How Does EDDM Work

Step 7 of 7

EDDM Facing Slips and Drop-Off

A facing slip is a one-page form that sits on top of every EDDM bundle and tells the Post Office which route the bundle belongs to and how many pieces are in it. You print the slips from your order confirmation, fill in the piece count, then take the bundles, slips and PS Form 3587 to the Post Office that delivers your routes.

Last checked against USPS: November 6, 2026

The facing slip, field by field

EVERY DOOR DIRECT MAIL RETAIL FACING SLIP
15-Digit ZIP Code (Required)123452Route Number (Required)C0123Delivery TypeResidential
4Date11/16/20265Total # of Mailpieces per Bundle886Total # of Bundles2 of 5
7Do Not Deliver Address14 Sample Street
8Saturation Mail Description6 x 11 postcard, spring offer9Mailer InformationCompany Name: Your Business
Post Office of Mailing: Anytown, ST
A filled-in example with made-up values, laid out like the USPS EDDM Retail facing slip. The numbers match the field list below.

The EDDM Retail facing slip has these fields:

  1. 5-Digit ZIP Code (required): the ZIP Code of the route.
  2. Route Number (required): the carrier route this bundle goes to.
  3. Delivery Type: the delivery type from your order, such as residential only.
  4. Date: the date of your mailing.
  5. Total # of Mailpieces per Bundle: the number of pieces in this bundle. Count carefully.
  6. Total # of Bundles: which bundle this is out of the route's total, written as "2 of 5".
  7. Do Not Deliver Address: two columns for addresses that should not get your piece (see below).
  8. Saturation Mail Description: a short description of the piece, such as "6 x 11 postcard, pizza menu".
  9. Mailer Information: your company name and the Post Office of mailing.

The slips you print from your order come with the carrier route information, so the main things you add by hand are the piece count and the bundle number.

The Do Not Deliver column

If someone has asked to stop getting your mail, write their address in a Do Not Deliver column on the slip for their route. The carrier will skip that address. Keep a list of these requests and add them to every future mailing.

PS Form 3587

PS Form 3587 is the EDDM Retail form you hand over with your mailing. Fill it out, including the carrier route information on the back. If the online tool isn't working for your ZIP Code, USPS says you can fill out this form by hand and bring it with your mailing instead.

Paying

You choose your payment type when you place the order:

  • Pay online by credit or debit card. Bring the proof of payment receipt from your order paperwork when you drop off.
  • Pay at the Post Office by cash, card or check when you drop off. Your paperwork will show the order as unpaid.

Dropping off

The order summary in the online tool tells you which Post Office to use. It's the one that delivers your selected routes, which may not be your nearest branch.

Bring:

  • all your bundles, each with a facing slip on top
  • PS Form 3587, with the route information completed on the back
  • your payment receipt, or a way to pay
  • your order paperwork

If your routes cover more than one ZIP Code, each ZIP Code's mail goes to the Post Office the order names for it.

Shipping your mailing to a distant Post Office

If you're mailing a ZIP Code you can't easily drive to, USPS lets you ship the mailing there by Priority Mail:

  1. Pack your bundles, with facing slips attached, in boxes.
  2. Add an envelope with:
    • a sample mailpiece
    • a completed PS Form 3587
    • USPS's Postmaster instruction letter
    • if you haven't paid online, a check or money order payable to "Postmaster" or "Postal Service" for the postage, with your phone number in the memo line
  3. Address each box to "Postmaster" at that Post Office's city, state and ZIP Code.
  4. Write "Every Door Direct Mail–Retail" and "Open Immediately" on each box.
  5. Number the boxes, such as "1 of 3", "2 of 3" and "3 of 3".

Priority Mail shipping is an extra cost on top of your EDDM postage.

After drop-off

Your carriers deliver the pieces with the regular mail on your routes. USPS doesn't guarantee a delivery date for Marketing Mail, so if your offer is time-sensitive, mail early. There's no forwarding or return service, and pieces that can't be delivered are thrown away.

Need to cancel? EDDM Retail refunds can be requested online or at the Post Office. Which applies depends on how you paid and whether the mail was already dropped off.

That's the whole process

You've gone from choosing routes to dropping off bundles. Grab the printable EDDM checklist for next time, or see the EDDM FAQ for anything we didn't cover.