How to Design and Print Shared-Cost Co-Op EDDM Mailers

Best ways Design and Print Shared-Cost Co-Op EDDM Mailers

The Smart Way to Create Stunning Postcards for Local Campaigns

If you’re running a shared-cost EDDM postcard agency, one of the most important parts of your business is designing a clean, professional mailer that not only looks great — but is easy to sell.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

How to design your co-op mailer the right way
How to manage ad space layouts
What to tell advertisers when collecting their artwor
Where to get your postcards printed
And how to do it all faster using our ready-to-use Canva templates

1: Design Your Co-Op Mailer with Easy Ad Placeholders

A shared-cost postcard is like a local business billboard — split into blocks. Each block (or “spot”) represents one advertiser.

Instead of hiring a designer or creating layouts from scratch, use our Canva co-op EDDM postcard templatesdesigned specifically for shared-cost mailers.

Features include:

2: Collect Ads or Create Them Yourself

As the agency owner, you can choose two approaches:

Option 1: Let Advertisers Send You Their Ads

Ask your advertisers to provide:

Let them know your print size and the ad dimensions — especially if you’re offering double-size ad spots (great for upselling).

Option 2: Create the Ads Yourself

Not every advertiser has their own designer. That’s why we include 50+ editable ad designs in our bundle, covering businesses like:

Simply open the ad template in Canva, customize the text/images, export as JPG, and drag it into the ad placeholder.

3: Choose the Right Size and Layout

Most co-op postcards follow these formats:

Our templates are available in both sizes — with layouts already optimized for selling ad space.

4: Finalize the Print File

Once your design is complete:

Double-check that all images are high-res
Ensure no important content overlaps USPS areas (like the mailing block or barcode)
Export the file as PDF or CMYK JPG, as requested by your printer
Add 0.125" bleed around the edges (our templates already include this)

5: Print with a Co-Op Friendly EDDM Printer

Not all printers understand EDDM specs — but these do:

Recommended Printers for 9×12 Co-Op EDDM Mailers:

PrintPapa
printpappa.com
- Offers 9×12 and custom EDDM formats
- Affordable, USPS-ready printing
BlockbusterPrint
www.blockbusterprint.com
- High-quality 9×12 EDDM printing
- Fast turnaround times
- Bundles in stacks of 100s for you. (Very convenient for EDDM mailing as discussed in this article)

Want to Design Faster & Sell Easier?

We’ve created a Co-Op Mailer Design Bundle made just for shared-cost EDDM agency owners like you.

You’ll Get:

Whether you’re designing your first card or your 20th — this bundle saves hours and helps you look like a pro.

Get the bundle now!

9x12 Agency

The team at 9x12 Agency helps aspiring entrepreneurs launch and grow their own shared-cost EDDM postcard businesses. With ready-to-use templates, agency websites, and practical training, we make it easy to start a real, local marketing business — even as a student or side hustler.