What Is EDDM? The Cheapest Way to Reach Every Door in Your Neighborhood
What Is EDDM? The Cheapest Way to Reach Every Door in Your Neighborhood
If you run a local business in Elizabethtown, Radcliff, or anywhere in Hardin County, Kentucky, you have probably asked yourself the same question every business owner eventually asks: how do I get my name in front of every potential customer in my area without burning through my entire marketing budget?
The answer is EDDM — Every Door Direct Mail. And once you understand what EDDM mailing actually is, how little it costs, and how easy it is to execute, you will wonder why you did not start sooner.
What Is EDDM Mailing?
EDDM stands for Every Door Direct Mail, a program offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows businesses to send mail to every address on a postal carrier route — without needing a mailing list, without purchasing individual addresses, and without paying full postage rates.
Instead of targeting specific people by name, EDDM mailing targets entire neighborhoods. You pick the carrier routes you want, design your postcard or flyer, and USPS delivers it to every single mailbox on those routes. That means every home, every apartment, and every business on the route gets your piece.
There is no need to buy a mailing list. There is no need to sort by demographics. You simply choose the ZIP codes and carrier routes that matter to your business, and the mail goes out.
How EDDM Differs from Standard Bulk Mail
Traditional bulk mail (also called Standard Mail or USPS Marketing Mail) requires a bulk mail permit, a mailing list with individual names and addresses, and often a minimum quantity of 200 pieces. You also pay higher per-piece postage.
EDDM eliminates most of those barriers. There is no permit required for EDDM Retail, no mailing list to purchase, and the postage rate is significantly lower. You are paying for saturation coverage — every door on a route — rather than cherry-picking individual addresses.
EDDM Cost Breakdown: Why It Is the Cheapest Direct Mail Option
The biggest reason local businesses in Elizabethtown and Radcliff choose EDDM is cost. When you compare EDDM postage rates to standard first-class mail or even bulk mail rates, the savings are dramatic.
| Mail Type | Postage Per Piece | Mailing List Required? | Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail | $0.73 | Yes | No |
| USPS Marketing Mail (Bulk) | $0.30 – $0.50 | Yes | Yes |
| EDDM Retail | $0.223 | No | No |
At just over 22 cents per piece, EDDM postage is roughly one-third the cost of first-class postage. And because you do not need to buy a mailing list — which can cost anywhere from $0.05 to $0.25 per address — your total cost per household drops even further.
Total EDDM Cost Per Piece (Including Printing)
Postage is only part of the equation. You also need to factor in design and printing costs. Here is what a typical EDDM campaign looks like when you work with a local print shop like Horizon Pack and Ship in Elizabethtown:
| Component | Cost Per Piece (500 qty) | Cost Per Piece (1,000 qty) | Cost Per Piece (5,000 qty) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDDM Postage | $0.223 | $0.223 | $0.223 |
| Postcard Printing (6.5x9) | $0.15 – $0.25 | $0.08 – $0.15 | $0.04 – $0.08 |
| Design (if needed) | $0.10 – $0.20 | $0.05 – $0.10 | $0.02 – $0.04 |
| Total Per Piece | $0.47 – $0.67 | $0.35 – $0.47 | $0.28 – $0.34 |
At scale, you can reach every household on a carrier route for roughly 30 cents each — design, printing, and postage included. Compare that to a single Facebook ad click that might cost you $1.50 to $3.00 and disappear from someone's feed in seconds. EDDM postcards sit on kitchen counters for days.
EDDM vs Traditional Direct Mail: What Is the Difference?
Business owners often confuse EDDM with traditional direct mail. They are related but fundamentally different strategies. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | EDDM | Traditional Direct Mail |
|---|---|---|
| Targeting Method | Carrier routes (geographic) | Individual addresses (demographic) |
| Mailing List | Not required | Required (purchased or built) |
| Postage Rate | $0.223 per piece | $0.30 – $0.73 per piece |
| Minimum Quantity | 200 per route, per day | 200 minimum for bulk rate |
| Maximum Quantity | 5,000 per day (EDDM Retail) | No limit |
| Permit Needed | No (EDDM Retail) | Yes (for bulk rates) |
| Best For | Local saturation marketing | Targeted campaigns to specific audiences |
| Personalization | No individual names | Personalized with recipient names |
When should you use EDDM over traditional direct mail? If your business serves everyone in a geographic area — like a restaurant, HVAC company, or real estate agent in Hardin County — EDDM is almost always the smarter choice. You get broader reach at a lower cost. Traditional direct mail makes more sense when you need to reach a very specific demographic that does not align with geography, such as high-income homeowners across multiple counties.
