Hartford Business Journal

18 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 3, 2025 Ann Hogan, chief operating officer for The Best Postcards, said the company is considering acquiring a second Heidelberg offset press, like the one seen here, as their business expands. HBJ Photo | Dave Krechevsky Print Appeal The Best Postcards expands in Cheshire as direct mail marketing holds steady amid digital shift their own materials. So we have control over every step of the way with a client." Adding to its distinctive setup, the company also operates with a global leadership team: Ettinger now lives in Costa Rica, while Chief Financial Officer Joseph Raby is based in Israel. Press room At its Cheshire facility, profession- al-grade laser printers hum as The Best Postcards' staff turns out postcards, brochures and marketing materials for clients nationwide. The operation includes a Kyocera printer that prints on offset paper, often used in books and brochures, along with an ultraviolet printer that uses UV light to print on a variety of materials — primarily yard signs. The company also operates cutting machines capable of handling cardboard, metal and glass. The production floor's centerpiece is a massive Heidelberg offset press, which can be used to quickly print longer runs of brochures, direct-mail pieces, letterhead, posters and paper- based labels and packaging. Company officials declined to share revenue or sales figures, but Hogan said Best Postcards continues to grow and is considering adding a second press, which would be set up in the new building. "Just the way we've expanded since 2019 has been exponential, year over year," she said. If the company adds equipment in its second location, it likely would add more staff as well, she said. Best Postcards employs a mix of skill sets, including graphic designers and data analysts. Staffing levels haven't been affected by artificial intelligence, By David Krechevsky davidk@hartfordbusiness.com I n an era when most eyes are focused on social media sites like Facebook, X and TikTok, one might think the days of businesses marketing via "snail mail" are nearing an end, if not already over. While the volume of direct mail marketing has fallen over the past few years, many businesses still rely on it as a way to reach and retain customers. According to the U.S. Postal Service, 57.5 billion pieces of direct mail were sent in 2024, down 3.2% from a year earlier and down more than 28% from 2015. Yet, businesses continue to utilize direct mail marketing as a signifi- cant part of their advertising budgets. That's no surprise to The Best Postcards, a direct mail marketing firm that's expanded its Cheshire footprint over the past few years amid a growth streak. Founded in Branford in 2018 by CEO Andrew Ettinger with just 11 employees, the company now has 56 workers and is headquartered at 30 Grandview Court, a 29,650-square-foot Cheshire office and production building it purchased in December 2021 for $1.75 million. In October, The Best Postcards acquired a second Cheshire property — a 20,000-square-foot former food-pro- cessing facility at 21 Diana Court — for $2.1 million. Chief Operating Officer Ann Hogan said the new building will serve primarily as warehouse space for now. "It will most likely also be a rental for anybody else that needs warehouse space," she said, "but it was just a good time for us to expand now for needs in the future." It's been quite a journey for The Best Postcards, considering it started from scratch in an 8,000-square-foot space in Branford. Today, it serves clients in all 48 contiguous states, from Hamden- based K&J Tree Service to Planet Fitness, which operates nationwide. Hogan said the company has grown by offering one-stop shopping. "It's definitely having everything under one roof," she said. "A lot of the other marketing companies that do the same kind of mailers that we do, they don't print their own materials, they don't ship AT A GLANCE The Best Postcards Industry: Direct Mail Marketing Founded: 2018 Top Exec: Andrew Ettinger, Co-founder & CEO HQ: 30 Grandview Court, Cheshire Employees: 56 Contact: 888-531-5862 80B 70B 60B 50B U.S. DIRECT-MAIL VOLUME Source: USPS 2017 2020 2018 2021 2019 2022 2023 2024 VOLUME

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