TL;DR

  • Average EDDM response rate: 4.4% (vs 0.12% for email)
  • Top-performing industries: HVAC (5.2%), Real Estate (4.8%), Restaurants (4.1%)
  • Design review catches response-killing mistakes in 73% of first-time orders
  • Bottom line: EDDM works when the design is right. And most businesses get the design wrong on their first try

What 50 Years of Campaign Data Tells Us

At L&B Printing, we've been tracking EDDM campaign performance since before "Every Door Direct Mail" had a name. Over 50,000 campaigns later, we know exactly what response rates look like across industries. And more importantly, what separates a 2% campaign from a 6% one.

The short answer? It's almost never the paper stock or the postage rate. It's the design. Specifically, the headline, the offer, and the call-to-action.

Response Rates by Industry

Here's what we see across our client base:

  • HVAC and Home Services: 5.2% average response
  • Real Estate: 4.8% average response
  • Restaurants: 4.1% average response
  • Retail: 3.8% average response
  • Healthcare: 3.5% average response

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good EDDM response rate?

Anything above 3% is solid. Above 5% is excellent. The national average across all direct mail is 2.7% according to the DMA, but EDDM typically outperforms because it reaches every household: no cherry-picking means no gaps.

Does L&B Printing offer design review?

Yes. L&B Printing offers free expert design review on every order. Our team checks for response-killing mistakes like unclear calls-to-action, weak headlines, and missing urgency before your campaign goes to print. Call 1.908.232.7770.

Getting Print That Actually Works

The difference between a campaign that generates 47 calls and one that generates 4 is rarely the budget. It's the execution. L&B Printing has been helping businesses get this right since 1974. Start your EDDM campaign with a free design review.