The Seasonal Sweet Spots for Direct Mail
As a print shop owner, timing is everything—especially when it comes to direct mail. While campaigns trickle in year-round, others arrive in powerful seasonal waves that can make or break your production calendar. Knowing when to prepare—and having the right equipment in place—gives you a major advantage. In this post, we’ll explore the best times of year to run direct mail campaigns and how the iJetColor series can help you meet rising demand with confidence, efficiency, and lower costs.
When Direct Mail Works Best
Direct mail remains one of the most effective ways for businesses, nonprofits, and political groups to reach customers. But like any industry, there are peak periods when mailbox competition—and opportunity—rises. Here's a breakdown of the busiest and most profitable times:
Late Summer to Early Fall (August–October)
This is one of the heaviest periods of the year for mailers. It’s driven by:
● Political campaigns gearing up for November elections
● Nonprofits launching year-end giving campaigns
● Schools and universities pushing back-to-school programs
● Retailers prepping for early holiday shoppers
Printers who can handle speed and volume during this season tend to see strong revenue growth. If you're still relying on older or manual systems, it can be difficult to keep up without risking delays or errors.
New Year Kickoff (January–March)
As the holiday dust settles, new campaigns emerge. Industries that thrive during this season include:
● Fitness and wellness
● Financial services and tax prep
● Home services and improvement
● B2B outreach programs
This is a great time for direct mail because consumer inboxes (both digital and physical) are less crowded than during the holidays—giving printed mail a better chance to stand out.
Holiday Rush (November–December)
Even though mailboxes are full, creative and personalized direct mail still performs well in the lead-up to the holidays. Brands lean into:
● Gift guides and holiday catalogs
● Seasonal promotions
● Thank-you and donor recognition mailings
Turnaround time is tight and expectations are high—making reliability and print quality essential.
How iJetColor Helps You Capitalize on Seasonal Demand
Having the right press at the right time turns opportunity into profit. The iJetColor 1175 series—especially the new 1175C model—was designed with seasonal surges in mind. Here's how it gives your shop a competitive edge:
Unmatched Speed
With print speeds up to 10,000+ envelopes per hour, you’ll be equipped to handle urgent, last-minute jobs without sacrificing quality. That kind of throughput means you can say “yes” more often during peak periods.
Low Cost, High ROI
iJetColor presses are powered by HP FI-1000 printhead technology, delivering vibrant color at a low cost per piece. Whether you’re running 5,000 envelopes or 500,000, you’ll see better margins and less waste.
Labor-Saving Automation
Automation is a game-changer, especially when you’re short-staffed or stretched thin. iJetColor systems offer:
● Auto-feed and unload options
● Simple setup and operation
● Workflow integration to reduce manual steps
The result? Your team spends less time on repetitive tasks and more time on production that grows your bottom line.
Versatility for Every Campaign
The iJetColor 1175 series handles media up to 12” x 14”, giving you flexibility to run everything from standard #10s to large flats and custom mailers. That means you can serve more clients across more verticals—without switching machines.
Use the Off-Season to Gear Up
While direct mail has clear peak seasons, the “quieter” times—like early summer and post-holiday months—are perfect for:
● Performing preventive maintenance (before your next big wave)
● Training your team with operator courses
● Upgrading outdated equipment
● Auditing your workflow and automation
Getting ahead during the off-season sets you up to dominate when the busy months hit. And with 0% interest financing and trade-in programs currently available, now is a great time to invest in technology that pays for itself.
Ready for the Next Direct Mail Surge?
The seasons don’t wait, and neither do your customers. If you’re ready to increase your shop’s capacity, reduce labor costs, and win more high-margin jobs, the iJetColor series is built to help you succeed.
Talk to our team today and see how you can be ready—season after season.