Step 2: Mailing Piece Design

Mailing piece design is crucial for the success of any direct mailing campaign. Design the piece for the market you are trying to attract. A mailing piece for your existing clients will not be the same as a mailing piece going out to potential clients who do not know you or your business.

A mailing piece should be simple and attractive. Remember that in many cases the goal is to get the customer to call you, not to make a sale with the mailing piece. Be simple and direct in your mailer so that in the one to three seconds you have while people are looking through their mail, your piece stands out and generates a call.

Types of mailers:
There are many types of mailing pieces. Just look in your mailbox and you will see a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. As for a mailing piece, you have three basic options for your mailing piece. You can mail a letter-sized piece, a flat-sized piece, or a post card. Each type of mailing has a different postage rate. Go to the postage rate page to see price details.

Post card Sized Mail:
Min: 3.5 x 5
Max: 4.25 x 6
Thickness: .007

Letters may be inserted into standard envelopes and addresses or they may be inserted into a window envelope with the addresses showing through the window. A customized mail-merged letter with a scanned signature and a flyer or business card inserted into the envelope is a common way to get a great deal of information to your clients and still personalize the mailing piece.

The flyer is a simple self-mailer that is a stand-alone document with room on the front of the piece for the mailing address and the bulk permit. Use all of the folded panels for your advertising. Be sure to fold the piece so that the open flap is on the top and the closed edge is on the bottom to limit the number of tabs needed to seal the piece and get the lowest possible postage.

One half of an 8-1/2 inch by 11 inch sheet of paper is an 8-1/2 inch wide by 5 ½ inches tall card. This size piece stands out well from the rest of the mail and is relatively inexpensive.

For first class mail, the postcard is only 6 inches wide by 4 inches high. Pieces larger than that pay the first class rate.

We work with several graphic designers and after discussing you design ideas we will refer you to the most appropriate designer. If you already have a graphics designer, we will be happy to talk the them about design details and review the proof to be sure it meets all USPS mailing requirements.

GO TO STEP 3: PRINTING