Postage by class
From the USPS price list effective October 4, 2026.
Presorted and Marketing Mail prices need minimum quantities (500 and 200), sorting and a permit or other postage method.
The price falls as USPS does less work. A stamped letter is sorted by USPS from scratch. A saturation mailing arrives in carrier order for every address on a route, so it's the cheapest to handle.
Fees
Bulk mailers pay yearly fees to use commercial prices:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| USPS Marketing Mail annual mailing fee | $390 |
| First-Class Mail presort annual fee | $390 |
| Permit imprint application | $390, one time |
EDDM Retail has no fees. Many businesses use a mail house that already holds the permits and pays the fees.
Printing
Printing usually costs more than postage, and it varies more than anything else. The price moves with:
- Size. Bigger pieces use more paper.
- Paper and coating. Heavier and glossier costs more.
- Quantity. The price per piece drops as the run gets longer.
- Ink. Full color on both sides costs more than one side.
- Finishing. Folding, perforating or scoring adds a step.
Get two or three quotes for your exact spec.
Lists
Saturation mail and EDDM don't need a list. Addressed mail does. You can use your own customer list, or rent or buy one priced per thousand names. Ask the broker exactly what each record includes and how recently it was checked.
A worked example (postage only)
Mailing 2,000 pieces three ways:
| Approach | Price per piece | Postage for 2,000 |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class postcard stamps | $0.65 | $1,300.00 |
| First-Class presorted postcards (5-digit) | $0.453 | $906.00, plus fees |
| EDDM Retail flats | $0.260 | $520.00 |
The EDDM option is cheapest on postage, but it goes to every home on a route rather than the 2,000 you'd choose from a list.
Questions readers ask
How much does direct mail cost per piece?
Postage runs from about $0.26 for saturation mail to $0.82 for a stamped letter. Printing comes on top and varies with size, paper and quantity.
What's the cheapest direct mail?
Saturation mail. Bulk saturation letters start at $0.255, and EDDM Retail flats are $0.260 with no permit.
Do I need a permit to send direct mail?
Not for stamped mail or EDDM Retail. Commercial presorted and bulk Marketing Mail need a permit or another postage method, plus the annual fees.