Mailing tips: postcards, flats and booklets
Mailing Tips for Printed Pieces: Sizes, Postage & Pro Strategies
Whether you’re sending out marketing postcard, announcements, invitations, or newsletters, mailing printed pieces can be a cost-effective way to connect with your audience. But to make sure your mail gets delivered smoothly—and affordably—it’s crucial to understand the basics: sizes, postage amounts, and a few insider tips from Dave’s staff.
Let’s break it all down:
Know Your Mail Sizes
USPS has specific categories for mail sizes, and choosing the right one can save you money. Here are the most common types for printed materials according to the Post Office:
1. Postcards
- Size: Minimum 3.5″ x 5″, Maximum 4.25″ x 6″
- Thickness: At least 0.007″, no more than 0.016″
- Postage (2025): Starting at $0.56 (First-Class Postcard Rate)
Tip:
Keep it under 4.25″ x 6″ to qualify for postcard pricing. A slightly larger piece bumps you up to letter pricing.
2. Letter
- Thickness: 0.007″ – 0.25″
- Weight Limit: 3.5 ounces
- Postage (2025): Starts at $0.68 (First-Class Mail)
Examples:
Newsletters, greeting cards, folded self-mailers, 6 x 9 cards
3. Flat (Large Envelope)
- Size: Bigger than a letter, up to 12″ x 15″
- Thickness: Up to 0.75″
- Weight Limit: 13 ounces
- Postage (2025): Starts at $1.39, increases with weight
Examples:
Catalogs, large brochures, or booklets
4. Marketing Mail (Bulk/Nonprofit)
Ideal for large mailings (200+ pieces), Marketing Mail offers lower rates but slower delivery times. When we send out large mailing this is our usual method.
- Postage: As low as $0.20–$0.30 per piece (depending on size and automation)
Tip:
Nonprofits qualify for even deeper discounts
Postage-Saving Tips
- Design Within Postal Regulations
Avoid elements that could disqualify your piece from automation pricing (like odd shapes, rigid materials, or unconventional folds). - Use Presorting and Barcoding
If you’re mailing in bulk, presorting your mail and adding barcodes can significantly reduce your postage cost. Minimums may apply! - Double-Check Your Address List with Dave’s staff.
We will run your list through a verification tool to get it as accurate as possible with as few bad addresses as possible and no duplicates which will reduce undeliverable mail and avoid returned items. - Print “Return Service Requested” (if needed)
This ensures you get notified if the address is outdated, which is critical for time-sensitive mailings. This will also allow you to update your list for the next mailing.
Quick Tools & Resources
- USPS Postage Price Calculator: tools.usps.com
- Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM): Great for local saturation mailings without a mailing list: USPS EDDM tool.
- Mailing Templates & Layout Guidelines: Provided by USPS or give us a call and we would be happy to send you templates. [Postcard Template].
In the end…
Mailing printed pieces doesn’t have to be complicated, and a little knowledge goes a long way. Always design with postal guidelines in mind, double-check your sizes, and talk to the staff at Dave the Printer if you’re unsure about anything. We will always try to help. If you need us to set up your mailer, our graphics team can do it! Get started today by clicking the link below for your quote.
As a family owned business, Dave the Printer has been bending over backwards for over 50 years to make sure we provide both quality printing and great customer service. We will not leave you waiting, we understand that time is money. Our team at Dave’s would be happy to meet you in person at our office in the Design District, via email at service@davetheprinter.com or you can simply give us a call at 214-630-4017.