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Service Comparison Guide

EDDM vs. Targeted Mail vs. Direct Mail to Your List

Three different services. Three different use cases. One local team that handles all of them. Use this guide to find the right fit for your campaign — or take the 3-question quiz below.

The Three Services at a Glance

Each service solves a different problem. Here's the one-sentence version before we go deeper.

EDDM®

Every Door Direct Mail

Deliver to every address on a USPS carrier route. No list required. Lowest postage rates available.

Postage from $0.247/piece (EDDM Retail flat, Apr 2026)
No list purchase needed
100% geographic saturation
No personalization
Flat-size pieces only
Most Flexible

Targeted Lists

Purchased Prospect Lists

Reach new prospects who match your ideal customer profile by demographics, behavior, or firmographics.

Demographic & behavioral filters
Consumer & B2B lists
Full personalization
List purchase cost
Higher cost per piece

Direct Mail

Your Own House List

Mail to your existing customers, donors, or subscribers with personalized, variable-data content.

Highest response rates (2–5%)
Full personalization
Presort postage discounts
Requires your own list
List must be cleaned regularly

Not Sure Which to Choose?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll recommend the right service for your campaign.

Question 1 of 3

Who are you trying to reach?

Full Side-by-Side Comparison

Every spec, rate, and capability compared across all three services. All postage rates reflect USPS Notice 123, effective April 26, 2026.

FeatureEDDM®Targeted ListsDirect Mail (House List)
Postage & Pricing
USPS Postage Rate$0.247 (EDDM Retail flat)
No list required — USPS Notice 123, Apr 2026		$0.372–$0.770 (Marketing Mail auto)
First-Class: $0.78 letter / $1.63 flat		$0.372–$0.770 (Marketing Mail auto)
Nonprofit: $0.178 letter / $0.340 flat
Typical All-In Cost Per Piece$0.35 – $0.55$0.65 – $1.80$0.50 – $1.50
List CostNone$0.05–$0.15/recordNone (your list)
Nonprofit Postage Discount
Targeting & Audience
Audience SelectionGeographic only
(carrier route)		Demographics, behavior,
firmographics, geography		Your existing
customers/donors
Personalization (Variable Data)
B2B Targeting AvailableIf you have a B2B list
Typical Response Rate0.5–2%
(cold, unselected)		1–3%
(targeted prospects)		2–5%
(known customers)
Format & Production
Allowed FormatsFlats only
Min 6.125″ × 11″		Postcards, letters,
self-mailers, booklets		Postcards, letters,
self-mailers, booklets
Minimum Quantity200 per route500 records200 pieces
Typical Turnaround5–10 business days7–14 business days5–10 business days
USPS Informed Delivery
List & Data Services
NCOA / CASS ProcessingN/A
Duplicate SuppressionN/A
Mail Tracking (MMScope)

Postage rates reflect USPS Notice 123, effective April 26, 2026. Actual costs vary by piece weight, size, and entry point. Request a custom quote for exact pricing.

Which Service Fits Your Industry?

Real-world scenarios for common industries we serve on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Retail & Restaurants

Grand opening or seasonal sale

Best: EDDM

Saturate every household within your trade area at the lowest cost per piece. No list needed — just pick the carrier routes around your location.

$400–$800 for 2,500 pieces

Real Estate

Farming a neighborhood for listings

Best: Targeted Lists

Target homeowners by estimated home value, length of residence, and equity. Personalize each postcard with the recipient's name and a recent comparable sale.

$800–$1,200 for 1,000 pieces

HVAC, Plumbing & Home Services

Seasonal tune-up or new customer acquisition

Best: Targeted Lists

Filter by homeowners (not renters), home age, and home value. Exclude your existing customers to avoid wasted spend.

$1,200–$2,000 for 2,000 pieces

Nonprofits & Charities

Annual fund appeal or membership renewal

Best: Direct Mail

Mail to your donor file with personalized ask amounts based on giving history. Qualify for USPS Nonprofit Marketing Mail rates to reduce postage by 40–60%.

$600–$1,200 for 1,500 pieces

B2B & Professional Services

Lead generation to local businesses

Best: Targeted Lists

Target by SIC code, employee count, annual revenue, and job title. Reach the decision-maker directly — not a general mailbox.

