Yes, the forthcoming August 29, 2021 USPS rate increase is painful. But the USPS threw direct marketers a bone. Did you miss it?

The USPS August rate case includes a size adjustment for first-class postcards. Marketers are no longer bound by the content restrictive size of 4.25” x 6” for First-Class Postcards. First-Class Postcards are now allowable up to 6” x 9”! August 29 pricing for this mail class ranges from $0.306/pc to $0.326/pc.

Formerly 6” x 9” Postcards were required to mail at letter rates, either First-Class or Marketing Class depending on content. 

The new adjustment will give marketers a larger canvas to work with while also allowing them to benefit from the speedier in home delivery of First-Class Mail. 

USPS Marketing Class Letter prices effective August 29, will range from $0.25/pc at the 5-digit SCF level to $0.33/pc at the Mixed AADC non-entry level. Often times, marketers additionally pay for freight consolidation, expedited freight, commingling or co-palletization to improve postage and in-home delivery. Considering this, changing to a Presorted First-Class Postcard may be a near cost neutral option for pieces up to 6” x 9”. 

Enjoy the larger canvas, expand your marketing message, get your direct mail pieces in-home faster and keep your chin up. As they say, something is better than nothing.

Randy Weiler
Senior Director of Postal Affairs, Logistics & Strategy