How to Send Postcards

Send postcards for a simple and inexpensive mailing option

Simplify some of your mailings by using postcards. Because of their size, postcards lend themselves to quick notes. Sending postcards also enables you to save money on postage because the postage rate for postcards is less than for letters. Send postcards when you can to save money and time, but make sure your postcards fit within the guidelines set forth by the United States Postal Service (USPS) if you want to send your postcards by the current postcard rate.

Things You'll Need

• Postcard stamps

Instructions

1. Choose postcards that are rectangular. The USPS will not deliver postcards that are not rectangles.

2. Use postcards that are at least 3.5 inches high and 5 inches long. Your postcards must also be at least .007 inch thick or the post office will not deliver them.

3. Choose postcards that are not more than 4.25 inches high and 6 inches long. They should also be no more than .016 inches thick if you want to send them by the postcard rate. If your postcard is larger than these dimensions, you may have to pay the current large envelope or letter postage rates instead.

4. Write your message on the left side of the postcard. Address your postcard on the right side of the postcard.

5. Affix the postage (see references for current prices) in the upper right corner of the postcard, above the mailing address. If your postcard does not fit the criteria explained in step 3, take your postcard to the post office to mail it because the postage will not be the current postcard rate.

6. Place the postcard into a mailbox to mail it.

References

• USPS: First Class Cards