Whether you're just starting out or simply trying to get more people through the door, a good direct mail marketing strategy can increase brand awareness and bolster your business. While it may be tempting to spend your advertising budget on digital marketing campaigns or your social media presence, one channel is practically guaranteed to reach people directly: their physical mailboxes.
\r\nAfter an extensive look into the direct mail industry, we've determined the best direct mail services for different business needs.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionBestPicks","id":"best-picks","isInToc":true,"type":"bestpicks","megaBestPicksTopCardLimit":4,"bestpicks":[{"bullets":["Thousands of design templates","Excellent online design tool","Good customer support"],"description":"You may already know Vistaprint for its business cards, but the company's considerable design, printing and mailing capabilities make it a strong direct mailing service. Though limited to postcards, users can take advantage of Vistaprint's extensive design options. You can use your own design or select from thousands of templates that let even the artistically challenged create professional-looking designs that stand out in customer mailboxes. If that option is too in-depth for you, you can work with Vistaprint's team of designers, who can turn a project around within 24 hours for an additional fee. Once complete, your design will be produced at Vistaprint's facilities, with the average turnaround time landing between three and seven days, depending on the options you choose.","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Overall","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Overall","review":{"displayName":"Vistaprint","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/vistaprint/","id":"f981b4e2209383b77fb787c84a855cd5","url":"https://www.vistaprint.com/marketing-materials/postcard-mailing-services","review":{"pros":["Vistaprint offers more than 4,000 templates so you can quickly design, print and mail out your campaign.","The company's size and resources allow it to offer fast turnaround and custom design services."],"cons":["Vistaprint only offers mailing services for postcard-based campaigns."],"fullReviewTest":"Vistaprint is well known for its business card products, but this printing company also offers an all-in-one direct mail solution. Whether you want to use one of Vistaprint's 4,000-plus templates, hire its in-house design team, or just use your own design, the company makes it easy for small businesses to run targeted direct mail marketing campaigns. We also found that the company's printing facilities allow for fast turnaround, and its mailing efforts are on par with nearly all of its competitors.
\r\nNo matter which printer you work with, calculating the cost of a direct mail marketing campaign is difficult. Prices vary by the mailers you select and the current postage rates from the United States Postal Service.
\r\nWhile many direct mail services require you to reach out to a sales representative for a price quote, Vistaprint's direct mail page features a useful price calculator to give small business owners a feel for how much their campaign may cost. Another good thing about Vistaprint's service is that there are no contracts to sign, and payment isn't required until just before the campaign goes out.
\r\nIf you ordered 5,000 standard-sized postcards (5.47 x 4.21 inches) with full-color printing on both sides to be shipped first-class through Vistaprint's direct mail service, and you needed to buy a mailing list, the total cost (including shipping and other fees) would be $2,446, according to the price quote we received for a hypothetical campaign. That price estimate is similar to the rates of other direct mail companies on our list.
\r\nWhen calculating your potential price, Vistaprint takes these data sets into account, in addition to how many pieces you want to order:
\r\nAs we searched for the direct mailing company with the best design, print, and mail services, we examined what features each company offers that make all three aspects of creating a direct mail campaign easy and viable for small businesses. Here are some of the features and services that Vistaprint offers its clients.
\r\nVistaprint offers a wide variety of template options on its easy-to-navigate website. You can use the drag-and-drop platform to design your postcard, select your address list and launch your campaign, all from one place. Your entire custom design can be ready in 24 hours.
\r\nOne potential downside to Vistaprint's services is that it only provides a direct mail service for postcards. If you want other types of printed products for your direct mail campaign, you will need to coordinate the delivery yourself. Vistaprint also doesn't offer a tracking feature for customer response rates to your print campaign.
\r\nWhen we called Vistaprint posing as a small business owner, the customer service representative we spoke with didn't try to upsell us with additional items or services, but they didn't volunteer much information about the company's offerings either. Although they listened attentively and gave clear responses, they often pointed us to the website for information, rather than answering the question for to us. This may be frustrating for small business owners who want to receive a quick answer from a knowledgeable person at the company rather than searching for information on the company's website.
\r\nThe company offers telephone support from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. EST on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. You can also contact customer service via 24-hour live chat and email, though the latter option has a response time of about 24 hours.
\r\nIn case you prefer to find answers to your questions online, Vistaprint's support site has a knowledge base and video tutorials.
","fullReview":"Vistaprint is well known for its business card products, but the major printing company also offers an all-in-one direct mail solution. We picked it as the best direct mailing solution for design, print and mail services because it can handle all three of those steps well. Whether you want to use one of Vistaprint's 4,000-plus templates, hire its in-house design team or just use your own design, the company makes it easy for small businesses to run targeted direct mail marketing campaigns. We also found that the company's printing facilities allow for fast turnaround, and its mailing efforts are on par with nearly all of its competitors.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for direct mailing services, visit our best picks page.
\r\nNo matter which printer you work with, calculating the cost of a direct mail marketing campaign is difficult. Prices vary depending on the options you select for your mailers and the current postage rates from the United States Postal Service.
\r\nWhile many direct mail services require you to reach out to a sales representative to get a price quote, Vistaprint's direct mail page features a useful price calculator to give small business owners a feel for how much their campaign may cost. Another good thing about Vistaprint's service is that there are no contracts to sign and payment isn't required until just before the campaign goes out.
