EDDM® FAQs

Feb 22, 2021

The various requirements for businesses and non-profit organizations to use Every Door Direct Mail® EDDM® can seem overwhelming at first. Selecting routes, calculating postage, understanding size requirements, and finding a printer who is also skilled in EDDM® prep are just a few! To help sort everything out, we’ve put together a simple list of common EDDM® FAQs to help you and your organization navigate the details of this program.

The biggest benefit of using Every Door Direct Mail® is that it gives marketers the opportunity to utilize reduced postage rates, with access to entire postal routes designed to target select geographic areas with relevant messaging. By catering to individual zip codes and carrier routes, this allows an organization to market itself very directly to the addresses around it, for example, individuals close to your pizza restaurant or lawn care business.

The downside of EDDM® is that it doesn’t allow for any further targeting within these areas. It’s pretty much an “all or none” approach to messaging and mailing based simply on location. So, in some situations, it is better to construct a targeted mail campaign using additional selection criteria like household income or length of time at the address.

ProList has put together several EDDM® frequently asked questions to help you make the very best direct mail decisions that align with your cohesive marketing strategies.

EDDM® FAQs – Every Door Direct Mail® Frequently Asked Questions

As a business or organization, you have a lot of options when it comes to direct mail marketing. Once you’ve signed up with a professional service like ProList, creating the perfect mailer is in the bag! We’ll help you pinpoint messaging, design, and other key components to help your mailers bring you the best ROI. We’ll also help you choose the right postal options to deliver your mail pieces. Let’s take a look at some EDDM® FAQs to help you decide if Every Door Direct Mail® is right for your business.

There are a lot of details surrounding EDDM® bulk mail options. If you don’t see an answer to your question in our list of common questions about EDDM®, feel free to reach out and let us walk you through the process!

• Q: What is the difference between bulk mail and EDDM®?
• A: Regular direct mail relies on actual mailing lists, with names and addresses of individuals. Oftentimes these are either compiled or house lists (acquired through email sign-ups, customer lists, or other data collection), or even rented lists purchased through list brokers. For EDDM® there isn’t a list – there are no names or addresses. Just a printed piece addressed to “Resident” or something similar.
• Q: Who can I mail to?
• A: With Every Door Direct Mail® you can mail to all addresses (both residential and commercial) in a postal mailing route. Zip Codes are comprised of many different routes. If you’re not experienced in route selection for EDDM, it’s best to discuss the postal route selection options with your direct mail provider.
• Q: Is there an EDDM® minimum mail piece order?
• A: Yes, there is. The absolute minimum for retail EDDM® (small orders that can be dropped off at your local post office) is 200 pieces per day per zip code.
• Q: Is there an EDDM® maximum mail piece order?
• A: Yes and no. For retail EDDM® the maximum is 5000 pieces per day per zip code. However, if you switch to the Business Mail option (via a Business Mail Entry Unit, or BMEU) there is no volume limit and multiple zip codes can be selected. To utilize this, you must use a mailing partner – like ProList – and pay with a bulk mailing permit. The quantity and route selections can be bit confusing – so just let us know and we’ll help direct you to the best option for your business!
• Q: Do NonProfits get an additional EDDM® discount?
• A: Yes, EDDM® can be mailed at non-profit rates if done through the BMEU option listed above. The non-profit authorization for an organization must be linked to the mailing when it is presented to the USPS for acceptance. It is a little-known fact that most non-profit organizations do not take advantage of.
• Q: How fast does EDDM® mail get delivered?
• A: The USPS timeline for EDDM® mailers is typically 7-14 days from the time the post office receives it, so allow a few weeks for delivery. This is generally in keeping with USPS Marketing Mail delivery times which can be as little as 7 days or less or as long as 21 days or more, depending on where the mail is going and what the USPS volume is at the time.
• Q: Are there specific dimensions for EDDM® mailers?
• A: Yes, and they are generally large in format – not letter-size mail. In general, they must be rectangular (a square is considered a rectangle) and must be one of the following: More than 11.5” in length OR 6.125” in height OR .25” thick. The largest size the mail piece can be is 12” x 15” to qualify. To learn more about required dimensions and common sizes, please visit the United States Postal Service website, here: EDDM Mailer Sizes
• Q: How do I design, print, and prepare a mail piece for EDDM® delivery?
• A: ProList can help any business with the designing, printing, and processing of your EDDM® mailers. Not only can our experienced staff help you design an aesthetically pleasing piece that captures your audience’s attention, but we also can assist you with efficient and effective messaging while staying within the EDDM® specifications for sizing. We’ll also handle the printing and processing, and delivery of your mailers to the appropriate USPS facility.

If your questions weren’t answered in our EDDM® FAQs, don’t hesitate to fill out a contact form or better yet, give us a call at 1-888-PROLIST. We’re here to help guide and support you through every step of the direct mail process. Whether you simply need help designing and printing, or you want help from start to finish, we’ve got you covered.