Skip to content

Estimate the Cost of Your Next Direct Mail Campaign

Direct mail comes in many shapes, sizes and prices. Select below to estimate the cost of creating a hypothetical campaign from scratch or to explore the potential of your set budget.*

I want to:

*This tool uses approximate values and average costs. Please regard any total costs as approximate estimations and understand that actual direct mail campaign costs may vary. Permit fees and additional costs may apply.

Choose a Class of Mail

Decide which service best fits your campaign.

Step 1

Which mail rate will you use for your campaign?

An affordable way to send direct mail in bulk.1 This option is best when sending at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail.

more...less...

An affordable way to send direct mail at single-piece prices.2* This option is best for sending fewer than 500 pieces.

more...less...
ContinueUpdate

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Choose a Format

The right mailpiece can help you achieve your campaign goals.

Step 2

What type of mail would you like to send?

Prices listed are based on the per-unit cost to ship with USPS®.

An affordable option with wide reach. Postcards are read in greater numbers than other mail with a 3.9% year-over-year increase.5a5b

more...less...

A simple way to share more information. Folded self-mailers are secured with glue or stickers, cannot be stapled and don’t require an outer envelope. There are requirements for paper weight and folds for this style.§

more...less...

Send private, professional or multipage information using a sealed envelope. Try to add a personal touch to the envelope to set your letter apart.

more...less...

Anything bigger than a standard letter but smaller than a parcel in weight or dimension (such as a magazine) must be mailed as a flat.†‡* This price reflects flats weighing less than 4 oz.

more...less...
ContinueUpdate

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Choose a Design

Create a compelling look, layout and message for your piece.

Step 3

How do you plan to design your piece?

Price listed incorporates printing cost and, for hired designers, hourly rates.

Use an online design tool or an in-house resource to create your piece, then pay per piece to print.

more...less...

Hire a designer to create your piece. Their rates vary based on a number of factors.10a10b You’ll also pay $0.32–$0.45 per piece to print.

more...less...
ContinueUpdate

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Choose a List

Create your own or purchase a mailing list to reach your target audience.

Step 4

What type of mailing list will you use?

Price listed is based on cost per household.

Use the names and addresses of your current customers.

more...less...

Rent or buy the contact information of potential customers, assembled based on specific targeting information by a list broker.

more...less...

Opt to reach everyone within a specific area (like your business’s neighborhood) based on ZIP Code™ rather than a list of addresses with this USPS® service. EDDM is advantageous for acquisition, branding and informational campaigns.

more...less...
ContinueUpdate

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Choose a Quantity

Reach a smaller, more targeted audience or a larger, wider base.

Step 5

How many pieces will you be mailing?

To find the cost of sending more than
50,000 mailpieces, contact USPS.

Campaign Total (approx.):13a,14a13b,14b

$636
See ResultsUpdate

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Your budget is

Results

Approximate Total:

*For budgets larger than $50,000, contact USPS.

Less than $1,000$1,000–$10,000$10,000–$50,000+*

With this smaller budget range, the campaign you built is a great way to connect with a more selective and engaged group of targeted consumers. A medium-sized budget range like this one provides more flexibility with the design of your mailpiece, as well as the selection of your target audience. Since your campaign has a large budget range, make sure your mailpiece grabs the attention of your target consumer. Everyone wants a strong return on their investment.

The campaign you built is a great way to connect with a more selective and engaged group of targeted consumers: try a more affordable format and opt to design the piece yourself. It could cost less than $100 to send a few handwritten letters or postcards to top customers, which could help secure their loyalty.This larger budget provides more flexibility with the design of your mailpiece, as well as the selection of your target audience. You can strategically develop a piece that will best communicate your message to your customers. With this budget, experimenting with more eye-catching mail formats — like those with three-dimensional designs — or sending parcels is possible. Make sure your mailpiece grabs the attention of your target consumer. Everyone wants a strong return on their investment.

Here are some hypothetical campaigns:

Less than $500: Less than $5,000: Less than $20,000:

Using a list of your current customers and a design you’ve created, you can print and mail 500 full-color postcards at First-Class Mail® rates for approximately $230.15a15b1c*Using a list of your current customers but working with an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 8,000 full-color postcards at USPS Marketing Mail® rates for less than $4,000.9a,15a9b,15b1c,2c*Using a mix of a purchased mailing list and your list of current customers, as well as an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 20,000 letters at First-Class Mail® rates for about $15,000.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*

List($0.15x20,000)
 + 
Design($24.21$24.21x2530)
 + 
Printing($0.11$0.09$0.07x5008,00020,000)
 + 
Mailing($0.35$0.29$0.50x5008,00020,000)
 
Total$230$3,645.25$15,126.30

*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.

more...less...

Less than $1,000: Approx. $5,000: Approx. $20,000:

Using a purchased list and hiring an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 500 letters in envelopes at USPS Marketing Mail® rates for about $800.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 7,000 letters in envelopes at First-Class Mail® rates for about $5,645.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 40,000 letters with envelopes using USPS Marketing Mail® rates for about $20,000.9a,16a9b,16b2c,3c*

List($0.15$0.15$0.15 x5007,00040,000)
 + 
Design($24.21 $24.21$24.21x202530)
 + 
Printing($0.21$0.07$0.06x5007,00040,000)
 + 
Mailing($0.29$0.50$0.29x5007,00040,000)
 
Total$809.20$5,645.25$20,726.30

*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.

more...less...

Approx. $1,000:Close to $10,000Approx. $50,000:

Using a purchased list of 700 names and a design you’ve created, you can print and mail 699 bifolds at First-Class Mail® rates for about $1,000.17a17b4c*Using a list of your current customers and a design you’ve created, you can create, print and mail 20,000 full-color postcards at First-Class Mail® rates for about $8,800.15a15b1c*Using a purchased list and an affordable designer, you can create, print and mail 35,000 trifold mailers at First-Class Mail® rates for about $50,000.9a,17a9b,17b2c,4c*

List($0.15 $0.15x70035,000)
 + 
Design($24.21x30)
 + 
Printing($0.88 $0.09$0.80x69920,00035,000)
 + 
Mailing($0.50 $0.35$0.50x69920,00035,000)
 
Total$1,069.62$8,800$51,476.30

*Based on estimations for printing and mailing from ExpressCopy.com. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from PsPrint.com. This does not include shipping costs.*Based on estimations from ExpressCopy.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This does not include shipping costs.

more...less...

i Rates vary. See more info here.

Have questions about direct mail? Talk to USPS, or find a vendor to start a campaign.

Connect with USPSFind a VendorEstimate a Campaign

Have questions about direct mail? Talk to USPS, or find a vendor to start a campaign.

Connect with USPSFind a VendorPrice Another Campaign

Related Content