Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a time- and money-saving marketing tool that allows you to blanket an entire neighborhood or an entire zip code with your advertisements and/or special offers. Some printers even offer a one-stop EDDM service where you can have your mailer designed, printed, and even sent out all through the same multi-talented service.
There are two options for EDDM mailings – either EDDM Retail or plain EDDM. EDDM Retail is the more popular service because it is the more cost-effective and the simpler of the two services. And when you use the EDDM Retail indicia, you don’t have to purchase a postage permit. EDDM, on the other hand, allows businesses to send larger mailings, once they purchase a mailing permit.
If you are designing your own direct mailer for the EDDM Retail service, there are some definite and essential guidelines to consider in your design. Here they are.
When placing your mailing label in your design of your EDDM mail piece, always make sure the label is located in the top half of the item. If your mailer is oriented vertically, the “top” is easy to find. If your mailer is oriented horizontally, make sure your mailing label is on the shortest end of the mailer. The orientation of the label itself (whether it is aligned with the long or short end of the piece) does not matter. Here is an example for extra guidance.
To be delivered as EDDM mail, you will want to use the words “Local Postal Customer” to ensure delivery to all residential and business customers. All mail pieces must also include the letters “ECRWSS” either in the address area or within or below the permit indicia. Here’s an example of what your approved EDDM Retail Indicia should look like.
There are some design guidelines for your EDDM mailer that must be met for it to be mailed as a “flat” mail piece.
Three of the most popular EDDM sizing options are postcards (6.5″ x 9″), oversized postcards (8.5″ x 11″), and restaurant menus (4.25″ x 12″). This is not an exhaustive list of sizing options, though. If you have a specific design size in mind, contact us to find out whether it will meet EDDM Retail requirements.
Your mailer’s design must be rectangular, and include square corners that do not exceed 1/8 of an inch in radius. (Otherwise the corners would be considered “round” and the shape would no longer be rectangular.)
To be sent as an EDDM Retail mail piece, each of your mailers must weigh no more than 3.3 ounces.
You don’t have to do this all yourself. In fact, for a crazy low price, you can pass the responsibility on to a trusted printer, who can design, print, and mail your EDDM pieces without your having to lift a finger. Then you will pick the neighborhood or zip code you want to target – up to 5,000 mail pieces per day! – and we’ll make sure that a United States Postal Service worker will deliver your mailer to every home in that area along with the regular mail. No complicated mailing lists or specific address-printing required.
There’s no easier, cheaper way to get your message and special offers into the homes of the whole neighborhood. Contact us with any questions or to get started today.
About Terrell HammelTerrell is a professional with years of experience in marketing, and management. At EliteFlyers.com he handles content curation among many other responsibilities including customer service, business development and other administrative functions.
