How to Create & Print Postcards

Create and print postcards using either your own or free templates. How you print or produce the cards will depend on what you want them to look like, how many you need and how you plan to use or mail them. You can print a few at a time on a color printer with at least 300 dpi resolution, but digital printing makes it possible to get beautiful cards by the hundreds for the cost of a single inkjet cartridge. Use companies that allow you to pre-purchase production runs, then they will print, custom address and mail the cards for you in small quantities or even one at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Image editing or creation software
• Graphics or word-processing software
• Free templates (optional)
• Card stock or paper thick enough for postcards
• Inkjet or laser printer
• Paper trimmer
• Straight edge
• Craft knife

Instructions

Create the Layouts for the Postcards

1. Decide on the size postcard you wish to create and produce. The most common sizes in the U.S. are around 4 by 6 inches and 6 by 9 inches, depending on how they will be cut from a printing press sheet. The USPS allows only cards as small as 3.5 by 5 inches and as large as 4.25 by 6 inches and with thicknesses between .007 and .016 inches to be mailed at a special first-class postcard rate. All others require additional postage.

2. Edit or create the images for your cards to adjust color, cropping and other attributes using the photo or image-editing software of your choice.

3. Select a template to match the dimensions of the cards to be created and load it into the software you will use to design and layout the cards. Commercial companies will have templates that match their production equipment and work with popular software programs. If you are designing cards to print on your own inkjet or laser printer, search for free templates to use with your software or use the labels option to create four 4.25-by-5.5-inch cards or two 5.5-by-8.5-inch cards on each 8.5-by-11-inch sheet (typical U.S. dimensions).

4. Lay out the design using the images you edited and any text or graphics you want for the front side of the card, using the graphics or word processing software of choice and the template you chose. Copy and paste the design into all the blanks if you are using an 8.5-by-11-inch template and plan to print either 2 large or 4 small cards from it. Name and save the file.

5. Repeat for the back, taking care to add sufficient space for the return and mailing addresses and any permit information and bar codes required by the U.S. Postal Service. Some templates may come with these indicated for you to just paste or fill in. Consult the USPS postal guidelines if not.

Produce the Postcards

1. Select the paper and finish desired for your postcards. Thick gloss or matte photo paper is one option for use on personal printers, but those papers barely meet USPS minimum thickness requirement of .0007 inch and may get damaged when processed through mail-handling equipment. Commercial postcard printers offer high gloss and matte finishes or uncoated back sides for cards that are to be hand-addressed or printed with mailing addresses.

2. Option One: Print both sides of 8.5-by-11-inch sheets on your personal printer, if you are producing the cards yourself. Print a few sample sheets first to make sure everything is aligned correctly. Trim the cards to size with a sharp paper trimmer or straight edge and craft knife.

3. Option Two: Upload files of the type and size preferred by the commercial postcard printer you choose. Use the vendor's online proof and order system to approve both sides of the card. Enter and confirm all details for the quantity, print specifications and shipping information for your order.

4. Option Three: Send address information or mailing lists along with image files if you are using one of the companies that produce and mail postcards by combining your image files with addresses, and their bar code and postal permit information. These companies mail cards either first-class or bulk-rate for you.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay special attention to the bleed and trim dimensions and the recommended margins for placing text when using a commercial postcard printer's templates.

• Commercial postcard printers have a variety of special finishing options, such as real or simulated foil stamping and spot coating, that can be incorporated into your designs.

• If it meets postal requirements, paper thickness does not make a significant difference when mailing first-class. The difference in weight can affect bulk mailings in which cost is determined by weight.

• Postcard printing operations are automated operations, so it is difficult or impossible to cancel or change orders once approved and in the systems.

• Explore the complete cost of printing and shipping and handling when using commercial postcard printers. Many offer great prices on printing, but some add charges for uploading images and exaggerate the costs to get the cards to you.

• Confirm current postal regulations and rates with a mailing company or the U.S. Postal Service before launching large projects.

References

• Amazing Mail: Interactive Tutorial
• Vistaprint: Vistaprint Design Specifications
• Overnight Prints: Step by Step Guidelines