Articles

Direct Mail Made Simple: How We Cut Postage Costs and Maximize Results

You design a beautiful mailer, send it to print, then learn your postage just doubled because the piece is a hair too big. We see it all the time. Postage is often the largest line item in a mailing project, and small decisions on size, class, and format can make a big difference. At Foote Printing, we help you plan the print and the mailing together so your piece looks great and mails at the best possible rate.

The Real Challenge: Navigating USPS Rules Without Blowing Your Budget

Direct mail works, but the United States Postal Service has a set of rules that impact price and delivery speed. List size, mail class, indicia versus stamps, presort barcodes, size, and weight all affect what you pay. Our job is to simplify that maze. Before you design, we guide you on the specs that hit your goals and protect your budget.

Choose the Right Mail Class for Your Campaign

Picking the right class is step one. Here is how we help you decide:

First-Class presort: Ideal for speed and more personal communications. Minimum of 500 pieces.
Standard or Marketing Mail: Great for bulk marketing campaigns. Minimum of 200 pieces.
Nonprofit Marketing Mail: If your organization qualifies, this is the best rate. We help you secure USPS nonprofit authorization. Our setup service is a one-time $300 fee to get you pointed in the right direction and ready to mail.

We match your timeline, budget, and list size to the class that delivers the best value.

Stamps, Indicia, and Presort: What Lowers Your Postage

Stamps can work for small counts or a personal look.
Indicia and barcoding unlock presort discounts when you meet the 200-piece threshold for Marketing Mail or the 500-piece threshold for First-Class presort.
We handle the addressing and barcoding so your mail moves smoothly through postal automation and qualifies for lower rates.

Pick the Right Format: Postcards, Self-Mailers, or Envelopes

What you send is as important as how you send it. Common options:

Postcards: Fast and affordable. For the best rate, 6x11 inches or smaller is the sweet spot.
Self-mailers: A folded piece that mails without an envelope. We can supply a template that marks the address panel and indicia area so it passes postal specs.
Stuffed envelopes: What we call a stuff job. Often an outer envelope with an invite or intro letter, a reply piece, and sometimes a reply envelope. For best pricing, keep the package at 6x11 inches or smaller and aim for one ounce or less.

If you are unsure which format will hit your goals, we walk you through the tradeoffs for impact, cost, and speed.

Size and Weight: Where Savings Really Happen

Two simple rules can save you a lot:

Keep the maximum dimension at or under 6x11 inches for the best postcard and letter rates.
Keep the finished weight at one ounce or less whenever possible.

These thresholds are often the difference between a profitable campaign and an expensive one.

Why Call Us Before You Start Designing

A quick conversation up front eliminates costly redesigns and reprints later. We align on:

What you want to accomplish and how fast you need it delivered
How much you want to spend and where to save
List size and data format
Whether you qualify for nonprofit rates
The best class, format, and specifications for your goals

We then provide print-ready templates, address layout guidance, and a clear path to production and mailing.

Quick Checklist for a Smarter Mailing

Confirm your list size and delivery timeline
Choose the class that fits your goals and budget
Decide on stamps versus indicia with presort
Select format: postcard, self-mailer, or envelope package
Lock in size at 6x11 inches or smaller
Target one ounce or less in final weight
If nonprofit, let us help you secure authorization

Talk With Michael Duhr and the Foote Printing Team

If you have a list and a goal, we will turn it into a mailing that looks great and mails for less. Call us before you design. We will help you pick the right class, format, and specs, then handle printing, addressing, barcoding, and sending. Ready to simplify your next campaign and cut postage costs? Contact Foote Printing today to schedule a consultation with Michael Duhr and get your project moving.

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