Uploading Creative

After setting up your campaign, it's time to upload your creative files. These are essential for activating your campaign and testing integrations.

Types of Creatives

• Static: PDF, PNG/JPEG (Not suitable for merge tag personalization)
• Dynamic: HTML/CSS (Required for 1:1 personalization)

Before Uploading, Ensure:

• Files have a distinct Front and Back. The back gets an auto-applied address block.
• Designs are full coverage without white edges, crop marks, or address placeholders.
• Incorporate a 0.125in bleed on all sides. This means dimensions should be 4.25 x 6.25, 6.25 x 9.25, or 6.25 x 11.25 for postcards.
• Use high-quality images at 300 DPI/PPI and ensure static creatives are in PDF/X-4 format.

For more detailed guidelines and export instructions, check our Static and Dynamic creative guides. If you're not familiar with HTML/CSS but wish to use dynamic merge tags, Poplar provides complimentary translation services to convert static designs to dynamic HTML. Learn more and submit your request here:

Start by clicking into your campaign and navigating to the Creative tab, then click New Creative in the top right to begin:

Creative Selection

First, you'll see the option to select the creative format that aligns with your design files. Then you'll be prompted to give your creative a unique name:

Next you'll select postage speed and paper type. USPS Standard shipping typically reaches homes within 7-15 business days (Monday-Friday), where USPS First Class can start to hit homes between 5-7 business days from launch - see a breakdown of our production and in-home timelines here. These estimates are subject to change considering federal holiday closures and on USPS back-log during major holidays. Our 4 x 6 and 6 x 9 postcard formats have first class shipping baked into the base price, but as you switch between formats and shipping speeds you'll notice the price per-piece calculate in the top right.

Poplar offers two paper stock options: premium coated and uncoated:

Upload Creative

If you selected one of our postcard formats, you'll be prompted to drag & drop your front and back files into the platform for upload. The address block will be auto-applied to the back, so make sure the uploaded files are in the correct order. If you selected a letter, bi-fold or tri-fold format you'll be prompted to upload a single file - if your letter has multiple pages or is double sided, make sure all pages/sides are within a single PDF or HTML file. Other key items to consider during upload:

• Supported file formats: PDF, PNG, JPG, HTML
• Maximum file size: 5MB

Set Merge Tags HTML Only

If your dynamic HTML creative contains any custom merge tags, you'll be prompted to set a default value as a fallback in the event of blank data. These fallbacks are for custom merge tags only. If your creative contains default merge tags (such as first name) or a promotion merge tag this step will be skipped - this is not an indication the merge tags are missing from the creative. You have the option to opt out of setting a default value if a fallback isn't applicable, but we definitely recommend setting one whenever possible.

PDF Proof: Review & Finalize

The final step in the upload process is reviewing the PDF proof of the final product after trim, with the address block and default merge tag data applied. ALWAYS closely review your proof by downloading it and opening the file outside of the browser, here are a few key things to look for:

• Spelling errors, typos, blurry images or text, missing promo codes or QR codes
• Make sure the address block is on the correct side and not covering any important text or images
• Double check expiration dates are at least 30 days from the launch date
• No text is being cut off or running too close to the edge

Creative Overview

Click into your creative to see an overview of the Creative Details and to access functions such as Edit Creative, Set as Default, Deactivate Creative, download Uploaded Artwork files and Proofs. Towards the bottom of the page you'll see a list of all merge tags present in the creative, any promotions the creative is connected to, and Data Guides for CSV and API templates.

Edit Creative

This allows you to edit the Creative Name and Shipping speed ONLY. Any other updates such as paper type, size, or file edits will require uploading new creative and deactivating the old one.

Set as Default

If you're running a triggered campaign and want to fire one specific creative, you may do this by setting it as the default. When a default is set, you do not need to include creative_id in your webhook trigger - if creative_id is set in your webhook it will override the default setting. If you're looking to A/B test multiple creatives, make sure a default is not set and the platform will automatically randomize between all active creatives under the campaign.

Deactivate Creative

Deactivating a creative renders it inactive for mailing. This means if you have any active webhook triggers pointing to an inactive creative_id, mailings will stop firing.