Which of These Direct Mail Sizes Is Right for Your Campaign?

A successful direct mail campaign requires a lot of decisions. From choosing the right colors to the content and the right package size, the combination of details can make or break your campaign.

Different paper and envelope sizes can communicate different things to your audience. Understanding standard sizes and how letters and envelopes best fit together can also save you some money on your campaign. Before you put the pieces of your next mailing together, keep reading to learn more about direct mail sizes.

Small But Mighty

One of the simplest direct mailings to create is the USPS postcard size mailer. With minimal space and weight, a postcard mailing is easy to create and inexpensive to mail. To get the best pricing for a postcard mailing, make sure your design fits the post office specifications for machinable processing and presort pricing.

Postcards should be no more than 4-1/2 x 6 inches, and they can be no smaller than 3-1/2 by 5 inches. Use a postcard to send a quick update or special offer to your list.

Say More With a Letter

Many direct mail campaigns include an outer envelope and a letter. Depending on the response you want from the mailings, you could also include a return envelope. A letter-sized mailing gives you more space to speak to your customers. Tell a story or include a flier that offers more space for details and graphics than you can get from a postcard-sized mailing.

The post office has specifications for letter sizes, too. A Number 10 envelope is one of the most common sizes for mailing letters. It’s machinable and works with first-class, third-class, or presort mailing options. To help make sure more of your letters arrive in mailboxes, follow the USPS guides for different letter sizes and specifications.

Remember that weight matters, too. To save money on postage, keep your letters under an ounce. When your package weighs more than an ounce, you pay a higher postage rate.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

Sometimes it pays off to make an impression with a larger, flat mailing. A 9×12 mailing is impressive and stands out from smaller pieces of mail in a mailbox. However, the larger the flat size of your mailing, the more expensive it is to print and mail.

Make sure you have the budget to create a more significant mail piece, including higher costs for large envelope postage. Choose the right audience to receive this kind of unique, high-end mailing. High-end customers or donors might take notice of a bigger mail piece. However, for a bulk mailing to a broader audience, a standard letter might be more cost-effective for your campaign.

Choose the Best Direct Mail Sizes For Your Campaign!

Depending on what you want out of your campaign, the ideal direct mail sizes can make a difference. Test different sizes to find the best combination of paper sizes and postage class.

When you’re ready to design, print, and mail your campaign, contact us! We’ll guide you through the creative and production processes to help make sure your direct mail campaign is a success!