The U.S. painting and coatings industry was valued at around $33.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $42.7 billion by 2030. With demand for both residential and commercial painting services on the rise, now’s the time for painting companies to capture attention in their local markets.
But in a crowded industry, how can you stand out?
Direct mail is one of the most effective and affordable ways for paint companies to promote their services and get in front of homeowners and business owners in need of a fresh coat.
Below, we’ll cover why direct mail works, how to design a winning postcard, and give you real examples from painting companies using direct mail to win jobs and boost their brand.
Why Direct Mail Works for Painting Companies
Here’s why direct mail—especially EDDM—is a no-brainer for painters:
1. Hyperlocal Targeting
EDDM allows you to blanket entire neighborhoods, zip codes, or just specific mail routes. Target high-income areas, homes over a certain age (more likely to need repainting), or neighborhoods where you’ve recently completed a job.
2. Visual Showcase
Painting is a visual service. Direct mail gives you space to showcase before-and-after photos, color transformations, and the quality of your work—something you can’t always do effectively in a small digital ad.
3. Trust-Building
Homeowners trust local, established providers. A professional-looking postcard with your credentials, testimonials, and years of experience adds credibility and builds trust quickly.
4. High ROI
Direct mail consistently delivers the highest ROIs in offline marketing for SMBs. It’s tangible, memorable, and has a longer shelf life—many homeowners will save your postcard for weeks until they’re ready to paint.
Best Practices for Painting Company Postcards
If you’re sending out postcards to drum up new business, here are a few best practices to follow:
Use Strong Visuals
Include before-and-after photos of homes or commercial buildings you’ve painted. People need to see your work to trust it.
Highlight a Limited-Time Offer
A discount like “$300 off exterior painting – this month only” creates urgency and drives calls.
Make It Easy to Contact You
Include a phone number, website, and QR code that leads to your quote request form or gallery of work.
Add a Customer Testimonial
A short quote from a happy homeowner builds credibility and trust.
Mention Your Specialties
Do you specialize in interiors? Exteriors? Commercial buildings? Cabinet refinishing? Be specific.
Brand Your Mailer
Use your company logo, brand colors, and a consistent voice across all marketing materials.
5 Real Examples of Painting Company Direct Mail
Below are five examples of how painting companies have used postcards to promote their services, win new jobs, and grow their brand.
These examples showcase a variety of approaches—from discount-driven offers to high-end branding pieces.
East Coast Painters
This postcard is successful because it combines eye-catching before-and-after visuals with a compelling 20% off winter special, creating urgency and highlighting the painter’s expertise. The back reinforces the offer with a clear call-to-action, easy-to-scan QR code, and multiple ways to get in touch—making it incredibly user-friendly and conversion-focused.
Casey’s Painting
Casey’s Painting nails it with a bold $500 offer, personal intro, and clean, modern design that instantly builds trust. The postcard effectively combines a strong call-to-action, local connection (“Hi neighbor!”), and beautiful project photos to inspire homeowners while driving urgency and engagement with a QR code for instant quotes.
Innovative Painting & Cleaning
This postcard stands out with its bold branding, professional vehicle wrap, and clear positioning as a trusted renovation partner, which instantly builds credibility. The strong service list, visuals of real projects, and prominent contact info—including a QR code—make it easy for both residential and commercial clients to see IPC as a one-stop solution for their painting and drywall needs.
AMC Painting
AMC Painting’s mailer succeeds by pairing seasonal messaging (“Create a Cozy Winter Haven”) with a generous $350 discount that encourages immediate action. The postcard builds trust with professional guarantees like a Zero Deposit Promise and Complimentary Estimates, while also offering multiple contact options, a QR code, and a warm, family-friendly visual theme that feels personal and timely.
Tia’s Paint & Stain
Tia’s Paint & Stain makes an impression with bold colors, playful paint-splatter visuals, and a 15% referral discount that encourages word-of-mouth growth. The messaging emphasizes reliability with “fully insured” services and highlights both residential and commercial capabilities, while the oversized phone number and “Call Today!” CTA ensure it’s easy to take the next step.
RC Painting
RC Painting’s postcard delivers a highly professional look with a clear, trustworthy message—emphasizing 20 years of experience, licensed and insured status, and quality craftsmanship. The dual-sided layout strategically uses strong service icons, authentic job-site imagery, and a standout QR code and contact section to make it easy for prospects to act fast and feel confident in choosing RC Painting.
FREE Postcard Templates for Painters
Want to get started without starting from scratch?
Taradel offers FREE customizable postcard templates designed specifically for painting companies.
These templates are professionally designed, optimized for EDDM printing and delivery, and super easy to personalize.
View all our FREE templates here.
Take Aways
Painting companies have a unique opportunity to use direct mail to reach homeowners at just the right time—whether they’re moving in, prepping to sell, or simply tired of faded walls. With eye-catching design, a compelling offer, and local targeting, direct mail can help you book more jobs and build lasting recognition in your service area.
