Honest comparison

Shared 9×12 Postcard vs EDDM, Valpak & Money Mailer

Direct mail isn't one-size-fits-all. Here's where each option wins, and where Midlands Business Spotlight earns its rate.

	Midlands Spotlight	USPS EDDM (DIY)	Valpak / Money Mailer
Format	9×12 postcard, shared	6.5×12 max	Coupon insert in envelope
Arrives face-up?	Yes, big and impossible to miss	Yes	No, hidden in envelope
Category exclusivity	Yes, one per category	No, competitors mail the same week	Multiple per category common
Cost per mailing	From $175 (2,500 homes)	~$1,000 to $2,000 DIY for the same reach	~$200 to $400
Design included	Yes, free with unlimited revisions	No, you design or pay extra	Yes, but a small panel
Your time	Approve design. Done.	10+ hours: list, design, print, drop	Approve coupon
QR / call tracking	Built in	DIY	Usually not
Turnaround	3 to 4 weeks	2 to 6 weeks (you control)	Monthly cycle

Which one is right for you?

Plain English: when each option wins.

Pick EDDM if…

You have an in-house designer, time for USPS paperwork, and aren't worried about competitors mailing the same week. Cheapest postage per piece, but everything else is on you.

Pick Valpak / Money Mailer if…

You want the lowest possible cost and your offer is purely coupon-driven. Just know your coupon is one of 30+ in an envelope most people throw away unopened.

Pick Midlands Spotlight if…

You want to be the only business in your category, get a 9×12 postcard that's impossible to miss, and don't want to manage design, print, list, or postage yourself.

Want a side-by-side cost quote?

Tell us your area, your category, and your offer. We'll send a quote and a sample 9×12 postcard from a recent campaign.

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