In the world of print marketing, the price of stamps is a huge factor in whether companies go through with a direct mail campaign or not. Oftentimes, marketers consider the price of print marketing materials and the cost of stamps and decide not to follow through with it. However, most marketers would be surprised to find that even with the higher cost of stamps and extra cost in materials, the resulting ROI is worth the investment.
If you’re wondering, “How much do stamps cost in 2026?” you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll dive into the exact cost of stamps, explain why direct mail is worth it, discuss the behind-the-scenes of pricing changes and more.
How Much Do Stamps Cost in 2026?
In 2026, stamps cost $0.78 each for a 1-ounce mailing while businesses save even more with high-volume marketing mail deliveries.
On the business side of things, companies can send EDDM retail marketing flats for only $0.247 for each piece while paying $0.242 per piece for BMEU mail flats, according to the USPS. Companies often take advantage of bulk mailing discounts and offers to bring down costs even more. On average, a business could expect to pay as little as 10 cents a piece (or less) for mailing. Alongside turnkey printing services, companies can save even more on materials and total campaign costs.
How Much Will Stamps Cost in 2026? Why Do Prices Keep Increasing?
Later in 2026, it’s expected that stamp costs will rise to accommodate growing costs. Typically, it’s common to see stamp prices increase one to two times annually, but the USPS has a 10-year plan in place. This plan is to keep stamps and direct mail as affordable as possible to encourage businesses to continue using physical mail. However, to keep up with inflation, the cost of stamps keeps rising year after year.
Is Direct Mail Worth the Price of Stamps in 2026?
Yes! While the price of direct mail is sometimes higher than digital marketing, it’s well worth the cost of extra materials and stamps with results alone. There are a multitude of reasons why direct mail works so well and is worth the extra effort. Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Higher engagement rates
- Longer viewing times
- Better information recall from mail
- More credibility and professionalism
- Amplified ROI with multichannel marketing
Related Content: Is Print Marketing Worth the Price of Postage?
How Much Does It Cost to Send Direct Mail?
Sending mail is incredibly beneficial for ROI, but it does have a cost. The cost of postage stamps, materials and printing costs, mailing lists and targeted ads, and design and finishing services are all attributed to the investment.
The cost breakdown to send direct mail is usually somewhere around:
- Standard postage costs: $0.20 to $1.00 per piece
- Printing costs: $0.10 to $5 per piece
- Mailing list costs: $0.03 to $1 per record/name
- Design and creative costs: 5% to 15% of total cost
- EDDM costs: $0.24 to $0.27 per piece
While these prices offer a rough estimate of costs, understanding the exact pricing and deciding on a budget for your next campaign are crucial and unique to every company. Our digital and targeted mail partner, Mailbox Merchants, can help you lower distribution costs even further.
Here at Signature Graphics, our team uses a variety of USPS mail incentives to help our customers achieve the highest ROI and best design for your brand while keeping costs low. Reach out today to get started and see how print can enhance your next campaign.
Related Content: 10 Reasons Not to Use Direct Mail (And Why They’re All Wrong)
How Can You Keep Commercial Printing Costs Down?
The best way to keep commercial printing costs down is to see what USPS mailing incentives you can find and opt for high-volume orders to save even more.
Another great way to save money is by finding comprehensive print services that cover everything from design, print, assembly and delivery. Using these turnkey services saves time and money since you’re getting the services bundled.
Last but not least, opting for more budget-friendly materials can save you even more money with your print campaigns.
Related Content: How to Use USPS Mailing Incentives to Lower Direct Mail Costs
High-Quality, High-Volume Commercial Printing Services
After learning how much stamps cost in 2026 and the benefits of using mail marketing, you might be considering going through with high-volume commercial printing services or a direct mail campaign to increase ROI and brand awareness for your business.
Here at Signature Graphics, we have over 30 years of experience in print manufacturing and can help you with any of your printing needs. With comprehensive print, design, assembly and delivery services, we offer à la carte options and all-in-one services.
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