How Much Do Postcards Cost? Complete 2026 Pricing Guide
If you're considering sending postcards, here's the bottom line: the current price for mailing a standard postcard using First-Class Mail through USPS is $0.61 as of July 2025. But if you're planning a business campaign, you can mail postcards for as little as $0.247 each using bulk mailing options—and even less with the right setup.
At Mail Processing Associates, we've been helping Central Florida businesses with postcard campaigns since 1989. We handle design, printing, and mailing under one roof, which means you get one quote, one point of contact, and one company accountable for getting your postcards into mailboxes.
Need a quick quote? Call us at (863) 687-6945 or request a quote online—we typically respond within a few hours.
Understanding Postcard Postage Rates
Postcard postage rates vary significantly depending on how you mail. The difference between dropping a single postcard at the post office versus running a bulk campaign can mean 60% or more in savings per piece.
Current USPS Postage Rates for Postcards (July 2025)
Single-Piece First-Class Mail: Standard postcards cost $0.61 each. International postcards cost $1.70 each.
Bulk and Commercial Rates: EDDM Retail runs $0.247 per piece. EDDM BMEU ranges from $0.242 to $0.291 per piece depending on entry point. Marketing Mail (presorted) costs $0.355 to $0.419 per piece. Nonprofit Marketing Mail offers the best rates at $0.132 to $0.181 per piece.
To qualify for the postcard rate, your piece must meet size requirements: minimum 3.5" x 5", maximum 4.25" x 6" for standard First-Class, and thickness between 0.007" and 0.016". Anything larger gets classified as a letter or flat, which costs more.
Factors Affecting Postage Costs
Size and Weight: Larger or heavier postcards cost more. The 4.25" x 6" standard postcard is the sweet spot for First-Class rates. If you want a jumbo postcard like 6" x 11", you'll need to use Marketing Mail or EDDM.
Volume: This is where the real savings kick in. Mailing 200+ pieces opens up EDDM. Mailing 500+ pieces qualifies you for presorted Marketing Mail discounts. The more you mail, the lower your per-piece cost.
Preparation: USPS rewards mailers who do the sorting work. Presorted mail, automation-compatible addresses, and drop-shipping to destination facilities all reduce your rates.
Comparing Postcard and Letter Rates
Postcards beat letters on cost every time. A First-Class postcard costs $0.61 while a First-Class letter runs $0.78. At bulk rates, Marketing Mail postcards start at $0.355 per piece, and EDDM postcards cost just $0.247 each.
Beyond cost, postcards have another advantage: recipients see your message immediately without opening an envelope. For promotional campaigns, that instant visibility often translates to higher response rates.
Sending Postcards Domestically and Internationally
Domestic Postcard Mailing
For sending postcards within the United States, First-Class Mail is the default option for small quantities. A standard postcard costs $0.61 and typically arrives within 1-5 business days.
If you're using Forever Stamps, they work for postcards too—though you'll overpay slightly since a Forever Stamp is valued at the current letter rate of $0.78. USPS sells postcard-specific stamps at the correct rate.
For business mailings of any significant volume, First-Class Mail rarely makes economic sense. Once you're sending 200+ pieces, EDDM or Marketing Mail will save you 50-70% on postage alone.
International Postcard Rates
Sending postcards internationally requires a First-Class Mail International stamp at $1.70 per piece for postcards up to 1 ounce. Delivery times vary widely—expect 7 days to several weeks depending on destination.
Bulk Mailing and Discounts
This is where postcard marketing gets interesting. Bulk mailing options can cut your postage costs by more than half.
Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)
EDDM is USPS's program for reaching every address in a specific geographic area without needing a mailing list. It's ideal for local businesses like restaurants, retailers, HVAC contractors, and real estate agents.
Current EDDM Rates: EDDM Retail (self-service) costs $0.247 per piece. EDDM BMEU (through a mail house) ranges from $0.242 to $0.291 per piece.
You select postal routes using USPS's online tool, design your postcard to EDDM specifications, and deliver bundled mail to the post office. Every home and business on those routes receives your piece.
EDDM requires a minimum of 200 pieces and maximum of 5,000 per day per ZIP code. Your postcard must be oversized—minimum 6.125" x 11.5" for Retail. There's no individual addressing; pieces are delivered to "Postal Customer."
The tradeoff is zero targeting. You're reaching everyone on a route regardless of whether they're your ideal customer. Response rates are typically lower than targeted mailings, but the math often works because postage is so cheap.
