Postmark

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Before setting up the Postmark integration, ensure you have:

• An active DashX account
• A Postmark account
• A registered domain name that you own and have access to its DNS settings

Create a Postmark Server API Token

Postmark uses Server API tokens for authentication. Each server in Postmark has its own API token.

1. Sign in to your Postmark account
2. Navigate to Servers in the left sidebar
3. Either select an existing server or click Add Server to create a new one
4. If creating a new server:
   • Enter a server name (e.g., DashX Production)
   • Select a color for organization (optional)
   • Click Create Server
5. Once you're in the server details page, navigate to API Tokens
6. You'll see the Server API Token - this is what you'll use for authentication
7. Click Show to reveal the token, then copy it

warning

Make sure to securely store your Server API Token. You can regenerate it if needed, but you'll need to update it in DashX if you do.

Verify your domain

Domain verification in Postmark allows you to send emails from your domain and improves deliverability.

1. In the Postmark dashboard, navigate to your server
2. Go to Signatures in the left sidebar
3. Click Add Domain or Signature
4. Select Domain as the signature type
5. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourdomainname.com) and click Add Domain
6. Postmark will generate DNS records that need to be added to your domain
7. You'll see several DNS records:
   • TXT record for domain verification: This verifies domain ownership
   • CNAME records for DKIM: These enable DKIM signing (typically 2 records)
8. Add these records to your domain's DNS settings:
   • Copy the Host and Value from the Postmark console
   • Add them as the corresponding record type (TXT or CNAME) in your DNS provider
   • The exact process varies depending on your DNS provider (Route 53, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, etc.)
9. After adding all records, return to the Postmark console
10. Click Verify DNS Settings
11. Verification may take a few minutes to several hours depending on DNS propagation. The status will change from Pending to Verified once Postmark detects the records

tip

DNS propagation can take up to 48 hours, but typically completes within a few hours. You can check your DNS records using tools like dig or online DNS checkers to verify they're properly configured.

Set up SPF

Sender Policy Framework (SPF) helps prevent email spoofing by specifying which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain.

1. Postmark provides SPF configuration as part of the domain verification process
2. In your domain's DNS settings, add or modify a TXT record with the following:
   • Name/Host: @ or yourdomainname.com (depending on your DNS provider)
   • Type: TXT
   • Value: v=spf1 include:spf.mtasv.net ~all
3. The include:spf.mtasv.net part authorizes Postmark to send emails on behalf of your domain
4. The ~all means "soft fail" - emails from unauthorized servers will be marked but not rejected

note

If you already have an SPF record, you should modify it to include include:spf.mtasv.net rather than creating a duplicate. Multiple SPF records are not allowed. For example, if you have v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all, change it to v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:spf.mtasv.net ~all.

Set up DKIM

DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) adds a digital signature to your emails, allowing recipients to verify that emails were sent and authorized by the owner of the domain.

1. Postmark automatically includes DKIM configuration in the domain verification process
2. The DKIM CNAME records will be provided during domain verification (typically 2 records)
3. Add the DKIM CNAME records to your domain's DNS settings:
   • Each record will have a name like [selector]._domainkey.yourdomainname.com
   • The values will be CNAME records pointing to Postmark's DKIM endpoints
4. After adding the records, Postmark will automatically detect them and enable DKIM signing
5. You can verify DKIM status in the Signatures section of your Postmark dashboard

info

DKIM signing status will show as Verified in the Postmark dashboard once all CNAME records are properly configured and detected. This typically takes a few minutes to a few hours after adding the DNS records.

Set up DMARC

Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) builds on SPF and DKIM to provide instructions on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.