Who Does EDDM Work Best For?
EDDM is built for local businesses that serve a defined geographic area. If your customers live within a 10- to 15-mile radius of your location, EDDM mailing is one of the most cost-effective marketing channels available. Here are the industries that see the best results:
Restaurants and Food Service
Grand openings, weekly specials, catering menus, and coupon offers all perform exceptionally well as EDDM postcards. A restaurant in Elizabethtown can blanket surrounding neighborhoods with a menu card for less than the cost of a single newspaper ad. Delivery and takeout businesses near Fort Knox see especially strong returns, reaching military families who are always looking for local dining options.
Home Service Contractors
HVAC companies, plumbers, roofers, electricians, landscapers, and cleaning services thrive with EDDM. Homeowners keep these postcards on their refrigerators for months — and when the furnace breaks down in January, they call the number on that magnet-style postcard. Contractors serving Radcliff and the Fort Knox area can target specific subdivisions with seasonal offers.
Real Estate Agents
Just-listed cards, just-sold announcements, market update mailers, and neighborhood farming campaigns are a staple of real estate marketing. EDDM lets agents saturate specific neighborhoods in Hardin County without paying for a targeted mailing list. It is the most affordable way to establish yourself as the go-to agent in a community.
Dental and Medical Practices
New patient specials, office announcements, and seasonal health reminders reach every household in the practice's service area. A dental office near Elizabethtown can target routes within a five-mile radius and consistently fill its appointment book.
Fitness Studios and Gyms
New Year promotions, grand opening announcements, and free trial offers convert well when they land in every mailbox in the neighborhood. Gyms depend on proximity — people will not drive 30 minutes to work out — making EDDM's geographic targeting a natural fit.
Automotive Services
Oil change specials, tire deals, and seasonal inspection reminders keep auto shops top-of-mind. A shop in Radcliff can target routes near Fort Knox and reach thousands of vehicle owners who need regular maintenance.
Retail Stores and Boutiques
Sale announcements, grand openings, and holiday promotions drive foot traffic when they land in local mailboxes. Small retailers competing with big-box stores benefit from the personal, tangible feel of a well-designed postcard.
How the EDDM Process Works Step by Step
Running an EDDM campaign is straightforward, but there are specific requirements you need to follow. Here is how it works from start to finish:
- Choose your carrier routes. Use the USPS EDDM Online Tool to search by ZIP code. You can see exactly how many residential and business addresses are on each route, along with basic demographic data like average household income, age range, and household size. For example, you can look up routes in Elizabethtown (42701), Radcliff (40160), or Vine Grove (40175) and pick the ones that match your target market.
- Design your mailpiece. EDDM postcards must meet specific size requirements. The most popular sizes are 6.5" x 9", 8.5" x 11", and 6.5" x 12". Your piece must be larger than a standard letter-sized envelope. This is where working with a local print shop pays off — they know the specs and can help you avoid costly mistakes.
- Print your postcards. Quality matters. Full-color, double-sided postcards on thick cardstock (14pt or 16pt) make the best impression. At Horizon Pack and Ship's Radcliff location, we handle EDDM printing through our professional print fulfillment network, ensuring your cards look sharp and meet every USPS specification.
- Bundle and prepare. EDDM mailpieces must be bundled in groups and accompanied by facing slips for each carrier route. Each bundle goes to a specific route. This is the step where many DIY mailers make errors — incorrect bundling means your mail gets rejected at the post office.
- Drop off at the post office. You deliver the bundled mail to the post office that serves your selected carrier routes, pay the postage, and USPS handles delivery. Most deliveries happen within 3 to 7 business days.