\r\nIf you were to order 5,000 standard-sized postcards with full color printing on both sides to be shipped first-class through Vistaprint's direct mail service, and you needed to buy a mailing list, the total cost including shipping and other fees would be $2,502, according to the price quote we received. That price estimate is similar to the rates of other direct mail companies on our list.
\r\nWhen calculating your potential price, here are the data sets that Vistaprint takes into account, in addition to how many pieces you want to order:
\r\nPostcard size: Since the company's direct mail service only deals in postcards, its calculator focuses on that type of product. According to the company, business owners can choose from two sizes for their mailers – a \"standard\" 5.47 x 4.21 postcard and an \"oversized\" 8.52 x 5.47 postcard.
\r\nBackside printing options: It's a given that the front of your direct mail postcards will be printed in color, but Vistaprint also gives you the option to print the back of the card in either black and white or color. Naturally, a color-printing process on both sides has a higher price tag.
\r\nMailing lists: Like other direct mail services, Vistaprint is flexible when it comes to your mailing lists. If you already own a list of households to send your mailers to, you can simply upload the file to Vistaprint and save some money. Most of the time, however, you will need to either buy or rent a new mailing list. Mailing lists from Vistaprint are generated by AccuData and yours to keep once purchased.
\r\nPostage type: Direct mailing vendors of all sizes must contend with postage fees. The costs depend on whether you choose first-class shipping or first-class rush shipping. Vistaprint officials said their postage fees are less than their competitors' because they sort mailings before they are shipped out.
\r\nAddressing and handling fee: This fee includes processing, address validation, address printing and delivery to the post office. The amount of this fee depends on the size and scope of your campaign.
\r\nGraphic design services: If you need the in-house design team to create your postcard mailer for you, Vistaprint charges just $10 for those services. A Vistaprint representative told us that after you pay upfront for design help, the entire design process takes approximately 24 hours.
\r\nAs we searched for the direct mailing company with the best design, print and mail services, we examined what features each company offers that make all three aspects of creating a direct mail campaign easy and viable for small businesses. Here are some of the features that Vistaprint offers its clients.
\r\nQuick turnaround: Vistaprint has two printing facilities, allowing it to quickly turn around direct mail orders. According to the company, orders take three days if you choose the expedited printing option or up to seven days with its standard printing process. After an order is printed, Vistaprint estimates that mailing takes between five and 12 business days if you choose first-class shipping or between four and eight business days with first-class rush shipping.
\r\nSpeedy in-house design team: Vistaprint offers graphic design services from its in-house design team to its direct mail customers. It can turn around a project within 24 hours, and its services can make your mailers stand out. To use this service, you pay the $10 fee upfront, select a postcard size and describe what you're looking for. You can even schedule an online video chat with a graphic designer to discuss your design.
\r\nThousands of free templates: If you prefer to design your mailer yourself, you can do so using Vistaprint's free design tools, which include more than 4,000 templates.
\r\nMailing lists: Mailing lists, the backbone of any direct mail campaign, are generated through Vistaprint using data provided by AccuData. You can create targeted lists by selecting demographics like location, income level, age range and other delineating factors. You then purchase the list, allowing you to reuse it for future marketing campaigns.
\r\nWhen we called Vistaprint, posing as a small business owner, the customer service representative we spoke with didn't try to upsell us with additional items or services, but they didn't volunteer much information about the company's offerings either. Although they listened attentively and provided clear responses, they often pointed to the website for information, rather than explaining it to us. This may be frustrating for small business owners who want a quick answer from a knowledgeable person at the company rather than searching for information on the company's website.
\r\nThe company offers telephone support from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. EST on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. You can also contact customer service via 24-hour live chat and email, though the latter option has a response time of about 24 hours. In case you prefer to find answers to your questions online, Vistaprint's support site has a knowledgebase and video tutorials.
\r\nWhile Vistaprint offers many of the same features as other direct mail companies, there are some limitations to keep in mind. First and foremost is that if you're looking to send anything more than glossy postcards through direct mail, then Vistaprint is not the choice for you, as this is the only type of mailer it offers.
\r\nAdditionally, other vendors generally offer some sort of tracking option that allows you to gauge how well your direct mail campaign is performing. Vistaprint lacks this feature, leaving its users in the dark about customer response rates.
\r\nIf you're an eco-conscious business owner, you should know that the company's printed materials are not sustainably sourced, according to the rep we spoke with. We could not find any information on the company's website that contradicts that assertion.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10122","widget":{"id":"10122","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://www.vistaprint.com/marketing-materials/postcard-mailing-services","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5d3223c45a215ea0208b4571/vistaprint.png"}}},{"bullets":["Reasonable price for SMBs","Comprehensive campaign options","Eco-friendly printing"],"description":"PrintingforLess.com (PFL) is the overall best direct mailing service because it can quickly and easily handle every step of the direct mailing process. From start to finish, PFL can get your items mailed out to homes in two to three weeks, making it a quick and comprehensive solution. Eco-conscious small businesses will be happy to know that PFL's products use recycled paper and eco-friendly inks.\r\n\r\nWhile it offers many of the same services that other companies do, what sets it apart is the variety of items that it can send through direct mail. In addition to mailing postcards, PFL can help you design, print, and send brochures, newsletters, greeting cards, staggered mailings and multi-piece mailers, among other options. With this range of choices, your business can create and deliver promotional materials that stand out in your recipients' daily mail.","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best Full Service","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Full Service","review":{"displayName":"PrintingForLess.com","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/printingforless-com/","id":"c52ec6aa39b0059ed5f1ab94e1b26957","url":"https://www.printingforless.com/","review":{"pros":["PrintingForLess.com can help you through every step of the process, including design, printing and mailing.","The company offers transparent pricing for printing services, which is helpful to small business owners looking to budget for mail campaigns."],"cons":["PrintingForLess.com does not provide analytics or any means of quantifying the success of your mail campaign."],"fullReviewTest":"We chose PrintingforLess.com (PFL) as the best full-service direct mailing company because it can quickly and easily handle every step of the direct mailing process. While it offers many of the same services that other companies do, what sets it apart is the variety of items it can send through direct mail. PFL can help you design, print, and send postcards, brochures, newsletters, greeting cards, staggered mailings and multi-piece mailers. With this range of choices, your business can create and deliver promotional materials that stand out in your recipients' daily mail.
