How to Design Your Own Post Card: Step-by-Step Guide

By Lee Garvey

A well-designed postcard can generate more leads than a dozen emails sitting unopened in someone’s inbox. In an age where digital marketing costs continue to rise and inbox competition is fierce, direct mail postcards offer businesses a powerful way to cut through the noise and get noticed.

Whether you’re a real estate agent looking to dominate your local market, a restaurant owner promoting your latest specials, or a service business wanting to reactivate past customers, designing your own postcard puts you in control of your marketing message.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process—from selecting the right dimensions to creating eye-catching layouts that drive response. You’ll learn professional design techniques, postal regulations that affect deliverability, and how easy it is to create your own campaign without having to visit the Post Office.

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Why Design Your Own Post Card?

Designing your own postcard offers numerous advantages over using pre-made templates or generic designs. Here’s why taking the time to create a custom postcard can be beneficial:

• Personalization: Custom designs allow you to tailor every aspect of the postcard to your specific needs and audience.
• Brand Consistency: For businesses, a custom postcard ensures that your marketing materials align perfectly with your brand guidelines.
• Cost-Effectiveness: While it may seem more expensive upfront, a well-designed custom postcard can yield better results, making it more cost-effective in the long run.
• Flexibility: Creating your own design gives you complete control over the message, layout, and visual elements.
• Increased Engagement: Unique, personalized postcards are more likely to catch the recipient’s attention and prompt action.
• Professionalism: A well-designed custom postcard can make your business or event appear more professional and established.

By designing your own postcard, you have the power to create a truly unique piece of communication that stands out in the recipient’s mailbox and mind.

Preparation: Before You Start Designing

Before diving into the design process, it’s crucial to lay the groundwork for a successful postcard. Preparing will help ensure that your final design is effective and achieves your goals.

Define Your Purpose

Start by clearly identifying the purpose of your postcard. Are you promoting a sale, announcing an event, or simply staying in touch with customers? Your purpose will guide many of your design decisions.

Identify Your Target Audience

Consider who will be receiving your postcard. Understanding your audience’s preferences and demographics will help you create a design that resonates with them.

Choose the Right Size and Format

Postcards come in various sizes, each with its own advantages. Standard sizes include 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 8”, and 6″ x 9″. Larger sizes offer more space for content but may cost more to print and mail.

Gather Your Content

Collect all the necessary elements for your postcard, including text, images, logos, and any other graphics you plan to use. Ensure that all images are high-resolution and that you have the rights to use them.

Understand USPS Regulations

Familiarize yourself with the United States Postal Service (USPS) regulations for postcards. This includes size requirements, address placement, and any restrictions on content or design elements.

Tips for Effective Postcard Design

Creating an effective postcard design involves more than just arranging elements on a page. To ensure your postcard stands out and achieves its purpose, consider the following tips:

• Keep it simple: Avoid cluttering your design with too many elements. A clean, straightforward layout is often more effective.
• Use high-quality images: Crisp, clear images make your postcard look professional and engaging.
• Ensure readability: Choose fonts and colors that are easy to read, even at a glance.
• Include a clear call-to-action: Tell recipients exactly what you want them to do next.
• Optimize for USPS automation: Follow USPS guidelines to ensure your postcard can be processed efficiently.
• Balance text and visuals: Use images to draw attention and text to convey your message concisely.
• Consider the back of the postcard: Don’t neglect this space; it can be valuable real estate for additional information or design elements.

By applying these tips, you’ll create postcards that not only look great but also effectively communicate your message and drive action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Postcards

Even experienced designers can fall into common pitfalls when creating postcards. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid them and improve the effectiveness of your design:

• Overcrowding the design: It’s tempting to include as much information as possible, but a cluttered postcard can be overwhelming and less effective.
• Using low-resolution images: Pixelated or blurry images can make your postcard look unprofessional and reduce its impact.
• Forgetting to proofread: Typos and grammatical errors can undermine your credibility and distract from your message.
• Ignoring USPS guidelines: Failing to follow postal regulations can result in additional costs or delivery issues.
• Lack of contrast: Poor color choices or insufficient contrast between text and background can make your postcard difficult to read.
• Inconsistent branding: If your postcard doesn’t align with your overall brand identity, it can confuse recipients and dilute your message.

How to Print and Mail Your Postcards Online

Once you’ve perfected your postcard design, it’s time to bring it to life, which can be done in minutes online. Here’s how to use a service like Click2Mail to get your postcards into the hands of your recipients:

Upload Your Design

Log into your Click2Mail account and upload your finished design or use Click2Mail’s postcard layout templates. The platform accepts various file formats, ensuring compatibility with most design tools.

Choose Printing Options

Select your preferred paper type and finish. Click2Mail offers options to suit different budgets and aesthetic preferences, from standard cardstock to glossy finishes.

Select Mailing Services

Choose from various mailing options, including USPS First Class and Marketing Mail. Click2Mail’s flexible services cater to different needs and timelines.

Manage Your Mailing List

Upload your mailing list or use Click2Mail’s list management tools to target your desired recipients. The platform offers options for list cleaning and CASS certification to ensure accurate delivery.

Track and Report

Take advantage of Click2Mail’s tracking and reporting features to monitor your postcard campaign’s progress and measure its success.Not sure where to start? Contact Click2Mail today and let us help you build a winning campaign!