Direct Mail Specifications

Postcard Marketing Campaign Best Practices:

Learn what make up the essentials elements of a successful direct mail postal campaign.

Personalized Direct Mail:

If you are looking for an easy and affordable strategy to connect with your direct mail audience, try adding personalization to your next postcard campaign.

 

Mail list format:

Your mail list must be formatted using our Mail list template to avoid processing delays. Please use our custom mail list format template for direct mail.

Mail list template download

Accepted mail list file types:

Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx)
Comma Delimited Text File (.csv)

Format your direct mailer using the Direct Mail Specifications below. You may submit your Mail list and print artwork together as a zipped file. Your Mail list should be in .xls, .xlsx, or .csv format.

Your Direct Mail campaign will be placed into production once your print artwork and mail list have been received, and you have received and approved your digital soft proof.

 

USPS Direct Mail Requirements

When postcards are mailed, direct mail specifications must be followed. When addressing postcards or other kinds of mailers, the USPS requires that certain areas of the address side of the direct mailer be left blank for addressing, postage and bar coding. This includes color backgrounds and any photos, images or text. The dimensions and exclusions vary depending on the mailer size. Please follow to the exclusion areas defined in the layouts below.

Do not place artwork or text in the gray exclusion areas.

 

4×6″ Mailer

Template applies to 4×6″ postcards.

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from top right trim corner
Bar Coding: 4.25″ x .0625″ from bottom right
Addressing: 3.5″ x 2.25″ from top right of Bar Code

 

5×7″ Mailer

Template applies to 5×7″ postcards and sample mailers.

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25″ x 2.25″ from bottom right

 

5.5×8.5″ Mailer

Template applies to 5.5×8.5″ postcards.

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding : 4.25″ x 2.25″ from bottom right

 

6×11″ Mailer

Template applies to 6×11″ postcards.

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25″ x 2.25″ from bottom right

 

#10 Envelopes

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25″ x 2.25″ from bottom right

 

3.66×8.5 Brochures

Postage/Indicia: 1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25″ x 2.25″ from bottom right
Tabbing: Please note, the tabbing requirements for direct mail. The folded edge must be parallel to longest dimension. The folded edge must be at the bottom of the mailer. The tabbing must be on the top edge of the mailer. 

 

8.5×11 Catalogs

Postage/Indicia:1″ x 1″ anchored from the top
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25″ x 2.25″ from center line (5.5″)
Tabbing: Two tabs on the open edge of the mailer, Tabs must be 1″ from the top and bottom edge.