\r\nYou can get a ballpark price estimate on PFL's order pages for the various items it offers. This is a welcome feature, since many vendors we considered require you to speak with someone in the sales department to get any pricing information.
\r\nAs part of our testing, we reached out to PrintingForLess.com for a quote, posing as a small business owner. We were quoted these prices for a direct mail campaign of postcards (5 x 7 inches) with color printing on both sides to be delivered through bulk mail:
\r\nThese prices are comparable to what other vendors in the direct mail space charge. While these figures can give you a good idea of how much a direct mail marketing campaign with this company could cost, your exact price will depend on the printing options you select.
\r\nPFL has an impressive selection of features that make it easy for a small business to run a snail-mail marketing campaign, including the following.
\r\nOf the direct mail companies we examined, PFL is the most comprehensive and reasonably priced option for small businesses with various direct mailing goals. The company can handle the entire mailing process from start to finish and boasts an impressive selection of features that make it easy for a small business to run a snail-mail marketing campaign. Eco-conscious small businesses will also be happy to know that PFL's products use recycled paper and eco-friendly inks.
\r\nPFL's design options are some of the most expensive among the companies we examined. The company told us that design could cost $90 to $129 for a 5 x 7 postcard, depending on whether the final product would be one-sided. While you will own the design afterward, we found other companies that provide design services for less money.
\r\nFurthermore, PrintingForLess.com has no way of quantifying your direct mailing campaign's success in terms of customer engagement. Some direct mailing companies offer telephone and online tracking to help you learn how effective your mailers were, as well as insights into what your potential customers want. The only tracking PFL offers is for shipping, which is helpful but doesn't provide any customer insights.
\r\nWhen we called the company, posing as a potential customer, we had a positive interaction with the customer service department. The rep we spoke with was courteous and took the time to go over the company's offerings. Throughout the conversation, they asked us questions about our business and made helpful suggestions to make sure our direct mail marketing campaign would be successful. At no point did we feel pressured to consider upgrading to higher-priced materials for our mailers, though we were told of their existence.
\r\nIn case you prefer not to speak with a customer service rep, PrintingForLess.com also has a support email address, as well as an extensive FAQs section on its website.
","fullReview":"Small business owners who want to reach a targeted set of customers by mail should consider PrintingForLess.com, our pick for the best direct mailing service overall. With more than two decades of experience, this Montana-based company can not only print and send a wide range of mailers in a timely fashion, but also help business owners design attention-grabbing mailers.
\r\nOf the direct mail companies we examined, PrintingForLess.com is the most comprehensive and reasonably priced option for small businesses with varying direct mailing goals. Whether you're looking to send simple postcards or want to create a custom brochure that fits your brand's message, PrintingForLess.com has the tools to let small business owners take a hands-on approach to their direct mail marketing campaigns.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for direct mailing services, visit our best picks page.
\r\nWhen trying to suss out how much a direct mailing campaign will cost you, you'll note that few companies outline their pricing information in detail on their websites. Some of the variables that go into direct mail pricing are the mailer type, its size and quality, and how many pieces will be printed and shipped.
\r\nYou can get a ballpark estimate for costs on PrintingForLess.com's order pages for the various items it offers. This is a welcome feature, since many vendors on our list require you to speak with someone in the sales department to get any pricing information.
\r\nAs part of our testing, we reached out to PrintingForLess.com for a quote. Posing as a small business owner, we told the sales representative that we were looking to create a direct mail campaign of 5,000 5 x 7 postcards with color printing on both sides to be delivered through bulk mail. What we received in our quote was a small breakdown based on quantity. Here are the prices we were quoted:
\r\nThese prices are comparable to what other vendors in the direct mail space charge. While these figures give you a good idea of how much a direct mail marketing campaign with this company could cost, it's important to note that the prices you're quoted will differ, depending on the printing options you select.
\r\nSmall business owners need a direct mailing partner that can handle the entire process from start to finish. After researching many direct mailing services, we found that PrintingForLess.com has an impressive selection of features that make it easy for a small business to run a snail-mail marketing campaign. Here's a sampling of what it has to offer.
\r\nFormat options: PrintingForLess.com offers a variety of mailer formats. You can choose from brochures, postcards, newsletters, catalogs, greeting cards and other printed products.
\r\nOption to use your own design: Before any of your mailers can reach their intended audience, they need to go through a graphic design process. If you've already created a design for your mailers, you can upload it directly to PFL's site to use for your campaign.
