A Hands-On Guide for Shared-Cost Postcard Agency Owners
If you’re running a co-op shared-cost postcard agency, delivering your clients’ ads is only half the job — the other half is getting your postcards ready for USPS drop-off the right way.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to prepare your EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) postcards for shipping, avoid common mistakes, and impress both your advertisers and your local post office.
Step 1: Select Routes & Pay Online
First, head to eddm.usps.com.
Sign in with your USPS account, choose your ZIP code, and select the routes you want to target.
- Filter by residential or business
- Use demographic filters like age, income, and household size
- USPS will calculate how many addresses you’re mailing to
- Pay online for a smoother drop-off experience
Pro Tip: USPS Retail EDDM allows up to 5,000 mailers per day without a permit. If you exceed that, pay over multiple days — it’s allowed!
Step 2: Print Required Paperwork & Facing Slips
Once you pay for your routes: Click “Print All Forms”
You’ll get:
- A master list of routes
- EDDM Retail Facing Slips
- Summary page with route names and counts.
You’ll need 1 facing slip per 100 postcards, so print extras!
You’ll also need to fill in:
- Number of bundles (e.g., 7 bundles for 684 addresses)
- Pieces per bundle (usually 100)
- Postcard weight (ask your printer or use a small scale)
Sign it, and you’re ready.
Step 3: Unbox & Prepare Your Postcards
When your postcard shipment arrives:
- Carefully open boxes (don’t slice the cards!) Lay them out on a large surface (floor or table)
- Separate them by campaign if running multiple
If your printer didn’t pre-bundle them:
Band into Bundles of 100
- Use rubber bands or plastic straps
- For leftover bundles (e.g., 83 cards), band them separately
- Keep the EDDM indicia face up on all bundles
This matters — USPS clerks and carriers rely on the facing marks being visible.
Step 4: Insert Facing Slips into Each Bundle
Each bundle should now get:
- A printed facing slip Labeled “1 of 7”, “2 of 7”, etc.
Optional: Use a stamp or write your agency name on each slip.
Step 5: Organize by Route & Label Boxes
Each route must be packaged separately.
- Use the original postcard shipping boxes or USPS tubs (free at the counter)
- Write the Route ID (e.g., C007) clearly on each box
- Don’t mix routes between boxes
This is especially important if you’re delivering to multiple post offices.
Step 6: Drop Off at the Correct Post Office
Each USPS route corresponds to a specific post office. You can find this info on the EDDM tool sidebar (“Post Office Drop-offs”).
At drop-off:
- Bring your paperwork
- A sample postcard
- Your master list
- USPS clerk will scan your documents
- You’ll be directed to drop off the tubs/boxes around back
Ask when the postcards will be delivered — it’s usually the next business day!
And that’s it — your cards are officially in the mail!
Bonus Tips for Easier Fulfillment
- Need help bundling? Watch: How to Bundle Postcards FAST
- Over 5,000 pieces? Pay across multiple days, or stagger drop-offs
- Too heavy to haul? Schedule USPS pickup or rent a local truck
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Final Thoughts
Preparing EDDM mailers might seem technical at first, but once you’ve done it once, it’s fast and repeatable.
And when you’re offering done-for-you service to local advertisers, your ability to confidently handle fulfillment sets you apart from the amateurs.
Get organized, follow the checklist, and deliver results your clients can hold in their hands.
