Direct Mail Marketing

Design, print, and mail campaigns that reach the right people — from local EDDM drops to targeted regional mailings across New York.

What Is Direct Mail Marketing?

Direct mail marketing is advertising delivered physically — postcards, letters, brochures, and catalogs sent directly to a recipient's mailbox. Unlike digital ads, direct mail can't be blocked, filtered, or scrolled past. It arrives in the recipient's hands on its own, competes with nothing else on the page, and stays in the home until someone picks it up.

For local and regional businesses, direct mail remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reach a defined audience. USPS data consistently shows that physical mail generates higher response rates than email for most consumer categories — and for businesses targeting specific neighborhoods, EDDM delivers blanket coverage at the lowest per-piece postage rate available.

Types of Direct Mail

The right format depends on your goal, audience, and budget. Each mail piece type has different size requirements, postage rates, and production considerations.

Postcards

The most cost-effective format. No envelope, no opening required — your message is visible the moment it lands. Best for promotions, announcements, and EDDM campaigns.

Letters & Envelopes

Ideal for personalized communications, fundraising appeals, and financial mailings. First-Class letters include forwarding and return service.

Self-Mailers & Brochures

Folded pieces that mail without an envelope. Good for newsletters, menus, and multi-panel promotional pieces at letter-rate postage.

EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)

Deliver to every address on selected carrier routes — no mailing list needed. The lowest per-piece rate available for local saturation campaigns.

Catalogs & Flats

Larger pieces that command attention. Higher postage than letters but more real estate for product-heavy content or detailed service offerings.

How a Direct Mail Campaign Works

A full-service campaign with Cornerstone covers every step from list to delivery. Here's the process:

Define Your Audience

Choose between a targeted mailing list (specific demographics, geographic area, or customer type) or EDDM for blanket neighborhood coverage.

Design Your Mail Piece

Create artwork sized to USPS specifications. Cornerstone provides free templates for every standard format to ensure your design qualifies for automation rates.

Clean & Process Your List

Every list we handle goes through NCOA, CASS, and DPV processing to update moved addresses and remove undeliverables before printing.

Print & Presort

We print, address, and presort your mailing to the deepest qualifying level — carrier route, 5-digit, AADC — to maximize your postage discount.

Permit & Drop

We submit the postage statement and enter your mail at the USPS facility. You don't need your own permit — we can mail under ours.

Direct Mail Marketing in the Hudson Valley & New York

Cornerstone Services has been producing direct mail campaigns for businesses across Ulster, Dutchess, and Orange counties since 1998. We're based in New Paltz, NY — which means we're familiar with local carrier routes, post office entry points, and the businesses and neighborhoods your mail is reaching.

We work with local retailers, restaurants, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and regional brands running campaigns across the Hudson Valley and broader New York market. Whether you're targeting a single ZIP code or running a multi-county saturation campaign, we handle the full production and mailing in-house.

Nonprofits in the region can qualify for significantly reduced postage rates through the USPS nonprofit mailing program — often saving 40–60% compared to commercial rates.

Free Direct Mail Tools

Before you start your campaign, use these resources to plan your format, budget, and specs:

Current Postage Rates USPS Mail Piece Size Chart Free USPS Templates Mailing Permits Guide Postal Dictionary Non-Profit Mailing Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is direct mail marketing?

Direct mail marketing is a form of advertising where physical mail pieces — postcards, letters, brochures, or catalogs — are sent directly to a targeted list of recipients. Unlike digital advertising, direct mail lands in the recipient's hands with no algorithm, no inbox filter, and no competition on the page. Response rates for direct mail consistently outperform email for most B2C categories.

How much does a direct mail campaign cost?

Total cost depends on format, quantity, and postage class. A typical postcard campaign (design, print, and postage) runs between $0.50 and $1.00 per piece at volume. EDDM campaigns can come in lower. Nonprofit organizations qualify for reduced postage rates that can cut the postage portion nearly in half.

What is direct mail advertising?

Direct mail advertising refers specifically to promotional mail pieces — coupons, special offers, product announcements, and sale promotions — sent to a targeted audience. It's distinct from transactional mail (invoices, statements) and is typically sent under USPS Marketing Mail rates.

How effective is direct mail compared to email marketing?

Direct mail typically achieves higher response rates than email for most consumer categories. The USPS Household Diary Study consistently shows that physical mail receives more engagement time than digital ads. The tradeoff is cost — direct mail costs more per piece than email — but the higher response rate often produces a comparable or better ROI for local and regional campaigns.

Do I need a mailing permit for a direct mail campaign?

Not necessarily. For EDDM Retail campaigns under 5,000 pieces, no permit is required. For larger or targeted mailings, Cornerstone can mail under our permit on your behalf — you don't need to set up your own account to get started.

Ready to Start a Campaign?

Tell us your goal, your area, and your budget — we'll recommend the right format, estimate your postage, and handle everything from design to delivery.

Get a Free Estimate Call (845) 255-5722

Ready to Start Your Next Mailing?

Get a free estimate from Hudson Valley's most trusted direct mail team. 2.3M+ pieces mailed and counting.

Get Free Estimate Call (845) 255-5722