At Mail Processing Associates, we handle EDDM campaigns from design to delivery. We'll help you select the right routes, design a compliant piece, print it, and get it into the mail stream. Call (863) 687-6945 for a quote.
Presorted and Marketing Mail
For targeted campaigns where you have a mailing list, Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) offers significant discounts over First-Class.
Marketing Mail rates range from $0.355 to $0.419 per piece for automation letters and postcards. Nonprofits get even better rates at $0.132 to $0.181 per piece.
Requirements include a minimum of 200 pieces (or 50 lbs), proper presorting by ZIP code, a USPS Marketing Mail permit, and automation-compatible addressing that's CASS-certified.
The automation discounts require addresses formatted for machine processing—something that needs proper mailing software and CASS certification. This is where working with a mail house pays for itself.
Not sure which mailing class fits your campaign? We analyze your list and recommend the lowest-cost option. Sometimes it's EDDM, sometimes Marketing Mail, sometimes a hybrid approach works best.
Obtaining Bulk Mailing Permits
To mail at commercial rates, you need a Mailing Permit (Form 3615) with a $275 annual fee, a CASS-certified mailing list with verified and standardized addresses, and presort documentation showing your mail is properly sorted.
If you're mailing through a mail house like MPA, we use our own permits—you don't need to obtain one yourself. This saves you the annual fee and the hassle of maintaining compliance.
Should You DIY or Use a Mail House?
Here's the honest breakdown.
When DIY Makes Sense
DIY works when you're mailing under 200 pieces (below bulk thresholds), when you have plenty of time to learn USPS requirements, when your local print shop can produce EDDM-compliant pieces, and when you don't mind multiple trips to the post office.
When a Mail House Makes Sense
A mail house makes sense when you're mailing 500+ pieces, when you need fast turnaround (we typically deliver 5-7 business days from approval), when you want one vendor handling design, print, and mail, when you'd rather focus on your business than postal regulations, and when you need accurate delivery tracking and reporting.
The hidden cost of DIY: Your time. Learning postal regulations, preparing documentation, bundling mail correctly, driving to the post office—it adds up. Most businesses find that the slight premium for professional mailing services pays for itself in time saved and mistakes avoided.
At MPA, we're a one-stop shop. Graphic design, printing on commercial-grade Xerox presses, data processing, and postal logistics all happen under our roof in Lakeland. No finger-pointing between vendors, no coordination headaches.
Design and Customization Options
Choosing the Right Postcard Size
4" x 6" (Standard) is most economical for First-Class Mail. It fits the postcard rate perfectly and works well for simple messages.
5.5" x 8.5" offers more impact without dramatically higher costs. It still qualifies for postcard rates if within thickness specs.
6" x 9" or 6" x 11" (Jumbo) gets attention in the mailbox but is classified as flats/letters for postage. These sizes are perfect for EDDM campaigns where the flat rate applies regardless of size.
For design, keep it simple: bold colors, clear headline, obvious call to action. Your postcard has about 3 seconds to grab attention before it's sorted into "keep" or "recycle."
Marketing Materials and Postcard Campaigns
Postcards work best as part of a coordinated campaign. One postcard rarely converts—a sequence of 3-5 over several weeks dramatically improves response. Include QR codes linking to landing pages and match your postcard creative to your digital ads. Use unique phone numbers, promo codes, or URLs to measure which mailings drive response.
Additional Services and Enhancements
Certified Mail and Tracking Options
For important documents requiring delivery confirmation, Certified Mail adds a tracking number and proof of delivery. The service costs $4.85 plus postage as of 2025, but provides legal documentation that your mail was received.
Priority Services and Delivery Times
Need postcards delivered faster? Priority Mail gets pieces to their destination in 1-3 business days. This is typically overkill for marketing postcards and expensive, but useful for time-sensitive announcements. For most campaigns, standard First-Class (1-5 days) or Marketing Mail (3-10 days) provides adequate timing at much lower cost.
Ready to Get Started?
Knowing postcard costs is step one. Getting your campaign into mailboxes profitably is where we come in.
Mail Processing Associates has been helping businesses with direct mail since 1989. We're a veteran-owned company in Lakeland, Florida, serving clients throughout Central Florida and nationwide.
We offer design, printing, and mailing under one roof with competitive rates on EDDM, Marketing Mail, and First-Class campaigns. Typical turnaround is 5-7 business days, with no minimums for most services (200 pieces for EDDM, 500 for presort).
Get a quote for your postcard campaign:
Call: (863) 687-6945
Email: orders@mailpro.org
Online: Request a Quote