Reputable mail houses are typically well-versed in Postal Economics 101 and often can save you a few cents per piece by passing on some tips on mail design and preparation -- which adds up quickly for a large mailing.

Most mailing services price by the thousand and start with a minimum order of 1000 names. Pricing varies significantly depending on the job. While a 10,000-name self-mailer might cost a few cents per unit, a more complex 3-piece mailing of half that quantity can cost considerably more per unit.

And of course, as with other bulk-orders, your per-unit price goes down as your quantity goes up.