MailProsUSA — Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Are you the post office?
No—we’re a full-service print and direct mail company. We handle strategy, design, printing, list/route selection, addressing, bundling, induction, tracking, and fulfillment. If you only need postal customer support, contact the national customer line directly.
How do I start a campaign?
Share your goal, audience, and timing. We’ll recommend Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) for local saturation or targeted direct mail services for precise lists. You’ll get a quote, a timeline, and a proof before production.
Do you serve Los Angeles / Orange County / nationwide?
Yes—MailProsUSA manages direct mail services across the U.S. We frequently support Southern California advertisers and multi-location brands.
File Prep, Design & Proofs
What file type and resolution do you need?
Upload print-ready PDF, CMYK, 300 dpi, with 0.125" bleed and safe margins. If you’re unsure, request a free file check—we’ll confirm print readiness before your order moves forward.
Can you design my piece?
Yes—our team creates custom layouts for postcards, brochures, flyers, door hangers, rack cards, posters, newsletters, and booklets. Design includes brand alignment, offer framing, and clear calls-to-action. You’ll approve a proof before print.
Will I receive a proof before printing?
Yes. We provide a digital proof (and optional hard-copy color proof). Production begins only after approval.
Lists, Targeting & Mapping
Do you provide mailing lists?
Yes—we source consumer and business lists with common filters (age, income, home type, credit proxies, SIC/NAICS, radius). If you prefer broad local reach, choose saturation mailing lists or EDDM.
What format should my list be in?
CSV or Excel, one column per field (Full Name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, City, State, ZIP, etc.). We’ll validate, de-duplicate, and CASS/NCOA process before mailing.
What’s the difference between Targeted Direct Mail and EDDM?
Targeted direct mail uses data filters to reach specific households or businesses (great for HVAC, dental, real estate, and B2B niches).
EDDM blankets addresses in selected carrier routes for maximum local coverage without buying a list—ideal for restaurants, retail, and service area blitzes.
Can you help me pick routes?
Yes—use our Map Tool or ask us to plan routes by neighborhood, count, and coverage. We’ll share route counts, estimated reach, and a rollout calendar.
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)
What sizes are allowed for EDDM?
EDDM pieces must qualify as flat-size mail. Popular EDDM formats include 6.25"×9", 6"×11", 6.25"×11", 8.5"×11", and large bi-folds. We’ll confirm compliance before design is finalized.
Related queries we support: eddm, eddm retail size requirements, eddm size specifications, eddm mailer, eddm tool.
What are common EDDM mistakes to avoid?
Incorrect indicia/address block, non-compliant size/weight, missing facing slips, and route counts that don’t match the drop plan. We preflight all of this and prepare compliant bundles.
What if I already printed my postcards—can you mail them EDDM?
Sometimes. Send a sample or the art file so we can confirm size, thickness, addressing panel, and room for the indicia. If your current piece isn’t compliant, we’ll suggest a fast fix.
Products (Print + Mail)
Which postcard sizes perform well for marketing?
For postcard mailing services, large and jumbo formats—6"×9" and 6.25"×11"—stand out and often lift response, while 4"×6" or 5"×7" are cost-efficient for frequent drops.
Do you offer brochures, flyers, rack cards, door hangers, posters, newsletters, and booklets?
Yes. We print: brochures, flyers, rack cards, door hangers (and rip hangers), posters, newsletters, booklets (saddle-stitch/perfect bind). Ask for paper/coating suggestions based on budget and distribution method.
What are your house stocks and coatings?
Popular picks: 100# gloss cover for postcards and 100# gloss text for brochures/flyers. Matte/silk and heavier premium stocks are available on request.
Pricing, Turnaround & Shipping
How is pricing calculated?
Quantity, format/size, paper/finish, list work, variable data, addressing, preparation, induction, and postage class. We itemize printing, data, and postage so you can see the full cost per piece.
What’s your typical turnaround?
Standard: 3–5 business days for print-only; 5–7 business days for print-and-mail after proof approval. Need it faster? Ask about rush options and the next available induction window.
Do you offer a price-match?
Yes—share a comparable written quote (same specs, quantities, turnaround, and postage). If it qualifies, we’ll beat the price.
Can I receive samples?
Absolutely—if you’re not on the selected list or EDDM routes, we can ship samples to you (shipping charges may apply).
Fulfillment & “Mass Mailing Service”
Do you handle addressing, bundling, and entry?
Yes—we manage the full workflow for mass mailing service: data hygiene, addressing/barcoding, bundling/traying, documentation, and facility induction. You’ll receive updates and confirmations along the way.
Can you kit, store, and roll out recurring drops?
Yes—our fulfillment services include storage, kitting, and scheduled releases (e.g., monthly new movers, seasonal promos, franchise calendars).
Performance, ROI & Tracking
What response rate should I expect from direct mail?
Results vary by offer, audience, and frequency. Start with a compelling headline, a valuable offer, and a single clear call-to-action. Track with unique QR codes/URLs, dedicated phone numbers, and promo codes to measure actual lift.
Can you integrate with my analytics or CRM?
Yes—call tracking, QR/UTM landing pages, coupon codes, and webhook/CSV exports help attribute revenue. We’ll share templates and naming conventions for clean reporting.
How often should I mail the same area or list?
Consistency wins. Most local advertisers succeed with monthly or quarterly direct mail marketing; targeted lists benefit from smaller, more frequent waves with A/B tests (headline, size, and offer). Scale the winners.
Industry & Use-Cases
Do you work with restaurants, home services, dentists, real estate, and political campaigns?
Yes—our direct mail marketing services support B2C and B2B: restaurants, HVAC, dental/medical, auto repair, home improvement, real estate, insurance, and more. We also offer political direct mail planning for election cycles.
How much do political mailers cost?
Costs depend on size/stock, data targeting, quantity, finishing, and postage class. We’ll provide a transparent estimate and an in-home window plan.
Comparisons & Education
Direct mail vs email—what’s better?
Both work better together. Direct mail is high-attention and tangible; email is fast and low-cost for reminders. Many clients run the same offer across channels and see the highest ROI from combined frequency.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct mail?
Pros: attention, local reach, precise geography, high creative control, measurable. Cons: production timelines and postage budgets. We minimize cons with smart formats, calendars, and negotiated print runs.
How do I optimize a direct mail campaign?
Match audience to offer, use strong benefits-driven headlines, pick the right size for visibility, add QR/UTM tracking, test one variable at a time, and commit to a cadence. We’ll help set KPIs so you can scale with confidence.
Related queries we support: how to optimize a direct mail campaign, optimize direct mail campaigns, performance metrics for direct mail marketing, direct mail marketing ROI.
Accounts, Orders & Tools
I’m having issues with the Map Tool—can you assist?
Yes—our map tool works best on current Chrome/Firefox. If something’s off, send a screenshot or invite us to view your saved map; we’ll troubleshoot, adjust routes, and finalize counts.
Can I view or edit my saved maps later?
Yes—log in and open My Maps. Start a new order from a saved map or click Edit Map to tweak routes, then proceed to size and quantity.
Do you require a contract?
No long contracts for standard projects. For large or multi-wave programs, we’ll use a simple agreement that locks in specs, schedule, and pricing.
What if I already have printed material and only need mailing?
Share the print specs and artwork. If your piece meets size/weight/address-panel requirements, we can handle addressing and mailing. If not, we’ll suggest an efficient reprint path.