The U.S. Postal Service (USPS®) 2026 Promotions & Incentives Program offers valuable opportunities for both direct mail and transactional mailers. Registration begins this month, with updates designed to encourage more engaging, innovative, and cost-effective mail.
With higher discounts, a new catalog promotion, and ongoing add-on incentives, 2026 could be one of the most valuable years yet to leverage the power of mail.
What’s New in 2026
Compared with 2025, the USPS has made several significant updates:
- Higher Discounts: Most promotions now offer 5% savings, up from 3–4% in 2025. This includes the Integrated Technology, Tactile, Sensory & Interactive, and Continuous Contact promotions.
- New “Catalog Insights” Promotion: Designed for catalogs with 12 pages or more, this new offer gives businesses up to 10% off postage—encouraging brands to re-imagine the catalog as a high-impact direct-mail tool.
- Simplified Add-Ons: The Informed Delivery® Add-On (1% discount + 0.5% eDoc credit) and Sustainability Add-On (1% for responsibly sourced paper) are now standard options. aCombine them with one of the five promotions.
- Program Changes: The 2025 Reply Mail IMbA Promotion has been retired, streamlining the focus on engagement and technology.
- Shifted Timelines: Registration and promotion periods now overlap more strategically.Marketers can plan campaigns earlier and maintain continuous participation.
2026 USPS Promotions at a Glance
| Promotion | Discount | Registration Period | Period | Type of Mail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Technology Promotion Bring mail to life. Use one of eight digital enhancements, including Augmented or Mixed Reality, Voice Assistants, NFC, Video in Print, or AI. | 5% | November 15, 2025 – December 31, 2026 | Six consecutive months of your choice | First-Class Mail® and USPS Marketing Mail® |
| Tactile, Sensory & Interactive Promotion Elevate engagement through specialty inks, coatings, interactive folds, and textures—like Tension’s TENGroove envelopes. | 5% | October 15, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026 | First-Class Mail® and USPS Marketing Mail® |
| Continuous Contact Promotion Mail more frequently to strengthen customer touchpoints. | 5% | February 15, 2026 – December 31, 2026 | April 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 | USPS Marketing Mail® |
| Catalog Insights Promotion Showcase products through 12-page-plus catalogs. | 10% | August 15, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | October 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | USPS Marketing Mail® |
| First-Class Mail® Advertising Promotion Combine the precision of First-Class Mail with the impact of advertising. | 5% | July 15, 2026 – December 31, 2026 | September 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 | First-Class Mail® |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Catalog Insights Promotion offers a discount on eligible mail options for eligible catalog mailpieces. A catalog is a bound mailpiece with at least 12 pages and visuals. It must contain an organized listing of products or services offered for sale. Find additional eligibility considerations on the USPS website.
No. The retired 2025 promotion is no longer available. The Reply Mail IMbA® (Intelligent Mail® barcode Accounting) Promotion helped mailers with visibility, payment methods, and delivery speeds.
Work with Tension
This is the year of high-impact direct mail. As discounts rise to 10% in select cases and eligibility expands, don’t leave valuable postage savings on the table. From design and print to information about USPS compliance and campaign strategy, Tension can help you create envelopes and printed mailpieces to qualify for and maximize the new USPS 2026 promotions.
Visit tension.com to learn more and plan your 2026 mail promotions today.
The information you find here is informational, and not meant to represent mailpieces approved by the USPS. Exact specifications may be found here. You must contact the USPS for approval and exact program specifications.
