We’ve got great news for our direct mail customers: Starting April 10, postal rates will be rolled back, delivering an average reduction of more than 4 percent to business and nonprofit mailers. Those savings really add up, especially if you rely on large direct mail campaigns to connect with your customers or nonprofit donors. For bulk business and nonprofit mailers, the cost savings on a specific mailing project will depend on variables like the exact type of mail piece, its weight, and handling and sorting needs. But the upshot is, business and nonprofit mailers can expect an average reduction of 4.3 percent.

The rate rollbacks are due to the removal of an “exigent surcharge” that was established by the Postal Regulatory Commission during the Great Recession to help the U.S. Postal Service improve its financial standing. While it’s of course possible that rates will again be increased in the future, our mailing customers will see significant cost savings thanks to the April 10 rollback. The savings extend to the average consumer, too: For individual mail customers, the cost to mail a first-class, one-ounce letter will drop from 49 cents to 47 cents — and it’s the first time the cost to mail a letter has dropped in nearly a century. Additional ounces on letters will drop from 22 cents to 21 cents, and international letters will drop from $1.20 to $1.15. The cost to mail a single postcard will drop from 35 cents to 34 cents.

For bulk business and nonprofit mailers, the cost savings on a specific mailing project will depend on the type of mail piece and its weight. But the upshot is, business and nonprofit mailers can expect an average postage reduction of 4.3 percent. It’s a tremendous opportunity not only for our business customers, but also for nonprofits that rely on direct mail for donor outreach.

“We think nonprofits will mail more,” Stephen Kearney, executive director of the Alliance for Nonprofit Mailers, told The NonProfit Times.

If you are a high-volume mailer, this is a great time to take advantage of the savings offered by lower postage rates by increasing the scope or frequency of your mailing projects..

This all adds up to a tremendous opportunity for you connect with your audience, deliver your message and save money doing so.

Contact Mellady Direct Marketing today to start your next direct mail project, and enjoy the new, lower postage rates!