The short answer
Door hangers go on doors: hung on the door handle or knob. They never go in or on a mailbox. Beyond that, a little courtesy goes a long way.
The mailbox rule
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 1725) reserves mailboxes for mail that has paid postage. Putting an unstamped item in a mailbox, or attaching it to one, isn’t allowed. That includes door hangers, flyers and business cards. It also includes tucking something under the flag or wedging it into the door of the box.
If you want to reach the mailbox, mail it
Mailed postcards reach the mailbox legally, and you don’t have to walk the route. The Community Postcard reaches 2,500 homes per edition from $249.
Where door hangers are fine
- On the front door handle or knob. That’s what the die-cut hole is for.
- On a screen door handle, if that’s the door people use.
Leave them where they’re easy to see and won’t blow away. Don’t wedge them in door frames or slide them under doors.
Where to skip
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| “No soliciting” or “No flyers” sign | Skip the home |
| Gated community or locked building | Don’t enter without permission |
| Mailbox | Never, for any reason |
| HOA with distribution rules | Follow them |
| Home with a pile of uncollected hangers | Skip it; nobody’s reading them |
Check local rules
Some cities and many HOAs have rules about distributing printed material. They might limit hours, require a permit or restrict distribution in certain areas. Before you send a crew out, check your city’s rules and any HOA rules for the neighborhood.
Good door hanger etiquette
- Walk on sidewalks and driveways, not across lawns or through gardens.
- Go during reasonable hours. Daytime, not early morning or late evening.
- Close gates behind you.
- Wear a company shirt. Neighbors are more comfortable when they can see who you are.
- Hang them neatly. A tidy hanger reflects a tidy business.
The best place to start: around your job
The easiest, friendliest way to use door hangers is on the homes around a job you just finished. Neighbors saw your truck all day. A hanger tells them who did the work and how to reach you. Compare hand delivery and mail in door hangers vs postcards.
A simple route plan for job-site hangers
When you finish a job, try this:
- Count the homes around the job. The neighbors on both sides, across the street and a few doors down.
- Skip any with no-soliciting signs or gated access.
- Hang the door hanger on each door handle, neatly, facing out.
- Keep it quick and courteous. Stay on paths and driveways.
- Note the street and date so you can track calls that mention the hanger.
A small, consistent habit around every job adds up over time.
What to put on a door hanger
- A line that ties it to the job: “We just finished a roof on your street.”
- One offer for neighbors, with a code or a tear-off coupon.
- Your phone number and a QR code.
- Your business name and logo, clearly.
Keep the copy short. People read door hangers standing at their front door, often with their hands full.
When to mail instead
If you want to reach a whole neighborhood, not just the homes around a job, mail is often simpler. A mailed postcard goes into the mailbox legally and reaches every home on the route without anyone walking it. The Community Postcard reaches 2,500 homes per edition in Draper, Sandy and Cottonwood Heights from $249 a spot, and a solo EDDM mailing lets you pick your own routes.
Keep your reputation in mind
Door hangers put your company name on someone’s front door. A neat hanger, respectful delivery and a crew in company shirts leave a good impression. A hanger stuffed in a mailbox or tossed on a porch does the opposite.
Need door hangers?
We print door hangers with design help available. Pricing is by quote. Contact us or call (385) 360-1966.
