of postcards to send out, select the “Slip Sheets In Sets of 100” under “Bundling” options. Bundling saves you time, money, and effort before bringing the postcards to USPS. Every bundle must come with an EDDM® facing slip so that the USPS can distribute your mail accordingly. Note that bundles cannot be any higher than 6” and that every bundle must come with an EDDM facing slip on top. The number of pieces per bundle is written on the facing slip.
All finished corners should not exceed a 0.125” radius. In terms of overall dimensions, the maximum if 15” long, 12” high, and 0.75” thick. The minimum is > 10.5” long or >6.125” high or >0.25” thick.
Note that to qualify as flat, your postcard can only exceed one of the above dimension minimums but comply with all the flat maximums. For more detailed information, check out the USPS EDDM® page.
The return address is placed on the top left corner of the direct mail postcard. You can download any of the available layout templates to see where the postcard design, indicia, and mailing addresses should be located. Templates also show where the safe zone, trim line, and bleed are. Both the front and back of the postcard are on the file for your reference.
We can only print postcards that fulfill all the USPS requirements for EDDM®. Shipping or pick up typically takes one (1) business day. Sets of 100 can be bundled for easy organization and placement of the facing slip.
Paper & Specs
Size. Color. Material. It's all here, and more.
14 pt. Cardstock Gloss
Stiff, thick cardstock with a gloss finish for sheen and vibrant colors
Aqueous (water-based) coating adds scratch and > scuff resistance
Paper from sustainable sources
May be written on but testing is recommended. Ballpoint pens (oil-based ink) and permanent markers work best.
Most popular choice for Business Cards, Postcards, Hang Tags and Pocket Folders
Note: We do not guarantee writability or printability of coated paper
14 pt. Cardstock Matte
Stiff, thick cardstock with a non-reflective matte finish for a classic and elegant look
Aqueous (water-based) coating adds scratch and scuff resistance
Paper from sustainable sources
Non-glossy surface provides better writability but testing is recommended.
Ballpoint pens (oil-based ink) and permanent markers work best
Great choice for Business Cards, Postcards, Hang Tags and Pocket Folders
Note: We do not guarantee writability or printability of coated paper
14 pt. Cardstock High Gloss (UV)
Stiff, thick cardstock with UV gloss coating for a mirror-like finish
Scratch and fade-resistant
Paper from sustainable sources
Permanent ink markers work best for writing given sufficient drying time
Excellent choice for Business Cards, Postcards, Hang Tags and Club Card Flyers
16 pt. Cardstock Gloss
Slightly thicker than the 14 pt. cardstock; added rigidity prevents folds and creases
Provides limited writability using some ballpoint pens or permanent markers
Colors appear extra vivid and come with a reflective shine
Achieves a distinct, professional look for your company
16 pt. Cardstock Matte
Slightly thicker than the 14 pt. cardstock and exudes professionalism and high quality
Colors come out muted for an elegant, subdued effect
Ballpoint pens with oil-based ink and permanent markers write best on the surface
Every Door Direct Mail® templates.
Save time by using our free templates. Our templates have been setup with proper bleeds and margins, assuring your print job turns out accurate. To download, select a file type and click on the size below.
Adobe Illustrator
JPEG
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Photoshop
Publisher