\r\nAccessible in-house design team: If you need design assistance, PrintingForLess.com has professionals on hand to help you create eye-catching mailers. There is an additional cost for this service. During this process, you provide details like the size of your mailers and a general outline of what you want it to say. After a follow-up call, PFL's design team sends you a digital proof to review. Following three rounds of corrections, the design is finalized and set for production. If you want to see what your printed design will look like, the company offers free custom samples.
\r\nEco-friendly printing: At PFL's 100% wind-powered production facilities, direct mailers are printed on recycled paper and cardstock using vegetable-based inks.
\r\nMailing prep services: After printing, you can insert any additional items you want into your mailers. The company also offers tabbing, addressing and labeling services for each order. PrintingForLess.com ensures that each bulk mailing effort meets postal service guidelines before it goes out.
\r\nDirect shipping from facilities: The company handles shipping directly from its facilities. If you have your own mailing list, you can send it to PrintingForLess.com, and it will remove any duplicate or inaccurate addresses. In most cases, however, you will need to rent a mailing list for one use, two uses or unlimited uses over a one-year period. If you rent a mailing list, you will be able to select specific addresses based on a variety of demographic options, allowing you to maximize the potential impact of your direct mailing campaign.
\r\nReasonable turnaround: The overall turnaround time for PrintingForLess.com is consistent with other services, though it's on the lengthy side of our average findings. Design can take up to two days, production can take another four or five days, and shipping time depends on the option you choose. First-class mail takes one to three days, while bulk mail takes two to nine days. Since PrintingForLess.com can handle up to 50,000 items per order, the turnaround time also depends on how many pieces need to be printed and shipped.
\r\nWhen we called the company, posing as a potential customer, we had a positive interaction with the customer service department. The rep we spoke with was courteous and took the time to go over the company's offerings. Throughout the conversation, they asked us questions about our supposed business and made helpful suggestions to make sure our direct mail marketing campaign would be successful. They asked about the area our business serves, our target audience and how often we wanted to get our promotional materials into mailboxes. At no point did we feel pressured to consider upgrading to higher-priced materials for our mailers, though we were told of their existence.
\r\nIf you prefer not to speak with a customer service rep, PrintingForLess.com also has a support email address, as well as an extensive FAQs section on its website.
\r\nImpressed as we were with this company, we did notice some drawbacks. Among the companies we examined, PrintingForLess.com's design options are among the most expensive. For a 5 x 7 postcard, we were told design could cost $90 to $129, depending on whether the final product would be one-sided. Sure, you will own the design afterward, but in our research, we found other companies that provide design services for less money.
\r\nFurthermore, PrintingForLess.com has no way of quantifying how your direct mailing campaign is going in terms of customer engagement. Some direct mailing companies offer telephone and online tracking to help you learn how effective your mailers were, as well as insights into what your potential customers want. The only tracking PrintingForLess.com offers is shipping tracking, which is helpful but doesn't provide any customer insights.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10122","widget":{"id":"10122","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://www.printingforless.com/","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5d3209045a215e07208b456f/pfl.png"}}},{"bullets":["Fast turnaround","High-volume mailing campaigns","Affordable design help"],"description":"Sometimes you need to promote your business to as many people as possible. For that, you need a direct mail company that can handle thousands of printed materials at a time. NextDayFlyers is our choice for large direct mail advertising campaigns because it can handle orders of up to 100,000 pieces. While it's highly unlikely that a small business would need such volume, that high ceiling makes a more common order of 5,000 pieces seem easily doable. \r\n\r\nNextDayFlyers has an average turnaround time of three to four weeks and offers many of the same services that other vendors do, including access to an in-house design team and direct mail list rentals. The company prints everything on materials certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best High-Volume","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best High-Volume","review":{"displayName":"Next Day Flyers","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/next-day-flyers/","id":"d3485ae82b7ca8c9d88f0b5ce6326f3b","url":"https://www.nextdayflyers.com/","review":{"pros":["Next Day Flyers offers the highest available volume of direct mail pieces per order – up to 100,000.","As its name implies, Next Day Flyers boasts a quick turnaround, regardless of the size of your order."],"cons":["The company does not provide marketing support services, such as customer response tracking or marketing consultations."],"fullReviewTest":"Next Day Flyers allows the highest number of mailers per campaign of any company we researched – up to 100,000 – making it our pick as the best direct mail service for high-volume needs. This company can help your business design, print and deliver massive campaigns in a matter of days.
\r\nNext Day Flyers has a clear, helpful breakdown of its prices on its website that makes it easy to estimate how much your project will cost. Below is a pricing example for a full-color, double-sided, 4 x 6 postcard, including printing and mailing services:
\r\nDuring our research, we called the company and posed as a potential customer to get a price quote. For a 5,000-piece, full-color, 4 x 6 postcard direct mailing campaign, we were quoted a price of roughly $1,980. We didn't get a precise figure, since many factors determine the ultimate price; however, we found Next Day Flyers' prices to be comparable to its competitors. Again, because several factors affect direct mailing prices, the amount you're quoted for your campaign may differ.
\r\nIn our search for the best high-volume direct mail marketing company, we sought vendors that provide quick turnaround, regardless of the order's size. Here are some of the features we found at Next Day Flyers that led us to recommend this company.
\r\nOf all the companies we researched, Next Day Flyers offers the highest number of direct mail pieces per order: up to 100,000 postcards, brochures or mail rack cards. It also boasts fast turnaround for large orders, with an average time of four days (some orders are even completed within a day). Next Day Flyers offers various support services to help small businesses run a successful campaign, including affordable design help, targeted mailing lists and in-house mailing services.
