EDDM Full-service (High Volume Products)

Every Door Direct Mail aka EDDM is a service offered by the U.S. Postal Service that provides discounted rates for mail delivery to specific carrier routes. This type of mailing offers the cheapest postage rates available besides nonprofits. Our "Full Service EDDM" product designates a comprehensive handling of the entire EDDM process. EDDM services encompass client assistance in selecting appropriate USPS carrier routes based on their choice of neighborhood locations, while we provide professional printing and bundling of postcards to meet USPS specifications, and direct delivery of mailings to the designated post office. The post office will deliver one mail piece to every mailbox within the selected carrier route(s). There are both businesses and residential addresses located in most of the carrier routes, and you can choose to have the mail carrier deliver your mail pieces to only residential addresses, only business addresses, or both businesses and residential addresses. 

Clients utilizing iti Direct Mail’s EDDM Full Service realize cost efficiencies through reduced postage rates and minimized internal labor expenditures. The current EDDM postcard postage rate is lower than the Standard Presort bulk letter postage rate and enables clients to save money on postage while either expanding their target audience reach or increasing the frequency of mailings within selected geographic areas, or both. EDDM mailings facilitate brand awareness at a comparatively low cost, proving beneficial for both emerging and established local businesses. A selection of nine distinct EDDM Postcard mailer sizes is available, ranging from 4.5" x 12" to 9" x 12". All postcards are produced on high-quality, thick cardstock, ensuring a professional presentation and adequate durability for postal handling by USPS mail carriers.
 

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) constitutes a defined service offering by the United States Postal Service (USPS), enabling unaddressed mail piece distribution to designated carrier routes. This service provides an advantageous approach for localized advertising initiatives. The "Full Service EDDM" provision systematically administers all requisite phases of the EDDM process, thereby effectively mitigating client-side logistical burdens.

The foundational operational phase entails client consultation for the identification and selection of optimal USPS carrier routes. This procedure incorporates geographical data analysis to align mail piece distribution with pre-defined target demographic or geographical parameters. Notably, EDDM protocols do not necessitate individual recipient addresses, rather employing generalized designations such as "Postal Customer" or "Residential Customer."

After route determination, the service encompasses the professional production of EDDM mail pieces. These items are officially classified as "flats" by the USPS and are subject to stringent dimensional and mass specifications. These parameters include minimum dimensions exceeding 6.125 inches in height or 10.5 inches in length; maximum dimensions not exceeding 12 inches in height, 15 inches in length, and 0.75 inches in thickness; and a maximum unit mass of 3.3 ounces. Furthermore, mail pieces must exhibit a rectangular form factor with orthogonal or minimally rounded (radius ≤ 0.125 inches) corners. All mail pieces are fabricated from high-quality, thick cardstock to ensure structural integrity and professional aesthetic presentation throughout the postal handling continuum and must integrate the USPS-compliant EDDM indicia.

Upon completion of mail piece production, units are systematically consolidated into bundles, typically comprising 50 or 100 items, in accordance with USPS mandates. Each bundle is mechanically secured and affixed with a USPS-specified facing slip containing critical routing data, including the precise USPS carrier route identification number, which optimizes postal sorting and distribution efficiencies.

EDDM full service capitalizes on the preferential EDDM postage rate, which is significantly cheaper than the Standard Presort bulk letter rate. This cost differential facilitates either an expansion of the target audience reach or an increase in EDDM mailing cost frequency within delineated geographical sectors, contributing to augmented brand awareness at a controlled expenditure. This service additionally obviates the client's internal operational expenditures associated with mail piece preparation and postal induction.

The terminal logistical phase involves direct transportation and submission of prepared mailings to the appropriate USPS post office. This procedure precludes the necessity for direct client involvement in physical drop-off logistics. All mandatory USPS documentation, such as PS Form 3587 for EDDM Retail mailings, is meticulously completed and submitted by our team to ensure regulatory compliance.

Standard EDDM Postcard mailer sizes are available across a spectrum of nine configurations, with dimensions ranging from 4.5" x 12" to 9" x 12", all of which conform to USPS flat mail piece requirements. The aggregate processing duration, from client design approval to final postal induction, typically requires a period of 3 to 4 business days. The Full-Service model comprehensively addresses all requisite USPS specifications concerning mail piece dimensions, format, indicia placement, bundling protocols, and submission procedures, thereby streamlining the logistical burden imposed upon the client.
 

