How to Prepare Your Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) Postcards for Mailing

Preparing your postcards for USPS Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is simple when you follow these steps.

This guide will walk you through selecting routes, organizing postcards, preparing bundles, paying postage, and submitting your mailing to USPS.

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Step 1: Select Your Carrier Routes

Using the USPS EDDM Online Tool, choose the carrier routes you would like your postcards delivered to.

After selecting your routes, USPS will calculate the number of addresses on each route and the total quantity of postcards required.

You will then be able to download your mailing paperwork.

You Will Need

• Retail EDDM Mailing Statement
• Carrier Route Facing Slips
• Printed Postcards

USPS EDDM Tool:

https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action

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Step 2: Separate Postcards by Route

Your USPS paperwork will show the exact quantity needed for each route.

Example

Carrier Route	Quantity
C001	328
C002	266
C003	491

Count out the required quantity for each route before bundling.

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Step 3: Create Bundles

USPS prefers postcards bundled in groups of approximately 50–100 pieces secured with rubber bands.

Example Route Quantity: 328 Pieces

• Bundle 1 = 100 Pieces
• Bundle 2 = 100 Pieces
• Bundle 3 = 100 Pieces
• Off Bundle = 28 Pieces

[IMAGE 1 HERE – Full Bundles + Off Bundle]

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Understanding an Off Bundle

An Off Bundle is the final bundle containing the remaining postcards needed to reach the exact quantity required for a carrier route.

This is completely normal and expected by USPS.

Example

Bundle	Quantity
Bundle 1	100
Bundle 2	100
Bundle 3	100
Off Bundle	28
Total	328

Another Example

Bundle	Quantity
Bundle 1	100
Bundle 2	100
Off Bundle	66
Total	266

Important

✔ Keep full bundles intact

✔ Secure every bundle with a rubber band

✔ Do not redistribute postcards between bundles

✔ USPS expects one smaller off bundle when needed

[IMAGE 2 HERE – Off Bundle Examples]

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Step 4: Attach Facing Slips

Place the USPS Carrier Route Facing Slip on top of the first bundle for each route.

Each carrier route must have its own facing slip.

The facing slip identifies the route and helps USPS process the mailing correctly.

[IMAGE 3 HERE – Facing Slip Placement]

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Step 5: Organize Bundles by Route

Keep all bundles for the same carrier route together.

Example

Route C001

• 100
• 100
• 100
• 28

Route C002

• 100
• 100
• 66

Do not mix bundles from different carrier routes.

[IMAGE 4 HERE – Route Organization]

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Step 6: Load Bundles into USPS Trays or Boxes

Place grouped bundles into USPS trays, tubs, or sturdy boxes.

Keep routes organized and separated for easy USPS verification.

[IMAGE 5 HERE – USPS Tray Example]

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Speed Up Your Post Office Visit: Pay Postage Online First

To make your EDDM drop-off as quick and smooth as possible, we strongly recommend paying your postage through the USPS EDDM website before visiting the Post Office.

Benefits of Paying Online

✔ Faster processing

✔ Payment already recorded in USPS systems

✔ Less time at the counter

✔ Fewer acceptance delays

✔ Easier verification

What Happens After You Pay?

Once payment is completed online, USPS adds a barcode to your EDDM paperwork.

When you arrive at the Post Office, the clerk can scan the barcode to verify:

• Mailing details
• Carrier routes
• Piece counts
• Payment status

This allows USPS to process your mailing much more quickly.

Pro Tip

Customers who arrive with prepaid postage, printed paperwork, and organized bundles typically experience the fastest acceptance process.

[IMAGE 6 HERE – Pay Online → Print → USPS Scan Barcode]

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Step 7: Bring Your Mailing to the Post Office

Bring:

✔ Bundled postcards

✔ Carrier route facing slips

✔ Printed EDDM paperwork

✔ USPS trays or boxes (if applicable)

The USPS EDDM paperwork will indicate which Post Office location accepts your mailing.

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Step 8: USPS Acceptance

The USPS clerk will:

• Verify quantities
• Verify paperwork
• Verify route information
• Confirm payment
• Accept the mailing

You will receive a receipt confirming your EDDM submission.

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Final Checklist

☐ Postcards counted correctly

☐ Bundles secured with rubber bands

☐ Off bundles included where needed

☐ Facing slips attached

☐ Routes organized separately

☐ Mailing paperwork printed

☐ Postage paid online (recommended)

☐ Correct USPS acceptance office confirmed

☐ Payment confirmation available

☐ Mailing ready for drop-off

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Questions?

If you have any questions before submitting your mailing, please contact us and we will be happy to help.