Marriage Mail: The Postal Hack Every Publisher Should Know

Print Big, Mail Smart: Why Publishers Are Saying ‘I Do’ to Marriage Mail

Marriage Mail is a powerful direct mail strategy where multiple advertisers combine their promotions into one shared mail piece. Think of it as a collaborative advertising bundle—typically including coupons, sales notices, or special offers—delivered to households as a single, cost-efficient item.

For publishers, especially those producing coupon books, directories, or promotional inserts, this model offers a significant opportunity to reduce mailing costs. The USPS now provides a 10% postage discount through the Marriage Mail Incentive for qualifying mailings—an attractive benefit that can drive down expenses and increase ROI.

To qualify, the mail piece must:

• Be a saturation Marketing Mail letter or flat, including EDDM-Commercial.

• Contain advertisements from at least four different advertisers.

• Weigh no more than 2 ounces.

• Be mailed at least 10 times annually by the same Mail Owner CRID.

• Be submitted electronically (via mail.dat, mail.XML, or Postal Wizard).

The incentive is designed to support the mailing industry while helping small businesses and publishers reach local consumers affordably. And yes—this discount can be combined with other USPS incentives, offering even more ways to save.

For publishers looking to make the most of their print products, especially coupon books or shared mail formats, incorporating Marriage Mail can create a win-win: lower costs for advertisers and broader reach for your publications. Connect with your USPS rep today to see if your next project can qualify for the Marriage Mail Incentive. Don’t leave money on the table—bundle up and save.

Read more about Marriage Mail here.