What Is Postcard Marketing and Why Does It Still Work?

In a world obsessed with clicks, cookies, and constant notifications, there’s something refreshing about receiving a real postcard in the mailbox. That’s the power of postcard marketing—it grabs attention by stepping outside the digital noise and showing up where people least expect it: their mailbox.

Postcard marketing is a form of direct mail that delivers your brand’s message on a tangible, visual medium—often in the form of a well-designed, cost-effective postcard. Whether you're announcing a grand opening, promoting a seasonal offer, or re-engaging lapsed customers, postcards give you a direct line to your audience without the distractions of email marketing overload or social media scroll fatigue.

But what really sets direct mail postcards apart today is trust. Studies show that physical mail feels more credible and personal than digital ads. It's less likely to be ignored, and more likely to stick—on fridges, desks, or countertops—giving your message a longer shelf life.

And thanks to automation and advanced targeting tools, modern direct mail services make it just as easy to send a postcard as launching a digital campaign. You can upload your artwork, segment your audience, and track delivery—all without touching a single stamp.

With tools like Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) and Radius Mail, even small businesses can launch hyper-targeted postcard mailing campaigns without needing a list—just a ZIP code or neighborhood.

How Direct Mail Postcards Drive Results for Small Businesses

If you're running a small business, you know how hard it is to cut through the clutter. Your customers are bombarded with ads—emails, pop-ups, sponsored posts—every hour of the day. But direct mail postcards offer something different: they’re physical, personal, and surprisingly effective.

For local service businesses, boutiques, and growing brands, postcards create a direct path to the customer’s attention—literally. They land in the mailbox, not the spam folder. And unlike online ads that disappear with a click, postcards are often held, read, and even pinned to the fridge.

Why do they work so well?

• Instant visibility – No envelope means your offer is immediately seen.
• Easy to understand – Postcards force clarity. One message, one action.
• Cost-effective at scale – Lower postage rates and low minimums make them ideal for small budgets.
• Trackable – Add a QR code, promo code, or custom postcard design to track conversions just like digital ads.

LettrLabs works with small businesses across industries—from HVAC to e-commerce—to launch campaigns that convert. Whether you’re driving new appointments, reactivating past clients, or announcing a new company location, postcard marketing gives you a smart, measurable way to reach your community.

And when combined with tools like email marketing, social retargeting, and direct mail, postcards can lift your entire campaign performance across the board.

Direct Mail Marketing vs. Digital Channels: What You Need to Know

Let’s be honest—digital marketing isn’t going anywhere. But relying only on digital channels? That’s where most brands fall short.

Direct mail marketing fills a critical gap in today’s overly saturated digital landscape. While email inboxes are overflowing and online ads are often ignored or blocked, direct mail lands physically in your audience’s hands. That alone makes it stand out.

Here’s how direct mail marketing compares to common digital methods:

What’s more, people trust mail. Research shows consumers view direct mail as more believable and more personal than any digital format. It's not just about nostalgia—it’s about impact.

Plus, mail has staying power. It doesn’t get filtered, deleted, or skipped. It often stays on the counter, pinned to the fridge, or passed to someone else in the company—keeping your message alive longer than a banner ad ever could.

When paired with email marketing, social media, or digital retargeting, mail marketing becomes part of an omnichannel strategy that reinforces your brand across platforms. A customer might ignore an ad online—but when they get a physical reminder in their mailbox, it suddenly feels more intentional.

And with tools like LettrLabs, sending custom postcards, launching a multi-step campaign, or uploading your postcard template becomes as seamless as setting up a Mailchimp automation.

Need to change the headline, offer, or audience? Just customize your next drop, and you're ready to go.

The Basics of Direct Mail: How It Works and What You Need

If you’ve never run a direct mail campaign before, it might seem a little old school. But in reality, it's one of the most straightforward and efficient marketing tools available—especially when it's automated.

Here’s how a typical postcard mailing campaign works from start to finish:

🖌️ 1. Create Your Postcard Design

Start with a clear goal: Do you want to drive website traffic? Get phone calls? Promote a limited-time offer?
Use a postcard template or build your own postcard design from scratch. Include your logo, compelling copy, a strong message, and a clear CTA. And if you’re using LettrLabs, you can upload your artwork, or browse templates that match your brand. Need help refining your copy? We’ve got tips on how to use the right words that resonate.

Even if you're starting with a blank postcard layout, you’ll have everything you need to customize the design and stand out in the mailbox.

🧭 2. Choose Your Audience

Are you mailing to existing customers, new prospects, or targeting a specific ZIP code? With LettrLabs, you can search for local neighborhoods, use new mover data, or contact our team for advice on list selection. You can upload a list or use our built-in tools to generate one.

