Postcard Printing

Postcards are an affordable and effective way to promote products, events, giveaways, or announcements. We provide custom postcard printing for businesses, artists, publishers, and personal projects, offering extensive options including size, shape, sturdy cardstock, and premium finishes like foil stamping, spot UV, embossing, perforation, and more. Available in flat, folded, or bound formats, our postcards feature vibrant, high-quality printing designed to make a lasting impression. With our streamlined process, competitive pricing, and worldwide shipping, printing postcards with us is fast, easy, and reliable, ensuring your message reaches its audience beautifully.

Postcard Sizes

Postcard printing sizes range from small, cost-effective options to large, high-impact formats. Standard sizes like 4″ × 6″ are ideal for affordable mailing, while larger sizes up to 9″ × 12″ maximize visibility for marketing campaigns. Choosing the right size balances your postage budget with the need for visual impact.

Common Postcard Printing Sizes:

  • Small/Compact (3″ × 5″) – Perfect for RSVP cards, small announcements, or handouts.

  • Standard (4″ × 6″) – Most common size; cost-effective and fits within First-Class mail limits.

  • Medium/Large (5″ × 7″ or 5.5″ × 8.5″) – Great for invitations, photography, or sharing more information.

  • Square (4″ × 4″ or 5″ × 5″) – Modern, stylish format ideal for creative designs.

  • Jumbo (6″ × 9″, 6.25″ × 9″, 6″ x 11″, 8″ × 10″) – High-impact marketing, designed to stand out in mailboxes.

  • Oversized (8.5″ × 11″ or 9″ × 12″) – Maximum impact for campaigns requiring bold visuals.

We also offer custom sizes to match your unique design, branding, or marketing needs, giving you full flexibility to create postcards that truly stand out.

3" x 5"
4" x 4"
4" x 6"
5" x 7"
6" x 9"

Postcard Paper Options

Postcard printing requires thick, durable, and high-quality cardstock, typically ranging from 250–400 gsm (12–18 pt), to ensure a premium feel and long-lasting durability. We offer a variety of paper options to suit different designs and purposes: matte finishes provide a smooth, non-glare surface that is perfect for writing and gives a professional look; glossy finishes create vibrant, high-contrast imagery that makes your visuals stand out; and uncoated cardstock delivers a natural, textured feel, ideal for rustic or handcrafted designs.

For standard postcards, we typically recommend C1S paper, featuring a coated front for rich, colorful printing and an uncoated back for easy writing. If your design requires double-sided, full-color printing, C2S paper ensures brilliant results on both sides. For unique or luxury projects, we also provide uncoated linen cardstock and Kraft cardstock, offering texture, elegance, and an eco-friendly aesthetic. Additionally, FSC-certified paper is available for environmentally conscious projects, combining quality with sustainability.

C1S cardboard
C1S
kraft cardboard
Kraft Paper
linen cardstock
Uncoated Linen Paper
FSC-certified paper
FSC-certified Paper

Not sure which paper is right for your project? Get in touch with our printing experts for personalized recommendations.

Finish Options

We provide various special finish options to help you custom printed postcards that stand out, enhancing durability, visual appeal, and overall tactile experience.

gloss lamination both sides
Glossy Lamination

Glossy lamination adds a shiny, reflective finish that enhances colors, protects the cards from scratches.

matte lamination both sides
Matte Lamination

Matte lamination provides a smooth, non-reflective finish that feels soft to the touch, reduces glare.

soft-touch finish
Soft-touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination creates a velvety, suede-like finish that feels luxurious, reduces fingerprints.

spot uv printing
Spot UV

Adds a glossy highlight to specific areas, creating contrast and drawing attention to key elements.

gold foil
Foil Stamping

Foil stamping applies metallic or pigmented foil onto the surface using heat and pressure, creating eye-catching, luxurious accents.

embossing-1
Emboss

Embossing raises design elements, adding texture, depth, and a premium, tactile feel to greeting cards.

holographic cover
Laser Foil Stamping

Laser foil stamping applies metallic foil with precision, creating sleek, reflective, high-end accents on designs.

die cut flashcards
Die Cut

Die-cut designs create unique shapes, striking visuals, and creative presentation for unforgettable messages.

