How to Make a Postcard: The Ultimate Guide

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Whether you need an invitation card, thank you note, or you are merely sending your buddy a message from abroad to brighten up their day, a postcard is usually the way to go. What most people don't realize, however, is that you don't have to use that same old generic card at the store rack. Instead, you can design a more unique and personal postcard on your own at only a fraction of the cost.

The best part is that you don't have to be a professional designer to do this. By using the right layouts, you can create a memorable and creative postcard that is enough to rival the ones sold commercially.

In this blog post, we'll walk through some basics on what you need to design an awesome card that will make people want to glue it to their refrigerator doors! All these questions are answered in this comprehensive guide.

What do you need on a postcard?

You'd be surprised to learn that postcards have been around since 1869. They would mainly be used to share vacation memories with family and friends. But now, postcards can be used for a lot more than just that. They can double up as marketing tools, business cards, or invitations, among other things.

Depending on the purpose of the card, there are a few things you can include. Below are the most common.

• Catchy Photo - The photo is the centerpiece of the postcard, and is typically located on the front side. The idea here is to pick an appealing photo that best portrays the message or showcases your travels. Think of the person you want to send the postcard to and choose an appropriate photo.
• Handwritten Message - Now, on the other side of the postcard is where you'll put down a handwritten message. Go ahead and flip the postcard over, and on the left side, leave a section for your message. Make sure to leave it blank or lined when printing. Here, you can share your favorite memory or discovery from your trip, so your message feels exclusive.
• Recipient Address - Still on the back of the postcard is where you'll include the recipient's address. This is because the postal service doesn't look for information at the front. The address should be on the right-hand side and include their full name, address, area code, state, and country.
• Stamp - Place a stamp at the top right side of the back of the postcard just above the recipient's address to avoid being lost. You can either get your stamps online if you are abroad, or buy them in banks, gas stations, or post offices.
• Date - The date is a great way for people to flashback later on in life when revisiting the postcard. It should be in the top left corner at the back of the postcard. Under the date, you can also include the city or specific place you are writing from.

How to create a postcard

Creating postcards has become easier with advancements in technology. Now, you don't have to be a professional graphic designer to make your own custom postcard.

Below are a few steps you can follow when designing and printing your postcard.

Postcard mock-up

Before jumping to the graphic design app, draw a few sketches of what you want the postcard to look like, including all the details we've seen above. It does not have to be detailed either. You only need a rough sketch that can be translated to a graphic design app.

Design the card's cover

The photo is the face of the postcard, and it should attract the attention of the recipient. Using a tool like CorelDRAW, you can edit the photo, remove any blemishes, or change the temperature of the photo to make it more attractive.

Design the note and address side

The message and address side also has its own special design. The two should be equally separated by a vertical line running from the top of the postcard. The center of the vertical line is where the first line, containing the address information, should be placed. Remember to mark where the stamp will be placed.

Print your postcard

If you are satisfied with the design, proceed to print the postcard. The postcard must be between 105 to 120mm in height with a width of around 148 and 235 mm. Though there is no mandatory aspect ratio, only the postcard must be rectangular.

Takeaway!

This blog post has provided a step-by-step guide on how to create your own custom postcard. If you're interested in creating postcards for your business or just want to learn about how they work, this article will give you everything you need.

Remember, the more information and detail put into a project like this, the better the results!