🏷️ 3. Set the Address & Postage

LettrLabs handles all the postage and addressing—no stamps or handwriting required (unless you want the handwritten look). Just review and approve. We’ll even check every address for accuracy so you don’t waste money on returns.

📬 4. Print and Mail

Once your design and audience are set, we handle postcard printing and mail delivery from start to finish. Whether you’re sending 100 cards or 10,000, it’s hands-free and fast. And with low minimums, you can test before scaling and save on unnecessary waste.

📈 5. Track Results

Use QR codes, promo codes, or dedicated URLs to track response and conversion rates. It’s direct mail, but built for today’s data-driven world. And unlike digital ads, these cards are real. Tangible. Memorable.

Bottom line? You don’t need a massive team or a big budget. With the right partner, direct mail marketing is easy to launch, measure, and scale—especially for small businesses.

Door Direct Mail and EDDM: Reaching Every Household

When you want to blanket an area with your message—say, promoting a grand opening, a seasonal sale, or a local service—the best move is door direct mail.

This approach doesn’t rely on a mailing list. Instead, you send custom postcards to every household in a specific neighborhood, ZIP code, or carrier route. The most popular way to do this? Through USPS’s Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) service.

What Are EDDM Postcards?

EDDM postcards are designed for saturation campaigns. You don’t need specific names or addresses—just choose your location, select your routes, and your postcards will be delivered to every home in that zone.

It’s perfect for:

• Restaurants, salons, or home service providers targeting local areas
• New businesses announcing their arrival
• Event invitations, promotions, and reminders

And if you want to stand out visually, don’t forget to include a bold image or product photo in your postcard design. Even a simple lifestyle shot can dramatically boost attention and engagement from postcard recipients.

Door Direct Mail vs. Targeted Mail

With door direct mail, you get affordability and reach. But for campaigns that require more personalization or demographic filtering, LettrLabs also offers targeted list-building tools and neighborhood targeting via Radius Mail.

No matter which route you choose, we make sure your postage rates stay efficient, your postcard recipients are well defined, and your campaign hits mailboxes on time. We’ll help you save money while still delivering impact.

Postcard Printing Options: Size, Paper, Finish, and More

Your message matters—but how it looks and feels plays a huge role in whether people pay attention. That’s where smart postcard printing comes in.

From paper quality to finish, every detail helps your card stand out in the mailbox.

📏 Choose the Right Size

Standard postcards (4" x 6") are great for quick reminders or thank-you notes. But if you want to make more impact, oversized formats like 6" x 9" or 6" x 11" give you more space for visuals and offers—and they stand out among the usual stack of mail.

🧾 Paper Stock & Finishes

There are several options that make your custom postcards feel more polished:

• Matte – Smooth and elegant; great for written notes
• Glossy – Bold and vibrant; ideal for product photos
• Soft-touch – Luxurious, high-end texture
• Recycled stock – A sustainable option for eco-conscious brands

🖨️ Full-Service Postcard Printing

With LettrLabs, you don’t need to source a separate printer. We handle everything in-house:

• Upload your own custom postcards or use a postcard template
• Approve your proof online
• We print and send it—all without lifting a finger

Whether you’re sending 250 cards or 25,000, your campaign will be professionally printed, cut, and mailed with precision.

And thanks to low minimums, even small campaigns can look and feel premium—without blowing your budget.

Designing Your Own Custom Postcards That Stand Out

Design is the difference between a postcard that gets noticed—and one that gets tossed. Whether you're working with a designer or using a postcard template, your own custom postcards should be bold, clear, and aligned with your brand.

🎨 Start With a Goal

Before opening a design tool, ask yourself:
What do I want the recipient to do? Visit a website? Redeem a discount? Book a consultation?

Let that goal shape your layout, message, and CTA.

🧠 Keep It Focused

Great postcard design is simple and skimmable. Here’s how to get it right:

• One message per card—don’t overload it
• Use bold headlines to draw the eye
• Include a clear call to action—QR code, promo code, or short URL
• Choose high-quality images that reflect your brand

🛠️ Upload Your Own Logo and Artwork

Make sure your design includes your own logo, brand colors, and any custom visuals that reinforce recognition. With LettrLabs, you can upload files directly into our editor, or browse templates if you're starting from scratch.

You can also customize the back of your postcard for special offers, fine print, or even a short handwritten message if you want a more personal touch.

Postcard Design Best Practices: From Concept to Conversion

Designing a postcard isn’t just about making something look good—it’s about driving action. Whether you’re starting with a postcard template or creating something from scratch, these principles can help your postcard design turn heads and convert.