1. In your domain's DNS settings, add a TXT record with the following:
   • Name/Host: _dmarc.yourdomainname.com
   • Type: TXT
   • Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomainname.com
2. Replace dmarc-reports@yourdomainname.com with an email address where you want to receive DMARC aggregate reports
3. The p=none policy means "no action" - this is recommended for initial setup to monitor without affecting email delivery
4. As you gain confidence, you can change the policy to:
   • p=quarantine - Move failing emails to spam/junk folder
   • p=reject - Reject emails that fail DMARC checks

tip

Start with p=none to monitor your email authentication without impacting delivery. Review DMARC reports regularly and gradually tighten the policy as you verify that your legitimate emails are passing SPF and DKIM checks.

Set up BIMI (Optional)

Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) allows you to display your brand logo in supported email clients, enhancing brand recognition and trust.

1. Prepare your logo:
   • Create an SVG version of your brand logo
   • The logo must meet BIMI specifications:
     • SVG format
     • Square aspect ratio (1:1)
     • Maximum file size: 32KB
     • Must be publicly accessible via HTTPS
2. Host the logo:
   • Upload the SVG file to a publicly accessible HTTPS URL (e.g., https://yourdomainname.com/logo.svg)
   • Ensure the server has a valid SSL certificate
3. Add BIMI record to DNS:
   • In your domain's DNS settings, add a TXT record with the following:
     • Name/Host: default._bimi.yourdomainname.com
     • Type: TXT
     • Value: v=BIMI1; l=https://yourdomainname.com/logo.svg
   • Replace the URL with the actual location of your hosted logo

note

BIMI is currently supported by a limited number of email clients (including Gmail for verified senders). Even if not all clients support it, setting up BIMI doesn't negatively impact email delivery and prepares you for broader adoption.

Configure webhook events (Optional)

Postmark can send webhook events for email delivery, bounces, opens, clicks, and other events. This is useful for tracking email performance in DashX.

1. In the Postmark dashboard, navigate to your server
2. Go to Settings > Webhooks
3. Click Add Webhook
4. Configure the webhook:
   • URL: Enter your DashX webhook URL
     • To get the webhook URL: Log in to your DashX workspace, navigate to the Integrations section, find your Postmark integration, and copy the webhook URL
   • HTTP Auth Username (optional): For additional security
   • HTTP Auth Password (optional): For additional security
   • Triggers: Select the events you want to receive:
     • Bounce: Email was bounced
     • Delivery: Email was successfully delivered
     • Open: Email was opened
     • Click: Link in email was clicked
     • Spam Complaint: Recipient marked email as spam
     • Subscription Change: Recipient changed subscription status
5. Click Save Webhook

info

Webhook events are optional but recommended for tracking email performance and engagement metrics in DashX. Without webhooks, you'll still be able to send emails, but you won't receive delivery status updates.

Next steps

After completing the setup:

1. Verify your email authentication setup: Use free online tools to verify that your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are properly configured:

   • MXToolbox Email Health - Comprehensive email authentication checker
   • Mail Tester - Send a test email and get a detailed authentication report

   These tools will help you verify that all DNS records are correctly configured and that your emails will pass authentication checks.

2. Test email sending: Test sending emails through the DashX console:

   • Log in to your DashX workspace
   • Navigate to the Broadcasts section
   • Create a new Broadcast
   • Select your verified domain as the sender
   • Send a test email and verify that it's delivered
   • Verify that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication passes

3. Monitor email metrics: Monitor your email performance through the DashX console:

   • Navigate to the Broadcasts section in your DashX workspace
   • View sending statistics, delivery rates, and engagement metrics
   • Monitor bounce and complaint rates to maintain a good sender reputation
   • Use these metrics to optimize your email campaigns

4. Review Postmark statistics: Check your Postmark dashboard for additional insights:

   • Navigate to Activity to see recent email activity
   • View Stats for detailed sending statistics
   • Monitor Bounces and Spam Complaints to maintain good deliverability

tip

Postmark is known for excellent deliverability and detailed bounce handling. Make sure to regularly review bounce reports and remove invalid email addresses from your lists to maintain good sender reputation.