\r\nWhile Next Day Flyers has many features that led us to recommend it for high-volume orders, it has some limitations. It does not track customer responses, so you won't know how well your direct mail campaign is going. Its packages don't include any marketing consultation services either. Small businesses that don't have experience using this type of service may need expert advice on how to optimize a direct mail campaign, so it would be ideal if Next Day Flyers offered this.
\r\nAlthough the customer service representative we spoke to was nice, it was a little difficult to get information from them. Rather than discussing service options with us on the phone, they pointed us to the website for answers to our questions. This could easily be frustrating for small business owners who prefer to receive information from a live person who can provide context and answer follow-up questions.
\r\nThe customer service phone line is open 24 hours Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST on weekends. The company has a live chat app on its website and an email address for customer support. The company website also has a help center with a FAQs section and training videos that explain its online design services.
","fullReview":"After extensive research into numerous direct mailing solutions, we found Next Day Flyers offers the highest number of mailers per campaign of any company we examined – up to 100,000 – making it our pick as the best direct mail service for high-volume needs. Not only can the company help your business design, print and deliver massive campaigns, Next Day Flyers can also get everything through its printing and mailing services in a matter of days.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for direct mailing services, visit our best picks page.
\r\nThe cost of a direct mail order depends on several factors, including the type of mailers you want to have printed and shipped, the quantity you want printed, and the mailing method. During our research, we found that most vendors in this industry require you to call their sales team to get a quote, and while a few have pricing estimates or calculators on their websites, you often have to hunt for them.
\r\nThankfully, Next Day Flyers is different. It has a helpful breakdown of its prices posted clearly on its website that makes it easy to estimate how much your project will cost.
\r\nWhen we called the company, stating that we wanted to run a 5,000-piece, full-color, 4 x 6 postcard direct mailing campaign, we were quoted a price of roughly $1,980. We didn't get a precise figure, since many factors determine the ultimate price; however, we found Next Day Flyers' prices to be comparable to its competitors.
\r\nAgain, because several factors affect a price quote, the amount you're quoted for your campaign may differ from the rates we were quoted. Below are some pricing examples from the company's website that include printing and mailing.
\r\nFull-color, double-sided, 4 x 6-inch postcard:
\r\nFull-color, double-sided, 6 x 9-inch postcard:
\r\nFull-color, 8.5 x 11-inch, trifold brochure, printed on 100-pound glossy paper:
\r\nIn our search for the best high-volume direct mail marketing company, we sought vendors that provide quick turnaround, regardless of the order's size.
\r\nHere are some of the features we found at Next Day Flyers that led us to recommend this company.
\r\nTwo coastal production facilities: With the company's printing capacity split between two main production facilities on either coast – one in California and another in New Jersey – Next Day Flyers is able to quickly print and send mailers to any mailbox throughout the country. The company says it has a turnaround time of approximately four days, though some orders are completed the same day they're received.
\r\nHighest volume available: While speaking with a customer service representative during our research, we were told that the company can design, print, and ship up to 100,000 direct mail pieces, including postcards, brochures, and mail rack cards. In our research, we found that to be the highest number offered by any direct mail company on our list.
\r\nIn-house mailing services: Along with the company's production capabilities, Next Day Flyers can ship your entire direct mail marketing campaign from its in-house postal service. Deliveries take three to five days if sent via First Class Presort, or seven to 21 days with standard shipping. How long your campaign takes to reach your customers also depends on the United States Postal Service. It's important to note that first class is only available for orders with 500 or more pieces, while standard shipping requires 200 or more pieces.
\r\nFlexible shipping options: If you don't want to have Next Day Flyers fulfill and mail your campaign, you can pick up your order from one of its three California locations or its New Jersey location. However, that option is only viable if you're close to one of those pickup points.
\r\nAffordable design help: Along with printing and shipping, Next Day Flyers can help you design your mailer. You choose the cardstock, coating, size and fold style for the piece, then you discuss the details of your campaign with the design team via email. The company's design professionals present you with a design 24 hours later. Graphic design services aren't included with your order. If you use this service, it costs an additional $35.
\r\nQuality assurance: Each order goes through a 33-point quality assurance check. Before shipping your order, the company sends you a free proof to make sure the mailer meets your specifications.
\r\nMailing lists: Like all other direct mail companies, Next Day Flyers has targeted mailing lists available for purchase. You can select households in a specific area using several demographic data points to give your marketing campaign a more focused approach. While many vendors sell their lists, Next Day Flyers only rents them out. If you provide your own mailing list, the company will verify addresses for you, so no postage is wasted.
\r\nDuring our research, we called Next Day Flyers' customer service line, posing as a business owner and potential customer. Although the customer service representative was nice, it was a little difficult to get information from them. Rather than spend time on the phone discussing service options, they pointed us to the website to find answers for the questions we posed. While that's normally fine in today's high-tech world, it easily could be frustrating for small business owners who prefer to receive information over the phone.
\r\nThe customer service line is open 24 hours, Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific time on Saturday and Sunday. The company has a live chat app on the website and an email address for customer support. The company website also has a help center with training videos that explain its online design services, as well as a FAQs section.
\r\nWhile Next Day Flyers has many features that led us to recommend it for high-volume orders, there were a couple of things that were disappointing. First, it doesn't offer any sort of customer response tracking, which may be an issue if it's important to your business to know how well your direct mail campaign is going.
