Nadia Petrov Customer Education Lead at 4OVER4.COM
Nadia is our customer education voice, built from the knowledge of our production team, with over 20 years in printing.
Question
What's the difference between First Class and Standard?
Answer
The main difference comes down to speed and cost. USPS only counts the time a piece spends in transit when it estimates delivery, so the numbers below reflect processing and travel, not the day you hand off the job. First Class moves faster and Standard (Marketing Mail) is more economical for larger quantities.
| Option | Best for | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | Time-sensitive mail, smaller runs | Faster delivery |
| Standard (Marketing Mail) | Bulk campaigns where cost matters most | Longer, more variable delivery |
- Choose First Class when timing is critical or the quantity is modest.
- Choose Standard when you are mailing in volume and can allow extra days in transit.
Marketing Mail needs at least 200 identical pieces and a mailing permit, and its postage per piece is lower. Delivery usually takes about 3 to 10 days, against a few days for First Class.
Ready to order?
Get your direct mail postcards printed at 4OVER4
