Standard Postcard Sizes
Postcard printing can be a vital piece of your marketing strategy, so you want to make sure you get everything right the first time around. The first step before beginning your design is to decide which standard postcard size is right for you and your marketing campaign. Those standard postcard sizes are: 4×6,” 4.25×5.5,” 4.25×6,” 5×7,” 5.5×8.5,” 6×9,” and 11×6.”
So, ask yourself – what information do I want to include in my postcard design? This helps you decide whether or not you need to choose a standard postcard size or a large postcard size.
If you have a lot of information that needs to fit on your postcard, you may want to opt for one of the bigger sizes, such as 5.5×8.5”, 6×9” or 6×11”. A bigger size can also help your postcard stand out in comparison to the other mail pieces being sent. If you don’t have a lot of information, choosing one of the more standard postcard sizes (such as 4×6”) will help you save some money on printing and mailing costs.
What are the price differences for the various postcard sizes?
Postage costs depend on the size and shape of your postcard. At the post office, pricing varies but the larger sized postcards are about $0.20 more expensive per piece than standard sizes.
Instant Postcard Pricing:
Keep in mind that postcards must be rectangle in order to qualify for First-Class Mail® pricing. If you decide to design one at a larger size, the oversized postcards will be charged at letter pricing. Sizes that fall under oversized postcards are listed below.
First-Class Mail® Postcards ($):
First-Class Mail® Letter / Oversized Postcards ($$):
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Can my postcards be designed in portrait orientation?
Of course! Your postcard can be either landscape or portrait orientation. One thing you do need to be aware of is that the back of your card still needs to follow U.S. Postal Service mailing requirements (explained in the next section). If your postcards don’t follow USPS® dimension specifications, your mailing costs will go up.
Are there design requirements for mailing postcards?
Yes, there are specific requirements to ensure your postcards are acceptable for USPS® mailing standards. Getting your postcard design correct the first time is very important because if you do not follow USPS® mailing requirements, you may be required to mail your postcards within envelopes, which will cost you more.
You can download free templates that show you exactly where to place the mailing address and the postal code (stamp) area. By following the specifications on our postcard printing templates, you can ensure that your design will mail without any issues.
How long does it take for my postcards to be mailed?
When printing your postcards with PrintingCenterUSA, if you choose Address & Mail at checkout and upload your mailing list, it takes 2 additional business days after your postcards have printed to prepare your items for mailing. But you don’t have to mail them through your printing company – you can also choose to print your postcards and mail them out yourself.
First-Class Mail requires you to choose a minimum quantity of 500 pieces and the estimated delivery time is between 3-9 days. Standard Mail requires you to choose a minimum quantity of 200 pieces and the estimated delivery time is between 4-20 days.
*Please Note: delays caused by weather or seasonal volumes may delay your delivery dates. USPS® will be liable for any delays after we tender the product to them for distribution.
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about postcard design and printing, head over to our website to get started today.
Have more questions? Give us a call at 800.995.1555 and our customer service representatives will be happy to help you with your next project!