Does VistaPrint Mail Postcards for You?

Yes, in the US. VistaPrint's Direct Mail Postcards service prints your postcards, prints each recipient's address on them and mails them by USPS First-Class Mail, using a list you upload or a local address list you buy from VistaPrint. Its separate EDDM postcards are different: they're printed and shipped to you, and you take them to the post office and pay postage. On VistaPrint's Canadian site, postcards are printed and shipped to you, and at the time of writing we couldn't find a self-serve mailing service there.

Here's how each option works, based on VistaPrint's published information at the time of writing, and what to use if you need something it doesn't cover.

VistaPrint postcard options at a glance

How VistaPrint's US mailing service works

1. Design the card. Use a template or upload your design, keeping the area USPS needs on the back clear for the address and postage.
2. Choose a list. Upload your own using VistaPrint's template, reuse a saved list, or buy a list of local addresses filtered by area and audience. Purchased lists can't be viewed, for privacy reasons, but can be reused for a year.
3. Set mailing options. Pick a delivery speed and window, and what should happen to undeliverable cards. VistaPrint says you can schedule cards up to four weeks out.
4. Check out. VistaPrint prints, addresses and mails the cards. It quotes up to seven business days of processing, with an option to rush, and typically up to four business days for First-Class delivery.

When we checked, 500 cards at the smallest size, 4.2" × 5.5", were listed at $359.99 USD, with larger sizes costing more. The total cost of mailing 500 VistaPrint postcards compares this with stamping cards yourself.

How VistaPrint's EDDM postcards work

Every Door Direct Mail is a USPS service that delivers to every address on the postal routes you choose, without names or a mailing list. VistaPrint prints EDDM-sized postcards and ships them to you in bundles; you take them to the post office and pay USPS postage separately. It's a good fit for neighbourhood-wide consumer offers. It isn't designed to reach specific people.

What about Canada?

VistaPrint's mailing service is built around USPS. On vistaprint.ca, postcards are printed and shipped to you, so you'd mail them with stamps or through a Canada Post program such as Neighbourhood Mail or Personalized Mail. VistaPrint's offerings can change, so ask them directly if you need a Canadian mailing service. We cover the alternatives in VistaPrint postcard mailing in Canada.

What VistaPrint's mailing service doesn't cover

Based on VistaPrint's product page at the time of writing:

• One message for everyone. Each recipient's address is printed on the same design; the message itself doesn't change per person.
• Household-focused purchased lists. Bought lists are local addresses you can't view, which suits neighbourhood marketing more than reaching named businesses.
• No recipient-level tracking described. You can add a QR code to your design, but one shared code won't tell you which recipient scanned.
• US addresses only. The service runs through USPS.

When VistaPrint's mailing service is a good fit

It's a convenient, low-cost choice for US businesses sending one message to households or to a list of customers, such as a store opening, a seasonal sale or an event invitation, when you don't need to know exactly who responded.

When you need something else

If you need cards mailed within Canada, want to reach named people at specific companies, want each card to speak to the recipient, or need your sales team to know who scanned, a personalized print-and-mail service is a better fit. Yotru, for example, can source business contacts and addresses, personalizes each card, mails in Canada and the US with postage included, and alerts you when a recipient scans their unique QR code. See VistaPrint vs. Yotru and VistaPrint alternatives for business direct mail.

For the full campaign process, from choosing recipients to following up, read how to generate leads with postcards and how to track leads and sales from postcards.

Frequently asked questions

Does VistaPrint mail postcards for you?

In the US, yes, through its Direct Mail Postcards service, which prints, addresses and mails cards by USPS First-Class Mail. Standard and EDDM postcards are shipped to you instead.

Does VistaPrint mail postcards in Canada?

At the time of writing, VistaPrint's Canadian site printed postcards and shipped them to the customer, and we couldn't find a self-serve mailing service there. Check with VistaPrint for current options.

Does VistaPrint pay the postage on EDDM postcards?

No. VistaPrint's EDDM postcards are shipped to you, and USPS postage is paid separately when you drop them off.

Can I upload my own mailing list to VistaPrint?

Yes, for the US Direct Mail Postcards service, using VistaPrint's mailing list template. Uploaded lists stay saved in your account.

How long does VistaPrint take to mail postcards?

VistaPrint quotes up to seven business days for processing, with a rush option, and typically up to four business days for USPS First-Class delivery.

Can VistaPrint send a different message to each recipient?

Its mailing service prints each recipient's address on one shared design. For a message tailored to each recipient, you need a service built for variable, personalized printing.

What's an alternative that mails postcards in both Canada and the US?

Yotru prints and mails personalized postcards in both countries, with postage included and a unique QR code per recipient.

Based on VistaPrint's published information at the time of writing; prices exclude tax and are in USD. VistaPrint is a trademark of its owner; Yotru is not affiliated with VistaPrint.

References

• USPS: Every Door Direct Mail
• Canada Post: Neighbourhood Mail
• Yotru Knowledge Base: Can I order a small, personalized direct mail campaign instead of a bulk mailing?