\r\nThe other shortcoming is that there are no marketing consultation services included in Next Day Flyers' packages. Small businesses that don't have experience using this type of service may need an expert to advise them on how to optimize the effectiveness of a direct mail campaign. We received some advice in our customer service call, but if you don't need to reach out to the company for help, you may never get proper guidance.
\r\nWhether you're a small business owner looking to dip your toe into direct mail marketing or a seasoned veteran of targeted mailers, you can't go wrong with PostcardMania. It has more than a decade of experience in the industry, an array of customization options, and speedy production and shipping.
\r\nThe company's all-in-one direct mail solution beats out the competition with its tracking system that shows you how customers react to your marketing campaigns. For these reasons and more, it earns our best pick for postcard mailings.
\r\nWhile PostcardMania offers a basic postcard printing price guide on its website, the full cost of a direct mail marketing campaign depends on many factors. As such, the final price tag will differ from one campaign to another.
\r\nTo find out how much a potential campaign would cost with PostcardMania, we used the same basic criteria we did for all the companies: The hypothetical campaign requires 5,000 full-color 4 x 6 postcards, to be designed by the company, and an accompanying mailing list of 5,000 households.
\r\nAfter discussing this campaign with a sales representative, we learned that the total cost of products and services (without sales tax) would be $1,492. The costs broke down as follows:
\r\nPostage costs are invoiced and paid separately. Once the mailers are ready to be shipped, the cost is calculated based on current USPS rates.
\r\nWe ran another estimate, this time for a campaign that included PostcardMania's Everywhere Small Business feature. For a 5,000-piece campaign, the cost was $1,200. However, there are additional monthly fees for this service after the initial three-month period
\r\nThe features of PostcardMania's direct mail service are what really differentiate it from other companies. According to the company's website, its direct mailing solution takes a \"Swiss Army knife\" approach to this particular type of marketing.
\r\nIf you design a direct mail marketing campaign with PostcardMania, here are some of the features you will have at your disposal:
\r\nPostcardMania offers two main campaign options: Direct Mail 2.0 and Everywhere Small Business. Here's what you can expect from each:
\r\nFeaturing four distinct steps that integrate the power of the internet with the company's direct mailing efforts, PostcardMania's Direct Mail 2.0 aims to bolster customer engagement with the following marketing techniques:
\r\nLike other add-ons, Direct Mail 2.0 comes at an additional cost. The company says this is \"pennies per piece,\" but the exact price depends on the complexity of the campaign.
\r\nIf the tracking and advertising options of Direct Mail 2.0 aren't enough for your needs, PostcardMania's Everywhere Small Business option gets your business in front of Facebook and Instagram users as well. This feature works like Direct Mail 2.0, except it also displays targeted ads using your direct mail campaign's assets on the social media platforms. It has a stronger phone call tracking system that displays a caller's full name, address, gender and age.
\r\nAccording to the estimate we received, Everywhere Small Business costs an extra 24 cents per piece, resulting in a $1,200 charge for 5,000 postcards. How much this feature costs to add to your mailing may differ, depending on the specifics of your postcard marketing campaign.
\r\nPostcardMania offers many different options for creating a targeted mailing list. The Everywhere Small Business option goes beyond print mailing, helping you reach customers via their social media accounts. Based on our experience, the company's highly personable and helpful customer service team will guide you toward the right offering for your business's needs.
\r\nThis provider may not be ideal if your business can't pay in full upfront for your chosen package. Additionally, PostcardMania's residential mailing lists are only available for three uses in a 90-day period, limiting your options for campaign length.
\r\nDuring our research, we had an exemplary customer service experience with PostcardMania. When we reached out as a potential customer, the customer service representative not only showed interest in our hypothetical company, but also asked follow-up questions to get a quote together for us quickly. They sent that quote directly to us by email.
\r\nTheir answers to our questions were easy to understand, and they were friendly through the entire process.
\r\nIn case you don't want to speak with someone over the phone, PostcardMania offers live chat and a FAQs section on its website.
","fullReview":"Whether you're a small business owner looking to dip your toe into direct mail marketing or a seasoned veteran of targeted mailers, you can't go wrong with PostcardMania. It has more than a decade of experience in the industry, offers a wide range of customization options, and has speedy production and shipping times. The company's all-in-one direct mail solution beats out the competition with its tracking system that lets you learn how customers react to your marketing campaigns.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for direct mailing services, visit our best picks page.
\r\nCosts for direct mail marketing campaigns depend on many factors. As such, the final price tag that you're quoted will differ from one campaign to another, and from the pricing we received in our testing.
\r\nTo find out how much a potential campaign would cost with PostcardMania, we used the basic set of criteria that we used in all of our testing: The hypothetical campaign requires 5,000 full-color 6 x 8.5 postcards, to be designed by the company, and an accompanying mailing list of 5,000 households.
\r\nAfter discussing this campaign with a sales representative, we learned that the total cost of products and services without sales tax would be $1,357. The costs broke down as follows:
\r\nThe sales rep we spoke to recommended running the campaign with two different run times to maximize our efficacy. Under that plan, we would need to double the number of cards printed. If we went with that option, the postcard printing price and the addressing service would have doubled to $1,265 and $550, respectively. The final total without sales tax was quoted at $2,374.
\r\nIt's important to note that postage costs are invoiced and paid separately. Once the mailers are ready to be shipped, the cost is calculated based on current United States Postal Service rates.
