Standard Postcard Size Printing Guide
Written by UPrinting ● Updated on December 12, 2023
Postcard printing goes beyond picking the nicest cardstock and laying the best design you can think of on top of it. Size also matters – a lot. Choosing the right postcard dimensions for your campaign needs to be well thought out; otherwise, it can make or break your campaign.
That’s why we are here to help you out. Before you check out your custom standard postcard order, read on to learn how to pick the postcard size that perfectly suits your needs.
Standard Postcard Sizes
Standard postcards come in a wide range of sizes: 4" x 6", 4.25" x 6", 5" x 7", 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 9", and 6" x 11".
For folded postcards, you first have to choose between half-fold and trifold.
Half-fold postcards come in five sizes:
- · 8.5" x 6" (folds to 4.25” x 6”)
- · 10" x 7" (folds to 5” x 7”)
- · 11" x 8.5" (folds to 5.5” x 8.5”)
- · 12" x 9" (folds to 6” x 9”)
- · 12" x 11" (folds to 6” x 11”)
- · 12.75" x 6" (folds to 4.25” x 6”)
- · 15" x 7" (folds to 5” x 7”)
- · 16.5" x 8.5" (folds to 5.5” x 8.5”)
Designing Your Standard Postcards
You are free to create any postcard design, however, it’s important to follow the specific requirements set for the layout to ensure your address, postal markings, and indicia are properly placed. Don’t worry, we prepared templates that free to download – you can find these in the Templates tab.
If you need assistance with designing or mailing your postcards, get in touch with us through Live Chat or at 1-888-888-4211. We would be more than happy to help you out!
Mailing Your Standard Postcards
Whether flat or folded, all standard postcards are acceptable for mailing provided their dimensions fall between 4” x 6” and 6” x 11”. These are the dimensions required by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Keep in mind that rates vary depending on the postcard size. For instance, a 4” x 6” and 4.25” x 6” postcard can qualify for First Class Card rates. Meanwhile, 4.5” x 6” up to 6” x 11” postcards, whether flat or folded, qualify for either First Class Letter rate or Standard Bulk rate. You can read more about this on the standard postcard page’s mailing tab.
If your standard postcards do not meet the USPS’ mailing requirements, don’t fret! You can opt to mail your postcards with envelopes, but it’ll cost more. Another solution is to do a self-mailer, which involves manually stamping each postcard and personally dropping them off in the post office.
Once we have received your order, mailing preparation can take 2-3 business days after printing. For folded postcards, there’s an additional two business days for tabbing.
If you are in a rush, choose First Class so your postcards can reach your recipients in just 3-5 business days nationwide. If you are not pressed for time, go for Standard Bulk mail, which takes 5-14 business days nationwide. Do note that seasonal volume and adverse weather conditions may affect the timeliness of delivery.
