Direct mail can be a powerful tool in omnichannel marketing efforts. Learn how to create an actionable campaign, step by step.
Estimate the Cost of Your Next Direct Mail Campaign
Direct mail comes in many shapes, sizes and prices. Select below to estimate the cost of creating a hypothetical campaign from scratch or to explore the potential of your set budget.*
I want to:
*This tool uses approximate values and average costs. Please regard any total costs as approximate estimations and understand that actual direct mail campaign costs may vary. Permit fees and additional costs may apply.
Choose a Class of Mail
Decide which service best fits your campaign.
Step 1
Which mail rate will you use for your campaign?
ContinueUpdate
i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
1 “USPS Marketing Mail,” Postal Explorer, 2018.
2 “USPS First-Class Mail,” Postal Explorer, 2018.
*Permit fees and additional costs may apply.
Choose a Format
The right mailpiece can help you achieve your campaign goals.
Step 2
What type of mail would you like to send?
Prices listed are based on the per-unit cost to ship with USPS®.
ContinueUpdate
i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
3a “Price List,” Postal Explorer, 2018.
4a Please note: Pricing estimate is based on USPS Marketing Mail® rates for commercial letters weighing 3.5 oz. or less per piece with no entry discount on a basic carrier route.
5a Summer Gould, “A Better Direct Mail Strategy for 2019,” Target Marketing, Jan. 17, 2019.
6a Please note: Pricing estimate is based on USPS Marketing Mail® rates for commercial flats (large envelopes) weighing 4 oz. or less per piece with no entry discount on a basic carrier route. Per-pound pricing estimate based on domestic commercial periodicals with no entry discount.
* Postcard pricing applies to First-Class Mail® only. Postcard-sized pieces for USPS Marketing Mail® will be billed at the letter price.
† Personal matter, including billing statements, must be mailed at First-Class Mail® prices. Nonprofit pricing requires USPS® authorization.
‡ EDDM® mailings entered at a retail unit must meet the size requirements of a flat.
§ Please refer to USPS reference materials to ensure that your folded self-mailer is created to the correct specifications for mailing: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/folded-self-mailer
‖ Please note: If EDDM is selected in Step 4, the per-unit cost to ship becomes $0.19/piece.
¶ If EDDM is selected in Step 4, letter campaigns are only allowed on rural routes or for government mail purposes, and self-mailers should meet the flat-size minimum dimensions—larger than 10.5”L or 6.25”H or 0.25” thick, but smaller than 15”L, 12”H, and 0.75” thick.
3b “Price List,” Postal Explorer, 2018.
4b Please note: Pricing estimate is based on USPS First-Class Mail® rates for letters and cards.
5b Summer Gould, “A Better Direct Mail Strategy for 2019,” Target Marketing, Jan. 17, 2019.
6b Please note: Pricing estimate is based on USPS First-Class Mail® Retail – Single Piece rates for commercial flats (large envelopes) weighing 4 oz. or less per piece. Per-pound pricing estimate based on domestic commercial periodicals with no entry discount.
* Personal matter, including billing statements, must be mailed at First-Class Mail® prices. Nonprofit pricing requires USPS authorization.
† Please refer to USPS reference materials to ensure that your folded self-mailer is created to the correct specifications for mailing: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/folded-self-mailer
‡ EDDM® mailings entered at a retail unit must meet the size requirements of a flat.
Choose a Design
Create a compelling look, layout and message for your piece.
Step 3
How do you plan to design your piece?
Price listed incorporates printing cost and, for hired designers, hourly rates.
ContinueUpdate
i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
7a “Postcard Printing and Mailing,” ExpressCopy.com, 2018.
8a Please note: Printing costs will vary depending on vendor, colors and weight of paper.
9a Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
10a Please note: This is just a median rate. Rates can vary greatly depending on where a designer lives and their level of experience.
7b “Postcard Printing and Mailing,” ExpressCopy.com, 2018.
8b Please note: Printing costs will vary depending on vendor, colors and weight of paper.
9b Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
10b Please note: This is just a median rate. Rates can vary greatly depending on where a designer lives and their level of experience.
Choose a List
Create your own or purchase a mailing list to reach your target audience.
Step 4
What type of mailing list will you use?
Price listed is based on cost per household.
ContinueUpdate
i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
11a Jenna Bruce, “How Much Does Direct Mail Marketing Cost?” Media Space Solutions, July 31, 2017.
12a “Using Every Door Direct Mail,” USPS.com, 2018.
*Please note: EDDM® is not recommended if a business does not need to target customers within its proximity, if the product being promoted is highly specialized, if direct mail personalization is necessary, if the campaign will be used for loyalty programs or if customers have specific demographics and/or psychographics.
11b Jenna Bruce, “How Much Does Direct Mail Marketing Cost?” Media Space Solutions, July 31, 2017.
12b “Using Every Door Direct Mail,” USPS.com, 2018.
Choose a Quantity
Reach a smaller, more targeted audience or a larger, wider base.
Step 5
How many pieces will you be mailing?
