Everything You Need To Know About EDDM

Like the name implies, Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) sends the same printed piece to every eligible residence and/or business on a specific mail route. Because you're mailing to recipients throughout an entire route, you don't need to provide a traditional mailing list containing individual names and addresses.

Instead, you'll select the route or routes you'd like to reach using the USPS EDDM Mapping Tool . EDDM makes it possible to build a direct mail campaign around geography—such as neighborhoods surrounding your business, selected ZIP codes or other local areas.

This location-based approach can make EDDM particularly useful for small businesses and organizations whose potential customers are concentrated within a specific service area.

EDDM can be a cost-effective direct mail option for two important reasons. First, because you target postal routes instead of purchasing a traditional mailing list, you can eliminate the expense of buying individual names and addresses for your campaign.

The cost of printing your EDDM postcards or mailpieces will depend on factors such as size, quantity and paper selection. You can view EDDM postcard printing options and get an instant printing price from U.S. Press.

USPS created EDDM to provide businesses and organizations with a convenient way to reach entire geographic areas using USPS Marketing Mail. For larger-volume mailings entered through a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU), USPS currently lists EDDM postage rates as low as $0.259 per piece.

When evaluating the total cost of an EDDM campaign, consider both your printing costs and current USPS postage rates.

There are two primary ways to enter an Every Door Direct Mail campaign with USPS: EDDM Retail and EDDM BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit). The right option depends largely on the size and geographic reach of your campaign.

When should you use EDDM Retail?

For local businesses planning a smaller campaign, EDDM Retail is often a convenient option. USPS currently allows EDDM Retail mailings of at least 200 and up to 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP Code. No special mailing permit is required, and postage can be paid online or at the Post Office.

One important consideration is drop-off location. EDDM Retail mailpieces generally need to be taken to the Post Office location responsible for the carrier routes you've selected. That makes EDDM Retail particularly practical when you're targeting nearby neighborhoods and ZIP codes.

When should you use EDDM BMEU?

EDDM BMEU is designed for larger campaigns and can be useful when you want to reach a wider geographic area, multiple ZIP Codes or markets located far from your business.

For example, a retailer preparing to open a new location in another city could use an EDDM campaign to reach neighborhoods surrounding the new store—even if the company's main office is located hundreds of miles away.

U.S. Press can help businesses with larger direct mail campaigns, including printing and mailing services. For assistance with an EDDM BMEU campaign or other direct mailing project, call 800-227-7377 or learn more about our direct mailing services.

Because EDDM is primarily location-based, it may not be the best direct mail strategy for campaigns that depend heavily on narrow demographic characteristics or highly specialized audiences. However, it can be an effective option for businesses that want broad exposure within a particular geographic area.

Businesses that can be a good fit for EDDM campaigns include:

Other businesses that may benefit from EDDM include organizations with products or services that appeal to a broad audience within a defined local area.

To use Every Door Direct Mail, your mailpiece and mailing must meet applicable USPS requirements. For EDDM Retail, USPS currently requires the mailpiece to qualify as a flat and weigh no more than 3.3 ounces.

USPS requirements and postal rates can change. Before finalizing your mailpiece, use the USPS EDDM tool to select routes and confirm current mailing requirements.

Every Door Direct Mail can provide businesses with a simple, location-based way to put a printed marketing message in front of a large number of potential customers. By selecting carrier routes rather than purchasing a traditional mailing list, you can build a campaign around the neighborhoods and communities that matter to your business.

U.S. Press has provided expert commercial printing since 1981 and can help with your EDDM postcard printing and larger direct mail projects.