\r\nWe ran another estimate that included PostcardMania's Everywhere Small Business feature. For a 5,000-piece campaign, the cost was $800, while a 10,000 campaign was double at $1,600. But there are additional monthly fees for this service after the initial three-month period, so that's something to keep in mind.
\r\nThe features associated with PostcardMania's direct mail service are what really differentiate it from other companies. According to the company's website, its direct mailing solution takes a \"Swiss Army knife\" approach to this particular brand of marketing.
\r\nIf you design a direct mail marketing campaign with PostcardMania, here are some of the features you will have at your disposal.
\r\nDirect Mail 2.0: Featuring four distinct steps that integrate the power of the internet with the company's direct mailing efforts, PostcardMania's Direct Mail 2.0 aims to bolster customer engagement using the following marketing techniques:
\r\nLike other add-ons, Direct Mail 2.0 comes with an additional cost. The company says this is \"pennies per piece,\" but the price varies depending on the complexity of the campaign.
\r\nEverywhere Small Business: If the tracking and advertising options of Direct Mail 2.0 aren't enough for your needs, PostcardMania's Everywhere Small Business option gets your business in front of Facebook and Instagram users as well. This feature works like Direct Mail 2.0, except it also displays targeted ads using your direct mail campaign's assets on the social media platforms. It has a stronger phone call tracking system that displays a caller's full name, address, gender and age.
\r\nEverywhere Small Business has an additional cost. According to the estimate we received, the feature costs an extra 16 cents per piece, resulting in an $800 charge for 5,000 postcards. How much this feature costs to add to your mailing may differ, depending on the specifics of your postcard marketing campaign.
\r\nQuick turnaround: The time it takes for a campaign to be printed and shipped largely depends on the company and how many pieces need to be produced. According to PostcardMania, its average turnaround is somewhere between three and four weeks. Broken down even further, that time includes three to five business days for the first proof, six days to print and approximately one week to get everything shipped out.
\r\nFlexible design options: Like other direct mailing companies, PostcardMania gives you a choice between uploading your own postcard designs or hiring its in-house team to create something new for you. This process can take up to two days, though more complex graphic design options can take three or four days. What makes this feature impressive is that it allows you to make an unlimited number of revisions before anything goes to print, giving you ample opportunity to perfect your message.
\r\nOther mailer types available: While this review focuses on PostcardMania's postcard options, which include standard 4.25 x 6 cards and larger 6 x 11 postcards, the company can also print folders, door hangers, business cards and other items.
\r\nDuring our research, we had an exemplary customer service experience. Our process demands that we pose as a potential customer and call a vendor's customer service hotline with questions. The customer service representative at PostcardMania not only showed interest in our supposed company, but also asked follow-up questions to get a quote together for us quickly. They sent that quote directly to us by email.
\r\nTheir answers to our questions were easy to understand and well-intentioned. They also told us about additional marketing services that they thought would be useful to us, such as the company's Everywhere Small Business plan.
\r\nIn case you need customer service and don't want to speak with someone over the phone, PostcardMania has live chat and a FAQs section on its website.
\r\nWhile PostcardMania is a strong option for postcard-based direct mailing campaigns, there are some caveats to keep in mind. When setting up an order, you will be expected to pay the entire bill upfront before any work is done.
\r\nIf you're looking for specific information on PostcardMania's website, you may find it a little difficult to locate. While flashy colors and videos work for most places on the web, PostcardMania's site is cluttered, and we had to hunt around for some of the information we needed, as it was either buried in menus or just hard to find.
\r\nAny mailing lists you get through PostcardMania are 90-day rentals that you can use a maximum of three times. Other companies will sell you a mailing list, allowing you to use it as you please. This isn't too much of a drawback, however, as mailing lists can become outdated.
\r\nWe also must note that, while its turnaround time is good, we found other companies with slightly faster processes. However, when others are faster, it's by one week at most, and even then, turnaround times vary greatly based on each campaign's specifications.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10122","widget":{"id":"10122","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"http://www.buyerzone.com/marketing/direct-mail-services/rfq-direct-mail-services/","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rev/prod/ce/58714-postcardmania-box.jpg"}}}]},{"__typename":"SectionWidget","id":"get-a-quote","isInToc":false,"type":"widget","title":"Find the Right Direct Mailing Service for Your Business","widget":{"widgetId":"10122"}},{"__typename":"SectionOurApproach","id":null,"isInToc":false,"type":"ourapproach","isActive":null,"ourapproach":{"isClonable":false,"servicesConsidered":"15","servicesTested":"5","servicesSelected":"4","linkText":"How we evaluate products and services","linkUrl":"mailto:editor@business.com"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"compare-our-best-picks","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Compare Our Best Picks","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"| \r\n | Vistaprint | \r\nPrintingForLess.com | \r\nNext Day Flyers | \r\nPostcardMania | \r\n
| Standard postcard pricing | \r\nNot published | \r\nStarting at $0.28 each | \r\nStarting at $0.30 each | \r\nStarting at $0.27 each | \r\n
| Online design tool or file upload | \r\nBoth | \r\nFile upload | \r\nBoth | \r\nFile upload | \r\n
| Order minimum | \r\nN/A | \r\n500 | \r\n250 | \r\n1,000 | \r\n
Although email and SMS may have surpassed physical mail as the most common method of sending messages, the United States Postal Service delivers over 187 million pieces of first-class mail each day.
