A standard printed postcard is simply a flat printed card — it can be mailed, handed out, or included in a package. A mailed postcard is produced and prepared specifically for delivery through the postal system, which means it needs to meet USPS size, weight, and design requirements to qualify for the correct postage rate and process cleanly through automated mail handling equipment. When you order mailed postcards from us, we take care of those requirements so your pieces arrive at their destination without issue.

The USPS defines a standard postcard as no smaller than 3.5x5 and no larger than 9x6, with a thickness between 0.009 and 0.016 inches. Cards within these dimensions qualify for the lowest postage rate. Larger formats — commonly 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11 — are classified as letters by the USPS and if sent First Class carry a higher postage rate (may less if sent Standard), but they command significantly more attention in the mailbox and often outperform smaller cards in response rate. We can help you weigh the cost difference against the potential impact.

The most effective mailed postcards lead with a single clear message or offer on the front, use bold imagery or color to stop the recipient from immediately sorting it into the recycling bin, and make the call to action — a phone number, a website, a QR code, a deadline — impossible to miss. The back of the card carries the address block but still has usable space for supporting information. Avoid the temptation to fill every inch with copy. White space and a focused message consistently outperform cluttered designs in direct mail response rates.