EDDM is a powerful way to reach the right audience without a mailing list, helping you grow your brand's name in a local area. Whether you're sending postcards to nearby neighborhoods or brochures to thousands of local residents, EDDM makes it easy and affordable. Start by selecting ZIP Codes that match your goals. Not sure which routes are right for you or what type of mailer will work best? Expert help is just a click away—get the guidance you need to make your EDDM campaign a success.
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a USPS program that enables businesses to reach every address in a designated area—no mailing list required. You can send flyers, menus, postcards, or promotions to entire ZIP codes or neighborhoods, making it a simple and cost-effective way to boost local visibility.
Unlike traditional mail, EDDM targets delivery routes instead of individual addresses. It’s perfect for small businesses, restaurants, realtors, or local services looking to promote events, sales, or special offers directly to nearby homes and businesses. All you have to do is fill out our EDDM quote request form and let us know the ZIP Codes you’d like to target, as well as the type of mailer you prefer. From there, we’ll be able to assist you in launching your EDDM campaign.
No, EDDM does not include individual tracking for delivery like First Class Mail. This is because EDDM is not individually barcoded. You can, however, track when your mail pieces are received and processed by the USPS, as they scan the mail at the accepting facility (known as acceptance scans).
Yes. While you can’t track delivery for EDDM, you can track performance. Include QR codes, personalized URLs, coupon cutouts, promo codes, or a call tracking number, and you’ll be able to track how many individuals respond to your EDDM mailers. You can also include a form on the website page you lead them to or other means of gathering data about individuals, so you can begin targeting them with new campaigns.
Most EDDM campaigns are delivered between 3 and 14 days after being accepted by the USPS. This can vary based on location and mail volume. For example, rural and less-traveled routes tend to take longer, as do peak mailing periods, such as holidays.
It’s essential to note that the 3-14 delivery window does not account for the time required to print and deliver your mailers to the accepting post office. Because of this, it is highly recommended to plan ahead for EDDM campaigns so that your mailers are delivered when you need them to reach your audiences’ mailboxes.
EDDM is not prioritized for delivery by the USPS, unlike First Class Mail. Therefore, it is processed after higher classes of mail, especially during busy seasons such as holidays, elections, or environmental delays.
Because EDDM is delivered to every address on a given route, the local USPS workload can also affect delivery time. For example, if they are short-staffed, have a backlog of mail, or if there is bad weather. It’s also important to remember that EDDM pieces aren’t barcoded individually, so there isn’t precise tracking or delivery validation, meaning delays can occur without notice or confirmation. This is why it is essential to plan ahead for EDDM. Ordering your EDDM mailers earlier is better.
No, the ability to mail without a mailing list is one of the benefits of EDDM. You simply select ZIP codes or carrier routes to target, and your mail pieces will be delivered to every address on that route—no cleansing, creating, or purchasing a mailing list.
Yes and no. EDDM is designed to blanket coverage of a specific area, meaning it targets both residential and business addresses. You can, however, exclude business addresses and just mail to residential addresses. You cannot target just business addresses.
There must be a space left blank within your EDDM mailer design that is at least 4×2.25 (typically located in the bottom left corner of the back of your mailer). This is the space where we will insert the mailing information, such as the mailing indicia and local mailing address. For help with your EDDM design, ask us about our free EDDM design templates.
No. Because you are mailing to every address on a selected route, there is no mailing data to pull individual personalization information from, such as names.
EDDM is a low-cost, effective way to reach a large audience in a specific area, building brand awareness and increasing sales. However, it isn’t right for anyone. Typically, EDDM is ideal for local businesses, such as restaurants, car washes, home services, real estate agents, local events, and political campaigns, as well as any other business that relies on its surrounding community to grow.
Essentially, if you have a business that offers something the majority of the people need or want and requires them to visit you, or you visit them, EDDM is a great option.
For EDDM Retail, a mailing permit is not required. For EDDM BMEU, you do. However, if you work with a print and direct mail company that offers EDDM, like Telepathic Graphics, you can use their permit, and they will handle everything from printing to delivering your mail pieces to the post office for you.
If you work with us, we will deliver your mailers to their designated drop-off locations.
If you decide to launch your EDDM campaign independently, you will need to drop off your mailers at the local post office(s) that serve your selected routes for EDDM Retail. For EDDM BMEU, you will need to drop off your mailers at a Business Mail Entry Unit.
Yes, EDDM does include PO Boxes, and they are considered their own route. We can let you know how many and which PO Box routes are in your selected ZIP Code so you can opt to mail to them or not. You can also view them using the USPS mapping tool. Please note that for PO Box route types, you can’t reach residential only. Your mail pieces will reach all PO Boxes under the selected route, regardless of whether they are residential or business.
6.25×9, 6×11, 8.5×11, and 9×12 postcards are allowed as well as 11×17 and 11×25.5 brochures.