✅ 1. Prioritize Clarity Over Clutter

Your audience should understand your message in seconds. That means:

• One clear value proposition
• A single, easy-to-spot CTA
• Limited text—leave white space for readability

🎯 2. Make Your CTA Unmissable

Use buttons, bold text, or QR codes that stand out visually. Phrases like “Claim Your Discount,” “Scan to Book,” or “RSVP Now” create urgency and clarity.

Want to personalize further? With LettrLabs, you can even merge in names, addresses, or custom URLs to tailor each piece.

🖼️ 3. Use High-Quality Images That Reinforce the Offer

Visuals aren’t just decoration—they communicate value. Choose images that:

• Showcase your product or service in use
• Reflect the tone of your brand
• Feel authentic and relevant to your audience

Avoid generic stock photos when possible. Real photos, behind-the-scenes shots, or styled product imagery perform better.

🪟 4. Design for the Mailbox

Your design should account for how postcards are handled:

• Leave space for postage and mailing info
• Ensure text contrasts well and is legible at arm’s length
• Use durable paper finishes to avoid smudging or wear

Pro tip: Test print your postcard on your office printer before launching. It’s the easiest way to catch design flaws before they hit hundreds of mailboxes.

Custom Postcards vs. Templates: Which Is Right for Your Brand?

When it comes to postcard marketing, you’ve got two solid paths: start with a postcard template, or create your own custom postcards from the ground up. Both can work—what matters is your brand, your timeline, and your goals.

🧩 When to Use a Postcard Template

Templates are perfect when:

• You need to move fast
• You don’t have a dedicated designer
• You want a proven layout that’s already optimized for mailing

LettrLabs offers a growing library of templates tailored to different industries and campaign types. You can swap in your logo, brand colors, and imagery, then launch in minutes.

Templates are especially helpful for:

• Seasonal offers
• Repeat mailers
• Small businesses without a marketing team

🧑‍🎨 When to Design a Custom Postcard

Going custom gives you full creative control. It’s ideal if:

• You’re running a high-impact campaign (e.g., product launch, VIP invite)
• You want to feature detailed artwork, stylized layouts, or a bold concept
• You have strict brand guidelines to follow

LettrLabs makes it easy to upload your own postcard design, and we’ll ensure it meets USPS formatting and printing specs.

Whichever route you choose, we handle printing, delivery, and even targeting—so you can focus on results, not logistics.

Mail Marketing + Email Marketing: The Power of Omnichannel

You don’t have to choose between online and offline. The most effective campaigns today combine mail marketing with email marketing to create a seamless customer journey—one that’s personal, persistent, and hard to ignore.

📨 Why Combine the Two?

Because repetition works. Studies show it takes multiple touches for a message to stick. When someone sees your brand in their inbox and their mailbox, the impact compounds.

For example:

• A direct mail postcard announces a seasonal offer
• A follow-up email reminds them of the expiration date
• A second postcard includes a last-chance QR code to redeem

This approach:

• Increases brand recall
• Builds trust by meeting customers where they are
• Drives higher response rates than single-channel campaigns

🔄 Syncing Your Messaging

To make the most of omnichannel, keep your branding and CTAs consistent across platforms:

• Same offer, same design language
• Personalized with the recipient’s name, address, or behavior
• Coordinated delivery timing for maximum lift

With LettrLabs, you can plug direct mail into your existing CRM or email platform—so it works alongside digital channels, not in isolation.

When mail marketing and email marketing work together, you're not just doubling your chances. You’re building a smarter, more memorable campaign that keeps your business top of mind.

Launch a Postcard Marketing Campaign with LettrLabs

In a crowded digital world, postcard marketing gives your brand something most online ads can’t—presence. It’s personal. It’s tangible. And when done right, it’s incredibly effective.

Whether you're just starting out or refining an existing strategy, direct mail postcards give you the power to:

• Reach the right audience at the right moment
• Reinforce digital campaigns with physical follow-up
• Deliver messages that get remembered—not just noticed

With LettrLabs, you don’t have to worry about sourcing printers, navigating postage, or learning design tools from scratch. Our platform makes it easy to:

• Upload your own custom postcards or use professional templates
• Customize designs with your logo, offer, and brand voice
• Automate mailing based on triggers, behaviors, or lists
• Track results, optimize performance, and scale confidently

Ready to get started?

👉 Browse postcard templates
👉 Request a free sample
👉 Contact us to build your campaign

Your next customer is just a mailbox away. Let’s help you reach them.