USPS Integrated Technology Promotion Success Guide
As emerging technologies continue to permeate the marketing world, direct mail companies have found innovative ways to integrate print and digital to increase open and response rates. Businesses and agencies that adopt these strategies can use mailers to motivate digital engagement.
The USPS recognizes the power of integrated print and digital marketing and offers discounts of up to 5% for mailers that incorporate digital elements. Here’s how to take advantage of the USPS Integrated Technology Promotion, how it works, and how to maximize discounts and ROI.
Integrated Technology Mailers Reduce Costs and Drive Engagement
Studies have shown that integrated mailers increase engagement.
- Direct mail leads 92% of recipients to engage online – and 87% to shop digital channels (USPS)
- Combined print and digital marketing campaigns increase attention by 39% (USPS)
Integrated Technology mailers not only drive more engagement, but they also offer cost savings, as the USPS offers incentives for integrating technology into direct mailers.
Integrated Technology Promotion Discounts
Integrated Technology mailers qualify for a 3% discount, but you can get an additional 2% – for a total of 5% – with add-ons.
- Integrated Technology Mailers: 3% discount
- Informed Delivery (track and preview incoming mail): 1% discount
- Sustainability (use sustainable paper in your mailers): 1% discount
Integrated Technology Mailers (3%) + Informed Delivery (1%) + Sustainability (1%) = 5% Total Discount
Important Dates
- Registration period: Nov. 20, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2025
- Promotion period: 6 consecutive months in 2025
Eligibility
- USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats
- Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats
- First-Class Mail letters, cards, and flats
What Qualifies as Integrated Technology Mailers?
The following examples qualify for the USPS Integrated Technology Promotion.
| Augmented Reality (AR) | Mixed Reality (AR) | Virtual Reality (VR) | Voice Assistants |
| 3D elements, images, and animation
Example: A QR code that leads to an interactive AR experience |
Requires a wearable device (such as a headset) to immerse users in an MR experience
Example: A QR code or NFC chip that leads to an interactive MR experience |
Simulates an environment from the recipient’s perspective
Example: A QR code that downloads a VR app that works with VR devices |
A mailer that works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice prompts
Example: Text that prompts users to say, “Hey Google, go to [our website]” |
| Video in Print (VIP) | Near Field Communication (NFC) | Mobile Shopping | Artificial Intelligence (AI) |
| Integrated video
Example: A QR code that opens a “shoppable” video |
Embedded NFC chips
Example: An NFC chip that launches a video when tapped with a smartphone |
Features that lead to a mobile optimized shopping website
Example: A QR code that opens an ecommerce site |
Copy or images created by generative AI
Example: A call to action generated by ChatGPT |
How to Maximize Savings and ROI with the Integrated Technology Promotion
One of the best features about the Integrated Technology Promotion is that the discounts can offset a significant portion of your envelope printing costs. Of course, it’s important to make informed decisions to optimize savings and ROI. Be sure to consider the following:
- How integrating technology impacts production costs
- How much the discounts offset those production costs
- How to leverage add-ins (like sustainable envelopes) to maximize discounts
- How to estimate increased open and response rates when sending integrated technology mailers
Priority Envelope is here to help. As a strategic partner, we’re well-versed in USPS rules and the nuances of optimizing direct-mail envelopes for success.
