“Can a Robot Turn a Canvas into a Beautiful Masterpiece?” Maybe. What I do Know is It Can Save You 3% on Direct Mail

Eric Genova Headshot

Welcome to the second installment of our ongoing series exploring the 2025 USPS Promotions! Throughout the year, we’ll be diving deep into these exciting opportunities to help you save money and boost your direct mail ROI.

Eric Genova – Senior VP Professional Services – 01/23/2025 08:00 AM
  • What it is: This promotion encourages mailers to incorporate emerging technologies like AI-generated images into their direct mail campaigns to create innovative and engaging visuals.
  • How much you can save: 3% discount on eligible mailpieces.
  • When it’s available: The promotion runs throughout 2025. You can activate your participation anytime within the year, and the discount will apply for six consecutive months from your chosen start date.
Stack of Business Cards

Unlocking the Visual Power of AI in Direct Mail

Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot challenged us to think about the boundaries of creativity and the role of technology in our lives. Now, AI is pushing those boundaries further than ever before, even in the world of direct mail. In our last post, we explored how AI can help you write compelling direct mail copy. Now, let’s dive into the exciting world of AI-generated images and how they can elevate your campaigns.

What is AI Image Generation and How Does it Work?

AI image generation involves using artificial intelligence to create unique and realistic images from scratch. These tools use complex algorithms and machine learning models to analyze vast amounts of visual data and generate images based on specific prompts and parameters.

It’s Easier Than You Think

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to harness the power of AI image generation. There are several user-friendly tools available, such as:

Crafting Effective Prompts

To get the best results, it’s important to provide clear and specific prompts to the AI. Here are a few tips:

  • Be descriptive: Use detailed language to describe the image you want to create.
  • Specify the style: Indicate whether you want a photorealistic image, an illustration, or something more abstract.
  • Set the tone: Just like with copy, you can tell the AI the desired tone for the image (e.g., playful, serious, futuristic).
  • Provide context: Give the AI information about your company, brand, and target audience.

Example Prompts:

  • “A photorealistic image of a family enjoying a healthy meal around a dining table, with a warm and inviting atmosphere.”
  • “A vibrant illustration of a group of young people hiking in a lush forest, conveying a sense of adventure and freedom.”
  • “An abstract image representing the concept of financial growth and stability, using cool colors and geometric shapes.”

See It to Believe It

Remember that image at the top of this post? Go ahead, check it out again. Believe it or not, I created that with a simple prompt using Gemini Advanced 2.0:

“Generate a photorealistic picture of a high-end printing press printing Direct Mail postcards.” It’s that easy!

Why This Promotion Matters

  • Explore new visual styles: AI can help you generate a wide range of images, from photorealistic scenes to abstract concepts, giving you fresh inspiration and expanding your creative toolkit.
  • Save time and resources: Instead of spending hours searching for the perfect stock photos, you can quickly generate unique images with AI, freeing up your time and budget for other important tasks.
  • Boost engagement: Capture attention with eye-catching visuals that tell a story and evoke emotions.
  • Maximize your budget: Take advantage of the 3% postage discount offered by the USPS and get more out of your direct mail campaigns.

Your 6-Month Window of Savings

Here’s an important detail about the Integrated Technology Promotion: you choose when the discount starts, and it lasts for six consecutive months. This means you can strategically time your campaigns to maximize your savings throughout the year. Take advantage of the discount when it best suits your marketing calendar and budget.

Stack Your Savings

Did you know you can combine the Integrated Technology Promotion with other USPS promotions to maximize your discounts? For example, you can stack it with the Informed Delivery promotion (1% discount) and the Sustainability promotion (another 1% discount) to get a total of 5% off your postage! We’ll be covering both of these promotions in detail in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

DG3 Takes Care of the Details

Worried about navigating the USPS approval process? Don’t be! At DG3, we’re well-versed in the requirements for the Integrated Technology Promotion. Simply provide us with your AI-generated images, and we’ll handle the rest. We’ll work with the USPS to ensure your mailpieces qualify for the discount, so you can focus on what you do best – creating amazing marketing campaigns.

DG3: Your Direct Mail Partner

At DG3, we handle the entire direct mail process, allowing you to focus on your core marketing strategies. Here’s how we can help:

  • Data Mastery: We receive your creative and data files, perform data cleansing, segmentation, mapping and proofing.
  • Versioning and Testing: We can create and manage multiple versions of your creative for A/B testing and variability, maximizing your campaign’s effectiveness.
  • Postal Optimization: Our experts analyze your mailpiece and mailing list to determine the most cost-effective postal processing methods, saving you money beyond the USPS discounts.
  • Track Your Mail’s Journey: Gain valuable insights into your campaign’s performance with our comprehensive mail tracking services. We can provide delivery reports by date, geography, or even down to the individual level. We can also track responses to QR codes or links on your mail, giving you a complete picture of your campaign’s effectiveness.
  • Print and Delivery Excellence: We print and mail your campaigns with the highest quality and accuracy, ensuring your message reaches your audience in pristine condition.

Stay Tuned for More!

This is just the beginning of our journey through the 2025 USPS Promotions. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore other aspects of the Integrated Technology Promotion, dive into additional USPS discounts, and share practical tips for creating mail that gets results.

Ready to unlock the power of AI in your direct mail?

Contact DG3 for a free consultation on how to maximize your direct mail ROI with AI and other USPS promotions. For a calendar of the full 2025 promotions, visit https://dg3.com/resource-library/2025-usps-promotions-calendar/

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