What Is a Postcard?
A basic postcard is a rectangular card made from a thick paper used to send messages by mail without needing an envelope. This usually comes as a photograph on one side. Postcards are perfectly to tell someone far away about your own little adventures. First used in the second half of the 19th century, John P. Charlton created the first commercially produced cards in 1861. Nowadays, postcards are sent when someone is on holiday.
From beach trips to faraway travels, even business postcards, it lets your receiver know that even if your miles apart, you are still thinking about them. A simple postcard is a personal way of sharing what you have experienced to your loved ones. But are postcards a thing of the past?
The Washington Post reported that, in 2014, 770 million stamped postcards were processed by the U.S. Postal Service. There are some people who study and collect postcards, this is called deltiology.
How to Make a Postcard
1. It Starts With The Right Paper
To make a really good postcard, you have to make sure it is made from the best paper you could find. Postcards don’t usually use envelopes when sent, so your paper needs to be sturdy and suitable for your postcard design. You can make your postcard from thick paper or thin cardboard. We have sample postcards you can check out.
2. Your Picture Paints A Thousand Words
Pick out the perfect picture to make your postcard picture perfect. Use the photo that best represents your trips and travels, pick the photo that also puts a smile on your receiver’s face. Attach your photo to your postcard paper and add a back to write your message and address. You can choose from our many printable postcard templates.
3. Address for Success
Make sure you address your printable postcard properly. You wouldn’t want to send your postcard to the wrong place. Write legibly, the address your sending to should be understandable. Do not forget any details of the address, street name, building number, etc. If you plan on staying in the same city longer, you can also add a return address to your postcard.
4. Send Your Sentiments
When writing your message, there isn’t much space on your postcard, so try to keep it short and sweet. The left side of your postcard is for your message and the right side is for the receiver’s address. Keep your message straight to the point, but don’t forget to be a little creative when writing. You can talk about many things in your postcard. You can write about your day, the locals, the things you’ve learned, etc. Your message on your blank postcard should also be handwritten to make it more personal.
5. No Errors, No Terrors
Always recheck your creative postcard, a misspelling of a name or address can send your postcard somewhere else. Every little detail should be checked to make sure your personal note can reach its destination.
6. Stamp It, Send It, Smile
Don’t forget to stamp your simple postcard. The postage stamp on your postcard helps postal services know the distance your card is traveling. The more you pay in postage stamps, the farther your card is getting. Send it with a smile, your postcard will carry it across oceans.
General FAQs
What is the best use of Postcards?
It helps you stand out from the crowd. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, everyone was sending postcards. Not only did postcards serve as an easy way to communicate with someone, but they were also fun to collect. Nowadays, the average household receives only one personal letter every 7 weeks.
What is the General Postcard Size?
148 x 105 mm is the usual size of standard postcards. However, the general consensus is that the dimensions of an international standard postcard are A6 size, 148 x 105 mm or 5.8 x 4.1 inches. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has defined postcards as having the following maximum and minimum sizes for their members.
What is the Hobby of Collecting Postcards Called?
Deltiology (from Greek δελτ?ον, deltion, diminutive of δ?λτος, deltos, "writing tablet, letter"; and -λογ?α, -logia) is the study and collection of postcards. For this reason, some collectors choose to limit their acquisitions to cards by specific artists and publishers, or by time and location.
What are Embossed Postcards?
Embossing gives postcards a texture that stands out. With its raised design, an embossed postcard feels different than a plain one. An embossed postcard instantly stands out from the rest of the mail, increasing the chance that the recipient will read the card and act on it.
What are Lithographic Postcards?
A magnified photo-lithograph shows a series of dots, produced by separating the image into light and dark areas or different colors with screens. Extremely fine screens could produce a very sharp image. A lithographic postcard might have up to 10 colors due to multiple passes through the press.
