A Guide to Postcard Sizes and Printing

Postcard printing is one of the most effective and versatile tools to spread your message. 

For when you want something a little more sturdy than flyers and larger than business cards, postcards are a great option. Postcard marketing, a form of direct mail, helps you reach a targeted audience with promotional print pieces like coupons, announcements, and other offers. 

Along with business uses, postcards are also a great way to send information to friends and family! They can be holiday cards, graduation announcements, baby shower invitations, wedding invitations, blank thank you notes, best wishes, photo cards, save-the-date reminders and much more. 

Printing postcards is more than picking the right design and paper weight. We’ve compiled the top frequently asked questions to help out. Read below to learn more about postcard printing…

3" x 4" - Extra Small Postcard

If you're hard-pressed for enough information to fill out a larger postcard but still want to exercise a postcard campaign, these will be just large enough to get across your brand logo and a call to action. Order extra small postcards now!

4.25" x 5.5" - Smaller Postcard

Still not quite up to the usual standard, these are a smaller size that can include slightly more detail, even a small block of text or lettering, while still somewhat limiting the information you can include. That said, you'll still be able use a call to action when you order now!

4" x 6" - Standard Postcard

These are widely considered to be the "Standard" postcard size. Most stores you buy postcards at brandish this size and as such it's often associated with lower costs for shipping them out for your customers and clients. Order standard postcards today!

5" x 7" - Standard Plus Postcard

These are great for having that extra bit of room not provided by the usual "standard". Opt for standard plus postcards when the usual isn't cutting it and you keep running out of space when designing! Order online now!

5.5" x 8.5" - Detail Postcard (Half a Page)

It's very difficult to feel limited when you have half a standard letter-sized page worth of space to fill in your postcard design. Include whatever you want, starting with a call to action and ending with a brilliant graphic! Start your detail postcard order!

6" x 9" - Large Postcard

When your motto is 'go big or go home', these large postcards will be exactly what you're looking for. Make it impossible for your call to action to be missed and include higher resolution photography. Order large postcards now!

6.5" x 9.5" - XL Postcard

Extra large postcards are often hard to come by, so it's important you get a size that can still be recognized as a postcard and not something else. As with larger postcards, you can include all the usual elements in these postcards and then some. Order now!

6" x 11" - XXL Postcard

When all else fails, use the largest standard postcard size available. In this case, that's our 6" x 11" extra extra large postcard. Use a massive graphic with a call to action, have an entire paragraph (or more), or demand attention from your customers and clients. Order today!

Q: What are the standard postcard sizes available?
A: Postcards come in the following standard sizes: 4" x 6", 4.25" x 5.5", 5" x 7", 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 9", 6" x 11", 3" x 4", and 6.5" x 9.5". Looking for something different? We also do custom postcard printing sizes! Vertical and horizontal layouts and folded postcards are all acceptable. Request a custom quote with us today!

Q: What’s the general turnaround time for postcards?
A: At Gold Image Printing, we thrive on getting rush jobs done. Thanks to our innovative machines and state of the art print and binding facility, we enjoy having your job ready for you the next day.

Q: Which postcard sizes can I mail?
A: All of the above mentioned postcard sizes are mailable! (4" x 6", 4.25" x 5.5", 5" x 7", 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 9", 6" x 11", 3" x 4", and 6.5" x 9.5") However, different sizes qualify for different USPS rates. Postcards sized 4 x 6 inches are eligible to mail at the USPS’s First Class Postcard Rate. Postcards that are 5 x 7 – 6 x 11 may qualify for the USPS’s Standard Letter Rate or First Class Letter Rate.

Q: What are the Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®) postcard sizes?
A: USPS-approved EDDM® sizes for postcards, include: 8.5” x 7”, 6.25” x 9”, 4.25” x 11”, 6.25” x 11”, 8.5” x 11”, 6” x 12”.

Q: What if my postcards don’t meet USPS mailing requirements? Can they still be mailed?
A: Keep in mind, your print design must follow basic USPS requirements if you want them to be mailable without an envelope. If you wish to order a design that may not necessarily follow other USPS requirements, we can add custom envelopes for your postcards to your order. 

Q: Do the postcard sizes have to be in a landscape orientation?
A: Nope! You can have your prints in either a landscape or portrait orientation depending on your design. If your purpose is to mail them without envelopes, make sure that the back side also adheres to mailing requirements such as leaving space for the postage and the address.

Q: What are the postcard sizes that can be mailed in bulk and those that comply with the mailing regulations? 
A: All standard postcard sizes, from 4” x 6” up to 6” x 11” (flat or folded to size), can be mailed in bulk. Sizes should fit within the requirements of the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Q: What are the postage rates that apply to mailed postcards?
A: Rates will depend on the postcard size you’re sending. For example, a 4” x 6” and 4.25” x 6” sized postcard can qualify for First Class Card rate. Meanwhile, 4.5” x 6” up to 6” x 11” postcards qualify for either First Class Letter rate or Standard Bulk rate  whether flat or folded. 

Q: Can I print postcards in bulk?
A: Yes! Rack up major savings when you buy in bulk! Bulk Postcards are the best way to reduce costs and keep the high quality you deserve. The more you print, the lower the cost per print so you'll always have a stack ready to go!

Q: What can I add to my postcards to make them stand out even more? 
A: Adding a shimmery foil stamp to your print is an easy and timeless choice. We offer a rainbow of foil colors for you to choose from for your foil stamp postcards that will surely catch your audience’s attention. Want to push the envelope even more? Try embossing or debossing for a custom finish that  leaves a memorable impression. Upgrade to our Ultra Thick Postcards in smooth white, textured varieties, or even colored stocks! We also offer Soft Touch Postcards along with Spot UV Postcards and even Raised Spot UV Postcards. One of our most popular exclusive products is our Digital Foil Postcards which can be done next business day. These postcards offer durability and elegance and are an optimal choice for any affair. The possibilities are endless when you work with us! 

Q: Can you help with a Direct Mail campaign?
A: Absolutely! With our state-of-the-art addressing equipment and presort mailing software, Gold Image Printing can help you send beautifully designed postcards to a wide audience. We’ll help you save time and money, plus eliminate the hassle of preparing a large mailing yourself! 

Whatever your postcard vision may be, we can help you make a powerful impact! When looking for the best postcard printing service, look no further than Gold Image Printing. Contact us today and add a touch of class to your next postcard mailer.