QR Codes Unleashed: Unlock a 3% postage discount and boost your direct mail ROI

Eric Genova Headshot

Welcome to the fourth 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 – 02/06/2025 08:00 AM

The USPS QR Code Integrated Technology Promotion at a Glance

  • What it is: This promotion encourages mailers to incorporate QR codes that link to a mobile-optimized shopping experience in their direct mail campaigns. This allows customers to seamlessly purchase products or services using their smartphones.
  • 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.

QR Codes: Bridging the Gap Between Print and Digital

In our last post, we explored the exciting possibilities of NFC technology in print. Now, let’s dive into another technology that can enhance your direct mail and boost customer engagement: QR codes.

Like NFC, QR (Quick Response) codes bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds, providing a seamless way for your audience to access additional content and experiences. However, unlike NFC, which requires the addition of a chip and the expenses associated with it, QR codes are widely understood and can be easily incorporated into your direct mail at no additional cost beyond the ink required to print them.

How QR Codes Work

For the uninitiated, using a QR code is incredibly simple. Most modern smartphones have built-in QR code scanning capabilities directly within their camera apps. Simply open your camera app, point it at the QR code, and your phone will automatically recognize and process the code. Once scanned, a notification will usually appear, allowing you to open a link to the associated digital content, such as a website, video, or landing page. It’s that easy.

Branding Your QR Codes

Something that many people are not aware of is that QR codes can be customized to match your branding. You can add your logo, change the colors, and even embed images within the code itself, making it more visually appealing and engaging. This can help reinforce your brand identity and create a more cohesive experience for your audience.

Girl checking the phone

Variable QR Codes for Personalized Experiences

One of the most powerful applications of QR codes in direct mail is the ability to create unique codes for each recipient. This allows you to track individual engagement, personalize the customer experience, and gather valuable data about your audience’s preferences and behaviors. For example, you could use variable QR codes to:

  • Direct recipients to personalized landing pages with tailored content or offers.
  • Track which recipients scanned the code and how they interacted with the digital content.
  • Offer unique discount codes or promotions to individual recipients.
  • Gather data on recipient preferences to improve future campaigns.

By incorporating variable QR codes into your direct mail, you can create a more targeted and effective campaign that delivers a truly personalized experience for each recipient.

Why This Promotion Matters

  • Enhance engagement: Encourage recipients to interact with your brand by providing them with instant access to additional content, promotions, or experiences.
  • Drive traffic: Direct recipients to your website, landing pages, or social media channels to increase online engagement and conversions.
  • Track results: Monitor the performance of your direct mail campaigns by tracking QR code scans and analyzing user behavior.
  • 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

Remember, the Integrated Technology Promotion allows you to 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 incorporating QR codes and meeting the USPS requirements for the promotion? Don’t be! At DG3, we’re well-versed in the intricacies of direct mail production and postal regulations. We’ll handle all the technical details to ensure you qualify for the 3% postage discount, so you can focus on creating amazing marketing campaigns.

Our team will:

  • Generate trackable QR codes: We’ll create unique QR codes that link to the appropriate mobile shopping experience.
  • Register you for the promotion: We’ll handle the registration process with the USPS, ensuring all the necessary paperwork is completed correctly.
  • Submit your mailpiece for approval: We’ll work with the USPS to ensure your mailpiece meets the requirements for the promotion and is approved for the discount.

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:

  • QR Code Expertise: We’ll help you generate trackable QR codes and ensure your codes are scannable and lead to the intended content.
  • USPS Promotion Assistance: Our data and mail experts will ensure you receive the full USPS discount by registering for the promotion with the USPS, and submitting your mailpiece for approval
  • Data Mastery: We receive your creative and data files, then perform data cleansing, segmentation, and other data-related tasks to ensure accuracy and optimize targeting.
  • Seamless Integration: We’ll seamlessly incorporate your QR codes into your mailpiece design, ensuring they are prominently displayed and easy to scan.
  • 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.
  • 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, giving you a complete picture of your campaign’s effectiveness.

Ready to Unlock the Power of QR Codes 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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