\r\nWith a direct mailing service, you can send postcards, brochures and other printed items to hundreds, if not thousands, of existing and potential customers. It differs from other types of snail-mail marketing in that it allows business owners to cater to a certain target audience. If you're looking to reach a specific demographic or ZIP code, nearly every direct mail company will be able to generate an address list for that subset of the population. You can then purchase or rent the list for use in your direct mail marketing campaign.
\r\nAlong with sending out your material, direct mail services generally offer design and printing solutions. This may save you time and money, especially if you don't have a designer on staff or an in-house printer that can produce the quantities of printed materials you need.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionReviews","id":"our-reviews","isInToc":true,"type":"reviews","title":"Our Reviews","reviews":[{"title":"PrintingForLess.com"},{"title":"Next Day Flyers"},{"title":"PostcardMania"},{"title":"Vistaprint"}]},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"pricing","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Pricing for Direct Mailing Services","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nWhen you look for a direct mailing service that fits your business's needs, it will quickly be apparent that most companies don't share their pricing details online. While that may be frustrating, especially if you're looking to get an idea of the cost before you commit to a direct mail campaign, the omission of a pricing structure is for good reason: No two orders are the same.
\r\nWhether you want postcards or brochures, regular card stock or 100-pound glossy paper, black-and-white or color printing, several factors affect how much orders cost. Some companies have quote calculators on their websites that can give you a general idea of how much your project will cost, but most of the time, you will have to call a sales representative to go over the specifications of your project before you can find out pricing.
\r\nGenerally speaking, these are the expenses you can expect from direct mailing:
\r\nAlong with the design, printing, and shipping services direct mail companies offer, some vendors offer add-ons like response rate tracking, which can give you valuable data about your customers and the effectiveness of your campaign. Whether you need those is up to you, though they can help you decide if you're getting a good return on investment from your marketing campaign.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionBuyingGuide","id":"benefits","isInToc":true,"type":"buying-guide","title":"Buying Guide","containers":[{"title":"Benefits of Direct Mail Services","html":"\nThere are many benefits of working with a direct mail service rather than doing it yourself. Here are some benefits to consider:
\r\nBefore you decide to work with any direct mail company, consider these four factors:
\r\nIt may seem obvious, but before choosing a direct mail company, make sure it has experience in printing, working with the USPS and handling large-volume orders. A company that knows what it's doing will save you time, energy, and money in the long run, as it's better equipped to catch errors, offer meaningful advice and work efficiently, ensuring a successful campaign.
\r\nThe quality of address lists is arguably one of the most important factors in a direct mail company. When you start speaking with different companies, ask about the quality of their address lists, and make sure they can help you target customers based on geographic and demographic data.
\r\nAnother important factor to consider with a direct mail company is its ability to track your order and the progress of your campaign. Proper tracking capabilities not only ensure your mail is being delivered to the correct addresses at the correct time, but also allow you to manage the effectiveness of your campaign and see how you can improve in the future.
\r\nFor any small business, working with a single company that can handle the entire process in question is preferable to juggling multiple vendors. For direct mailing, look for a service that offers strategy, design, printing, mailing and tracking services.
\n"},{"title":"Direct Mailing Services FAQs","html":"\nIf you have ever received a piece of advertising mail without requesting it, you have experienced direct mail. Direct mail marketing is any type of physical advertising material a business sends through the mail with the goal of making a sale.
\r\nAn effective direct mail campaign relies on multiple factors to interest potential customers in your product. According to a neuroscience study by Ipsos, direct mail campaigns work because they require less effort to understand than digital equivalents. For this reason, the design must be eye-catching and the copy easy to understand. The mailers should also be relevant to the interests or needs of your target market.
\r\nYou can choose from a variety of mailer formats. These are the most common:
\r\nAs with most marketing efforts, an effective direct mail campaign is one that gets consumers through the door. While each campaign is unique to the business running it, the Direct Marketing Association found in recent years that direct mail has a 4.4% response rate versus email's 0.12%.
\r\nEvery Door Direct Mail is a direct mail service that allows you to send mailers to a specific mail route or area. Rather than relying on mailing lists that target certain demographics, EDDM is an indiscriminate method designed to reach as many residents as possible within a specific geographic area.
\r\nDirect mailing differs from EDDM in that you are paying to choose who gets your mailer at a granular level. This allows you to cater to certain demographics through targeted mailing lists. EDDM, on the other hand, targets homes in a specific area, regardless of demographics. For this reason, EDDM is generally cheaper than direct mail advertising.
\r\nWith traditional direct mail, there are no size restrictions on the items you send. If you opt for EDDM, however, you need to follow some guidelines when designing your mailers:
\r\nTo properly evaluate direct mailing services, we dedicated significant time to learning what plans, features and options make a good service. Our process began with compiling a list of vendors. In addition to the companies we came across in our independent research, we considered vendor lists and reviews from other sources and requests from companies that wanted to be on our list.
\r\nOnce we had our initial list, we visited each company's website, noting its direct mail offerings and pricing structures when available. We also sought out customer testimonials and examples of previous campaigns from each company.
\r\nAfter gathering information about each company, we compared services and narrowed our list based on the criteria below. We called each company on our short list and spoke with a customer service or sales representative to get details about the company's services and pricing, as well as a taste of how they treat their customers. During our conversations, we posed as a potential customer and asked each representative the same questions, noting our experience for each interaction. We compared pricing, availability of features and our experience with company representatives to determine our best picks.
\r\nHere are the criteria we considered when evaluating each vendor:
\r\n