Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) offers a cost-effective way to reach a large audience with your marketing message. But understanding the pricing structure can be tricky. This guide breaks down the factors influencing EDDM costs and helps you budget effectively.
What is EDDM?
EDDM is a USPS service allowing businesses to send marketing mail to every address on a specific carrier route, without needing individual addresses. This targeted approach makes it more affordable than traditional direct mail, and more efficient than untargeted methods.
Key Factors Affecting EDDM Pricing
Several factors influence the final cost of your EDDM campaign:
1. Number of Mailpieces:
This is the most significant cost driver. The more pieces you mail, the higher the overall price. Expect economies of scale – the price per piece usually decreases with larger quantities.
2. Printing Costs:
Your printing costs depend on several things including:
- Paper Stock: Heavier, more luxurious paper will increase costs.
- Printing Method: Offset printing is often cheaper for large volumes, while digital printing is more versatile for smaller runs and design changes.
- Design Complexity: Intricate designs and special finishes (e.g., embossing, foil stamping) will add to the printing bill.
- Color vs. Black & White: Full-color printing is more expensive than black and white.
3. Postage Costs:
USPS EDDM postage rates are based on the size and weight of your mailpiece. Understanding these dimensions is crucial for accurate budgeting. The USPS provides clear specifications for acceptable EDDM sizes and weights. Failing to adhere to these specifications will result in higher postage or rejection.
4. Design & Creative Services:
If you're not designing your mailpieces yourself, you'll need to factor in the cost of hiring a graphic designer or marketing agency. Professional design can significantly improve your campaign's effectiveness, but it's an additional expense to consider.
5. Preparation and Handling Fees:
Depending on the volume and your printing/mailing method, you may incur charges for sorting, bundling, and delivering your mailpieces to the post office. Larger print shops might include these costs in their overall quote. If you're handling this yourself, factor in time costs.
How Much Does EDDM Cost? (A Realistic Look)
It's impossible to give a single answer to "How much does EDDM cost?" The price will vary significantly based on the above factors. However, to give you a realistic range:
- Low-end (Small scale, simple design, black and white): You might spend as little as $50 - $100 for a small carrier route campaign.
- Mid-range (Moderate volume, full-color, professional design): Expect to pay several hundred dollars, perhaps $300 - $1000 or more, depending on the number of routes and mailpieces.
- High-end (Large-scale campaign, multiple routes, premium materials): Costs can easily reach several thousand dollars or more.
H2: How to Get Accurate EDDM Pricing
- Determine your target area: Identify the specific carrier routes you want to target. The USPS website offers tools to help you locate these routes.
- Choose your mailpiece design and specifications: Finalize the size, weight, and printing details.
- Get quotes from multiple printers: Compare prices and services from different printers to find the best value. Be sure to include all aspects of the project in your request for a quote – printing, paper, postage.
- Factor in design costs (if needed): If you need a designer, get quotes from several designers before making a commitment.
- Check for potential additional fees: Ask about handling, sorting, and delivery costs to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the total cost.
H2: What is the cheapest way to do EDDM?
The cheapest way to do EDDM involves a combination of strategies:
- Simple design: Avoid complex designs or special finishes that will inflate printing costs. A clean, impactful design can be highly effective.
- High-volume printing: Printing in larger quantities will often lower the cost per piece.
- Black and white printing: Opt for black and white printing instead of full-color if your message allows it.
- Lightweight paper: Use a lighter-weight paper stock to reduce both printing and postage costs.
Remember, although saving money is important, it shouldn’t compromise the quality of your message or the overall impact of your campaign.
H2: Can I get a free EDDM price quote?
Many printers and marketing services offer free, personalized EDDM price quotes. Simply provide them with the information mentioned above (target area, mailpiece specifications, quantities) and they can give you a detailed estimate.
By carefully considering these factors and getting accurate quotes, you can effectively budget for your next Every Door Direct Mail campaign and achieve a strong return on investment.