To find the cost of sending more than
50,000 mailpieces, contact USPS.
50,000 mailpieces, contact USPS.
Campaign Total (approx.):13a,14a13b,14b
$636
See ResultsUpdate
i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
13a Please note: If you opted to outsource design, the rate was calculated using the average design rate ($24.21 per hour) for four hours of work.
14a Please note: This rate was calculated by adding together the total of each of the above sections: EITHER (Postage Cost for Selected Format x Quantity Chosen) + (Average Design Rate x Four Hours) + (Average Printing Cost x Quantity Chosen) + (Per Household List Cost x Quantity Chosen) OR (Postage Cost for Selected Format x Quantity Chosen) + (Average Printing Cost x Quantity Chosen) + (Per Household List Cost x Quantity Chosen)
13b Please note: If you opted to outsource design, the rate was calculated using the average design rate ($24.21 per hour) for four hours of work.
14b Please note: This rate was calculated by adding together the total of each of the above sections: EITHER (Postage Cost for Selected Format x Quantity Chosen) + (Average Design Rate x Four Hours) + (Average Printing Cost x Quantity Chosen) + (Per Household List Cost x Quantity Chosen) OR (Postage Cost for Selected Format x Quantity Chosen) + (Average Printing Cost x Quantity Chosen) + (Per Household List Cost x Quantity Chosen)
Your budget is
Results
Approximate Total:
*For budgets larger than $50,000, contact USPS.
Less than $1,000$1,000–$10,000$10,000–$50,000+*
With this smaller budget range, the campaign you built is a great way to connect with a more selective and engaged group of targeted consumers. A medium-sized budget range like this one provides more flexibility with the design of your mailpiece, as well as the selection of your target audience. Since your campaign has a large budget range, make sure your mailpiece grabs the attention of your target consumer. Everyone wants a strong return on their investment.
The campaign you built is a great way to connect with a more selective and engaged group of targeted consumers: try a more affordable format and opt to design the piece yourself. It could cost less than $100 to send a few handwritten letters or postcards to top customers, which could help secure their loyalty.This larger budget provides more flexibility with the design of your mailpiece, as well as the selection of your target audience. You can strategically develop a piece that will best communicate your message to your customers. With this budget, experimenting with more eye-catching mail formats — like those with three-dimensional designs — or sending parcels is possible. Make sure your mailpiece grabs the attention of your target consumer. Everyone wants a strong return on their investment.
Here are some hypothetical campaigns:
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Less than $1,000: Approx. $5,000: Approx. $20,000:
Using a purchased list and hiring an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 500 letters in envelopes at USPS Marketing Mail® rates for about $800.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 7,000 letters in envelopes at First-Class Mail® rates for about $5,645.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 40,000 letters with envelopes using USPS Marketing Mail® rates for about $20,000.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*
| List | ($0.15$0.15$0.15 | x | 5007,00040,000) |
| + | |||
| Design | ($24.21 $24.21$24.21 | x | 202530) |
| + | |||
| Printing | ($0.21$0.07$0.06 | x | 5007,00040,000) |
| + | |||
| Mailing | ($0.29$0.50$0.29 | x | 5007,00040,000) |
| Total | $809.20$5,645.25$20,726.30 | ||
*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.
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Approx. $1,000:Close to $10,000Approx. $50,000:
Using a purchased list of 700 names and a design you’ve created, you can print and mail 699 bifolds at First-Class Mail® rates for about $1,000.17a17b4c*Using a list of your current customers and a design you’ve created, you can create, print and mail 20,000 full-color postcards at First-Class Mail® rates for about $8,800.15a15b1c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 35,000 trifold mailers at First-Class Mail® rates for about $50,000.9a,17a9b,17b2c,4c*
| List | ($0.15 $0.15 | x | 70035,000) |
| + | |||
| Design | ($24.21 | x | 30) |
| + | |||
| Printing | ($0.88 $0.09$0.80 | x | 69920,00035,000) |
| + | |||
| Mailing | ($0.50 $0.35$0.50 | x | 69920,00035,000) |
| Total | $1,069.62$8,800$51,476.30 | ||
*Based on estimations for printing and mailing from ExpressCopy.com. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from ExpressCopy.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.
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i Rates vary. See more info here.
Learn more about the rates we used:
9a Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
15a “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
16a “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
17a “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
9b Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
15b “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
16b “Stationery Letterhead & Envelope,” Printing For Less, 2018.
17b “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
1c “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
2c Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
3c “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
4c “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
Learn more about the rates we used:
9a Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
15a “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
16a “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
9b Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
15b “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
16b “Stationery Letterhead & Envelope,” Printing For Less, 2018.
1c “Standard Postcards,” PsPrint, 2019.
2c Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
3c “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
Learn more about the rates we used:
9a Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
16a “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
17a “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
9b Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
16b “Stationery Letterhead & Envelope,” Printing For Less, 2018.
17b “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
2c Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Disclaimer, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/disclaimer.htm (visited April 16, 2019).
3c “Letterhead & Envelope,” PsPrint, 2019.
4c “Direct Mail,” Express Copy, 2018.
