---
name: poplar-direct-mail
description: Design and send programmatic direct mail using Poplar's HTML templates and API. Use for creating dynamic mail pieces (postcards, bifolds, trifolds, letters) with personalization and triggering mail via API.
---
# Poplar Direct Mail
## Overview
Design professional direct mail creative using Poplar's HTML template system and send programmatic mail pieces via their API. This skill covers template creation with dynamic personalization, API integration for triggered mailings, and creative best practices for high-converting direct mail campaigns.
## When to Use
- Creating HTML templates for direct mail postcards, bi-folds, tri-folds, or letters
- Building triggered/programmatic direct mail campaigns
- Integrating direct mail into marketing automation workflows
- Designing personalized mail pieces with dynamic content (names, offers, QR codes)
- Sending transactional mail (receipts, confirmations, statements)
- Setting up abandoned cart or win-back mail campaigns
## Prerequisites
- Poplar account ([heypoplar.com](https://heypoplar.com))
- API access token from [Poplar Credentials](https://app.heypoplar.com/credentials)
- Python 3.9+ (for scripts)
- `requests` package
## Installation
```bash
pip install requests
```
Set your API token:
```bash
# Test token (for development - only works with mailing endpoint)
export POPLAR_API_TOKEN="test_your_token_here"
# Production token (for live mailings)
export POPLAR_API_TOKEN="your_production_token_here"
```
## Mail Formats & Dimensions
### Postcards
| Size | Final Trim | With Bleed | Pixels (300 PPI) |
|------|------------|------------|------------------|
| 4" x 6" | 4" x 6" | 4.25" x 6.25" | 1275 x 1875 |
| 6" x 9" | 6" x 9" | 6.25" x 9.25" | 1875 x 2775 |
| 6" x 11" | 6" x 11" | 6.25" x 11.25" | 1875 x 3375 |
**Best for:** Retargeting, time-sensitive promotions, simple messaging, direct mail newcomers
### Bi-folds
| Format | Pixels (300 PPI) |
|--------|------------------|
| Short-fold (folds left to right) | 1725 x 5175 |
| Long-fold (folds top to bottom) | 3375 x 2625 |
**Best for:** Prospecting campaigns, new product launches, complex value propositions
### Tri-folds
| Format | Pixels (300 PPI) |
|--------|------------------|
| Standard Tri-fold | 2625 x 4987 |
**Best for:** Multiple product selections, detailed information, catalogs
### Letters
| Format | Dimensions |
|--------|------------|
| 8.5" x 11" (Color or B&W) | 612 x 792 px (no bleed required) |
**Best for:** Financial/insurance, sensitive content, transactional mailings, professional communications
## HTML Template Structure
### Basic Template
```html
Special Offer Inside!
Hi {{recipient.first_name | default: "Friend"}},
Use code: {{promotion.promo_code}}
```
### CSS Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|-------------|---------|
| CSS Location | All styles in `