EDDM Postcard Sizes and Requirements
USPS has strict size requirements for EDDM mailpieces. If your piece does not meet these specs, it will be rejected. Here are the approved EDDM sizes:
| Size | Dimensions | Popular Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard EDDM Postcard | 6.5" x 9" | Coupons, service ads, event promos |
| Large EDDM Postcard | 8.5" x 11" | Menus, real estate listings, detailed offers |
| Jumbo EDDM Postcard | 6.5" x 12" | High-impact branding, grand openings |
| EDDM Flat | 12" x 15" (max) | Catalogs, newsletters, magazines |
The key rule: your mailpiece must be at least 6.125" x 11.5", or 6.25" high with an aspect ratio greater than 1.3. It also cannot exceed 12" x 15" or weigh more than 3.3 ounces. Every EDDM piece must include the text "ECRWSS" in the address block area along with "Residential Customer" or "Postal Customer" as the addressee.
EDDM Tips for Better Results
Sending EDDM postcards is easy. Getting strong results from them takes a bit more strategy. Here are the tips that make the difference between a mailer that gets tossed and one that drives business:
- Use a bold, clear headline. You have about two seconds to grab attention. Lead with a benefit or offer, not your company name.
- Include a strong offer. A specific discount, free consultation, or limited-time deal gives people a reason to act. "20% Off Your First HVAC Service" beats "We Do HVAC" every time.
- Add a deadline. Urgency drives action. "Offer expires May 31" creates a reason to call now instead of later.
- Use high-quality images. Professional photography outperforms stock images. Show your actual location, your team, or your finished work.
- Make your call to action obvious. Phone number, website, and address should be easy to find. Include a QR code that links to your website or a special landing page.
- Mail consistently. One mailing builds awareness. Three to five mailings over a few months build trust and drive conversions. The businesses that see the best EDDM results are the ones that mail every month or every quarter.
- Track your results. Use a unique phone number, promo code, or landing page URL so you know exactly how many responses each mailing generates.
Why Work with a Local Print Shop for EDDM?
You can technically handle EDDM entirely on your own — design the piece, order prints online, bundle them yourself, and haul them to the post office. But most business owners in Elizabethtown and Radcliff quickly realize that the time investment is not worth the savings.
When you work with Horizon Pack and Ship, we handle the entire process. We design your EDDM postcard, print it on professional-grade cardstock through our print fulfillment network, bundle it to USPS specifications, and can guide you through the mailing process. You focus on running your business while we handle the logistics.
For businesses in Hardin County, having a local partner who understands the area makes a difference. We know which carrier routes cover the neighborhoods around Fort Knox. We know which ZIP codes hit the growing subdivisions in Elizabethtown. And we know how to design a postcard that resonates with Kentucky customers.
Frequently Asked Questions About EDDM
How long does EDDM take to deliver?
Once your mailing is dropped off at the post office, delivery typically takes 3 to 7 business days. Plan your campaign timing accordingly — if you are promoting a weekend event, drop your mail at least two weeks in advance.
Can I target specific demographics with EDDM?
EDDM targets carrier routes, not individuals. However, the USPS EDDM tool provides demographic data for each route, including average household income, age range, and household size. You can use this data to select routes that align with your target customer profile.
What is the minimum number of pieces for EDDM?
The minimum is 200 pieces per carrier route per day. The maximum for EDDM Retail is 5,000 pieces per day. If you need to mail more than 5,000 pieces, you can use EDDM BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit), which requires a bulk mail permit but has no daily limit.
Can apartments and PO boxes receive EDDM?
EDDM delivers to every active delivery point on a carrier route, including apartments. PO Boxes are generally not included unless they are the primary delivery method for that address.
Is EDDM available nationwide?
Yes. EDDM is available through every USPS post office in the country. Whether you are mailing in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, or anywhere else in the United States, the program works the same way.
Start Your First EDDM Campaign Today
Every Door Direct Mail is the most affordable, most accessible direct mail option for local businesses. At under 23 cents per piece for postage — with no mailing list and no permit required — it removes every barrier that keeps small businesses from reaching their neighbors.
If you are a business owner in Elizabethtown, Radcliff, or Hardin County and you want to put your brand in front of every household in your area, EDDM is where you start.
Horizon Pack and Ship handles EDDM from start to finish — design, professional printing, bundling, and mailing preparation. Visit us at our Elizabethtown location or our Radcliff location to get a free quote on your first EDDM postcard campaign. Walk in, call, or reach out online — we will have your postcards in mailboxes within two weeks.