Full-Service EDDM offers key advantages for localized advertising. It provides significant postage cost savings and eliminates the need for a mailing list. This service enables precise geographic targeting by specific USPS carrier routes and includes complete professional management of all campaign logistics, freeing clients to focus on their core business operations.

Selecting the right USPS carrier routes is essential for a successful Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign. It allows for highly precise geographic targeting without the need for a traditional mailing list. We can help simplify this process for you. First, we'll discuss your specific marketing goals and then target residential neighborhoods using a specialized USPS mapping tool to make your neighborhood selections. This mapping tool allows you to pinpoint the exact routes that best match your ideal audience. Our guidance ensures your EDDM mailing reaches the most impactful locations, making your campaign more effective and efficient by concentrating your resources where they matter most.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is an excellent marketing tool for local businesses that want to reach specific neighborhoods without needing to purchase or manage a mailing list. This direct mail strategy is particularly effective for businesses whose customer base is concentrated within defined local areas or postal zones. 

Many types of businesses find EDDM to be highly beneficial. For instance, restaurants often use it to announce new menus or daily specials to local diners. Home services providers like plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and HVAC technicians can effectively target homeowners in their immediate service areas. Dental and medical offices find EDDM useful for attracting new patients from nearby communities, while fitness centers and gyms can reach residents and employees who live or work close by. Real estate agents frequently use EDDM to promote listings, advertise open houses, or build general brand awareness within specific neighborhoods. Similarly, retail establishments such as grocery stores, boutiques, and pharmacies use it to inform the local community about sales or new arrivals. Automotive services, including car washes, repair shops, and dealerships, also find success targeting local vehicle owners.

Ultimately, EDDM allows these businesses to deliver their promotional messages comprehensively to every household or business within selected USPS carrier routes or ZIP Codes. This method provides a direct, cost-effective way to build strong local brand awareness, increase foot traffic, and generate qualified leads within their primary service territories.
 

The United States Postal Service (USPS) mandates a minimum quantity of 200 mail pieces per EDDM order. This established baseline ensures that campaigns meet the necessary volume for the program's discounted postage rates and operational efficiencies. It is crucial to understand that while the USPS sets this 200-piece minimum, EDDM campaigns necessitate mailing to every address within a selected carrier route. This means that even if a carrier route contains fewer than 200 addresses, it still counts as a complete route for the purpose of the program. Conversely, if a chosen carrier route comprises more than 200 addresses, all addresses within that route must be included in the mailing to comply with EDDM regulations. The exact number of addresses within individual carrier routes exhibits variability, contingent upon factors such as population density, geographic area, and the specific composition (residential, business, or mixed) of the route. Consequently, a single carrier route typically encompasses between 250 to 800 mail pieces, though this range can fluctuate.

Determining the precise quantity of mail pieces required for an EDDM campaign can therefore be a complex process, balancing the USPS minimum with the imperative to cover entire carrier routes. However, clients are not expected to manage this calculation independently. Our team is equipped to provide comprehensive assistance in assessing your marketing objectives and budgetary parameters. We will then expertly identify and define the optimal campaign size and scope, ensuring full compliance with USPS EDDM requirements while maximizing your campaign's efficiency and reach.
 

The production and postal induction phase for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaigns is typically completed within a specific timeframe to ensure efficient deployment. Following the client's final design approval, the comprehensive process encompassing printing, bundling, and delivery to the designated United States Post Office facility usually requires 3 to 4 business days.

For campaigns with expedited requirements or stringent deadlines, specialized options are available. Clients are encouraged to communicate such time-sensitive needs, enabling us to implement accelerated production and delivery protocols. These expedited services are managed with a commitment to maintaining established quality standards, ensuring timely mail piece induction without compromising print fidelity.

After the mail pieces have been submitted to the local USPS facility, the final delivery of EDDM postcards by the U.S. Post Office generally occurs within a timeframe of 7 to 15 days. This period accounts for USPS internal sorting, routing, and last-mile delivery operations to the designated carrier routes.