Question & Answer
When purchasing direct mail for my business, am I investing in:
A. Postcards
B. Redemptions and customers
The answer is B. If it’s your own money, you want the most sales, redemptions, and conversions possible. But if you’re just ordering postcards for your employer, it’s easy to focus on getting the most postcards for the budget instead. Remember, the true goal is generating redemptions and customers—not just mailing postcards. That’s why choosing formats and strategies that maximize response rates and ROI is crucial.
For B2C marketing, driving measurable results matters most. In contrast, municipalities and utilities sending mass EDDM notices have different goals, usually just fulfilling notification requirements, which is why their postcards focus on being as cost-effective as possible with no real regard to redemptions or conversions.
Why 7,500 AcclaimMailer™ Plastic Postcards Outperform 10,000 Paper Postcards — Every Time
“But I can get so many more paper postcards for the same cost.”
Yes, you can. But more mail pieces don’t necessarily mean more customers, you’ll still likely get fewer redemptions.
When you compare budgets dollar-for-dollar, the cost of sending 7,500 AcclaimMailer™ plastic postcards is about the same as sending 10,000 traditional paper postcards. On paper, quantity seems to favor paper postcards. In practice, the opposite is true: AcclaimMailer™ consistently delivers more conversions and better ROI—despite fewer mailed pieces.
At SSI Cards, we manufacture and mail both AcclaimMailer™ plastic and traditional paper postcards. Our priority is always your best return on investment, not just pushing volume. While some clients may choose paper or even EDDM for reach, these methods typically don’t match the conversion rates or ROI that AcclaimMailer™ achieves. We believe in being transparent and truthful because your success leads to repeat business and long-term partnerships. Helping you get the most value from every marketing dollar is what drives us.
This Is an Investment in Conversions — Not Just Volume
The national average redemption rate for direct mail overall is typically 1–2%, while traditional paper postcards generally achieve around 2–5% redemption. It’s important to note that this average includes a mixture of paper and laminated postcards, with laminated versions often boosting the average slightly.
A paper postcard campaign that achieves around 2% redemption can expect to see 5% or higher when converted to the AcclaimMailer™ format. Similarly, a 5% redemption paper campaign often translates into 10–15% or higher with AcclaimMailer™.
Redemption Comparison Examples
Example 1:
7,500 AcclaimMailers (5% redemption) → 375 redemptions
10,000 Paper Postcards (2% redemption) → 200 redemptions
Example 3:
7,500 AcclaimMailers (10–15% redemption) → 750–1,125 redemptions
10,000 Paper Postcards (5% redemption) → 500 redemptions
Example 4:
10,000 Paper Postcards (10% redemption) → 1,000 redemptions
7,500 AcclaimMailers (20–30% redemption) → 1,500–2,250 redemptions
Quick Insight:
Even when paper postcards perform exceptionally—at 5% or even 10% redemption—the same list and offer combined with AcclaimMailer™ often doubles or triples your redemptions. This is due to AcclaimMailer’s gift card-like design that naturally grabs attention, while its wallet-friendly pop-out coupons—resembling gift cards themselves—are easily redeemed at a moment’s notice or shared with friends and coworkers, extending your campaign’s reach.
More Options Available from SSI Cards
We manufacture a wide range of direct mail products designed to meet diverse marketing needs, including:
- Traditional paper postcards and AcclaimLite™ — classic paper postcards and our thick, unlaminated AcclaimLite™ postcard featuring sturdy pop-out coupons, offering premium durability and interaction at a lower cost
- Flagship AcclaimMailer™ plastic postcards — durable, wallet-friendly plastic mailers known for outstanding redemption rates and premium customization
- NVIO™ AcclaimMailer™ biodegradable plastic postcards — successfully tested in an ISO 17025 lab to ASTM D5511:18 and ISO 17025:2017 standards while retaining the same full-color finish and pop-out coupons as AcclaimMailer™.
- Traditional envelope + content mailers and card mailers — for campaigns requiring more personalized, enclosed messaging and VIP membership card formats
Special Offer for First-Time AcclaimMailer™ Buyers
First-time buyers receive FREE premium Teslin Gift Cards, Teslin Business Cards, or Teslin Loyalty Key Tags with their initial AcclaimMailer™ order—durable, customizable cards ideal for gift or loyalty programs. Learn more on our promotion page.
The Bottom Line
If your goal is to maximize redemptions per marketing dollar, the math and results are clear: the AcclaimMailer™ delivers superior response rates, even with fewer mailed pieces. It’s the smart choice to outperform paper postcards—whether your paper campaign is average or phenomenal.