EDDM, Explained: Reach Every Mailbox Without a Mailing List

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is a USPS program that delivers your oversized postcard to every household on the mail routes you choose — no mailing list, no individual stamps, no begging for addresses. It is one of the most cost-effective ways for a local business to reach real neighborhoods. This guide covers how it works, what it costs, and how to make your piece impossible to ignore.

How EDDM actually works

You pick ZIP codes or specific carrier routes, we print USPS-approved mail pieces, the paperwork gets handled, and USPS delivers one to every door on the route. Full-service EDDM means we handle printing AND mailing logistics; print-only means we print compliant pieces and you drop them at the post office.

Sizes that qualify (and which to pick)

• 6.25 × 11 in — the workhorse: big presence, efficient price.
• 6.5 × 12 in — maximum mailbox real estate.
• 8.5 × 11 in folded flyers — great for menus and event schedules.

Bigger beats smaller in the mailbox: your piece lands ON TOP of the envelopes.

What EDDM costs

EDDM postage runs well below standard first-class rates, plus printing. A full campaign (print + postage) typically lands at cents per household — dramatically cheaper than addressed mail or poorly-targeted digital ads.

Design rules that make EDDM pay off

• One clear offer with a deadline beats five ideas.
• Big headline, real photos, easy phone number and QR code.
• Thick stock and full color — the mailbox is a first impression.
• Track it: unique code, QR, or dedicated phone line.