$1,500–$2,500 for 2,000 pieces

Healthcare & Medical Practices

New patient acquisition or wellness reminders

Best: Targeted Lists or Direct Mail

New patients: target by age, household income, and zip code. Existing patients: mail to your house list for appointment reminders and health screenings.

$700–$1,500 for 1,500 pieces

When to Use More Than One Service

The most effective campaigns often combine services. Here are three proven multi-channel approaches.

1

EDDM + Targeted Follow-Up

Run an EDDM campaign to saturate an area with broad awareness, then follow up 2–3 weeks later with a targeted list mailing to high-value prospects in the same geography. The EDDM creates familiarity; the targeted piece drives action.

EDDMTargeted Lists
2

New Customer Acquisition + Retention Loop

Use a targeted list to acquire new customers, then move them to your house list for ongoing direct mail retention campaigns. Over time, your house list becomes your most valuable asset — and the cheapest audience to mail.

Targeted ListsDirect Mail
3

Direct Mail + MMScope Omnichannel

Pair any mail campaign with MMScope to add digital retargeting, social media matching, and call tracking. Recipients see your brand online before and after the piece arrives, boosting response rates by up to 46%.

Direct MailMMScope

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing between direct mail services.

What is the difference between EDDM and targeted direct mail?

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM®) delivers to every address on a USPS carrier route — no list required, lowest postage rates, but no personalization. Targeted direct mail uses a purchased or house list to reach specific individuals by name, demographic, or behavior. EDDM is best for saturation campaigns; targeted mail is best when you need to reach a defined audience.

How much does direct mail cost per piece?

Costs vary by format, quantity, and service type. EDDM postage starts at $0.247 per piece (EDDM Retail flat, April 2026) with no list purchase required. Targeted mail with a purchased list typically runs $0.65–$1.80 all-in including printing, list, and postage. Mailing to your own house list is generally the most economical option at $0.50–$1.50 per piece. Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific volume and format.

Can I combine EDDM with a targeted list?

Yes — many campaigns use both. A common strategy is to saturate a geographic area with EDDM for broad awareness, then follow up with a targeted list mailing to high-value prospects in the same area. Mail Movers can manage both components from a single production run.

What is the minimum quantity for each service?

EDDM requires a minimum of 200 pieces per carrier route. Standard direct mail (First-Class or Marketing Mail) requires 200 pieces minimum. Targeted list orders typically start at 500 records. For very small quantities, First-Class postcard rates may be more economical than presort discounts.

How long does a direct mail campaign take from start to finish?

A typical campaign takes 7–14 business days from artwork approval to USPS entry. EDDM campaigns can sometimes be completed in 5–7 business days. Rush production is available. We recommend planning 3–4 weeks ahead to allow time for list processing, proof approval, printing, and mail preparation.

Do I need to provide my own mailing list?

No. We can source a list for you based on your target audience — consumer demographics, business firmographics, geographic area, or behavioral data. We can also clean and update your existing list using NCOA (National Change of Address), CASS certification, and DPV verification to maximize deliverability.

What formats work best for each service?

EDDM requires flat-size pieces (minimum 6.125" × 11"). Targeted mail and house-list mail can use any USPS-approved format: postcards (4" × 6" to 6" × 11"), letters in envelopes, self-mailers, newsletters, and booklets. Oversized postcards (6" × 11" or larger) tend to get the highest open rates.

Can Mail Movers handle the design and printing too?

Yes — we are a full-service provider. You can supply print-ready artwork, or our design team can create your piece. We print in-house on our digital presses, which allows for variable data personalization (different name, offer, or image per recipient) without the cost of offset printing setup.

Related Resources

EDDM Service Details

Rates, sizes, and how to get started

Targeted Mailing Lists

Consumer, B2C, and B2B list options

List Cleaning & NCOA

Keep your house list deliverable

ROI Calculator

Estimate your campaign return

Lettershop Services

Inserting, tabbing, and USPS entry

MMScope Omnichannel

Add digital to your mail campaign

Nonprofit Mail

Discounts for 501(c)(3) organizations

Request a Quote

Get pricing for your campaign

Ready to Get Started?

Our team in Salisbury, MD has been helping Delmarva businesses choose the right mail strategy since 1977. Get a free consultation and custom quote — no obligation.