Questions & Answers

Standard postcards for printing are available in several common sizes, depending on usage and postal requirements. Popular options include:

  • 3″ × 5″(76 x 127 mm) – compact and convenient

  • 4″ × 6″ (102 × 152 mm) – widely used, perfect for mailing

  • 5″ × 7″ (127 × 178 mm) – slightly larger, offering more space for images and messages

  • 6″ × 9″ (152 × 229 mm) – premium size for promotions or special designs

These sizes ensure your postcards are visually appealing and compatible with standard mailing envelopes. We also offer custom sizes to meet your unique design or marketing needs.

Postcards are versatile and can be used for a variety of personal, professional, and promotional purposes. Common uses include:

  • Personal correspondence – send greetings, travel updates, or thank-you notes

  • Holiday or event greetings – celebrate occasions like Christmas, New Year, birthdays, or weddings

  • Marketing and promotions – advertise products, services, events, or special offers

  • Invitations – invite guests to parties, corporate events, or gatherings

  • Announcements – share news like store openings, product launches, or event details

  • Collectibles or souvenirs – showcase artwork, photography, or travel destinations

Postcards are effective because they combine visual appeal with concise messaging, making them easy to send and impactful to receive.

The orientation of a postcard—portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal)—depends on your design, content, and intended impact.

  • Portrait (vertical): Works well for images or graphics that are taller than they are wide, or when emphasizing a central subject. Ideal for modern, stylish, or artistic designs.

  • Landscape (horizontal): Best for wide images, panoramic photos, or when including more text. Commonly used for promotional postcards, event invitations, and travel-related designs.

When choosing orientation, consider your visuals, readability, and how the postcard will be displayed or mailed to ensure maximum impact.

The choice of finish option depends on your design, desired look, and the purpose of your postcard. We offer a wide range of finish options that enhance both appearance and durability, including glossy, matte or soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, laser foil, and die-cut designs. These finishes allow you to create visually striking, professional, and memorable cards that reflect your brand or personal style.

For postcard printing, C1S (Coated One Side) paper is the most commonly recommended choice. The coated side provides vibrant, high-quality color reproduction for your artwork or photography, while the uncoated side offers a smooth surface that’s easy to write on. Typically, we use 250–400 gsm (12–18 pt) cardstock, which gives postcards a sturdy, durable feel.

No, envelopes are not automatically included with postcards, but we offer custom envelope and box options to complement your cards. You can choose from various sizes, styles, materials, and finishes to match your design, providing a polished, professional presentation and protecting your cards during delivery or gifting.

Our minimum order quantity for custom postcard printing usually starts at 100 pcs. The more you print, the cheaper the unit price.

We recommend high resolution PDF files with embedded fonts and images, including a 3 mm bleed. If your files are created in InDesign or Illustrator, please export them as print-ready PDFs.

Yes! You can order a physical sample before placing an order to check our cardstock,weight, finish and printing quality.

Yes, we offer several proofing options, including PDF proof, physical sample, dummy sample, digital printed sample, and offset printed sample.

After you complete the deposit and before mass production, we usually provide a free digital printed sample for your confirmation.

Yes, our prepress team offers free file checking to ensure your files are print-ready. We can also provide card templates and basic layout guidance if needed.

For small files, you can upload them directly through our online inquiry form or send them via email to sales@bookprintingchina.com. For large files, please share a download link using platforms such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

We offer air, sea, and express shipping (DHL, FedEx, UPS). Our team will recommend the most cost-effective and reliable method based on your delivery time and budget.

File Specifications

bleed-
Bleed

Bleed is the extra margin trimmed after printing, preventing white edges. A standard bleed size is 0.125 inches (3mm).

cmyk vs rgb
CMYK

CMYK is the correct color mode for printing. RGB files convert automatically and may shift colors. Use 100% black for text.

image resolution
Resolutions

Images in prepress files should be at least 300 dpi to ensure sharp details, clear images, and professional print quality.

vector graphics
Vector

Please export your image as a vector file to ensure crisp, scalable graphics and optimal print quality for your project.

pdf file format
File Format

We recommend using high-quality PDF files, as Adobe InDesign exports print-ready PDFs for precise, consistent printing results.

Postcard Printing Templates

Select a size from the options below to download your ready-to-use layout template. Each template is designed to simplify your design process, ensuring proper dimensions, bleed, and safe zones so your postcard looks professional and prints perfectly every time.

At BookPrintingChina, we offer professional file-checking services and custom templates. If you’re unsure how to layout your artwork, feel free to contact us; we’re happy to provide detailed guidelines and support.

Order Process at BookPrintingChina

1

Request a Quote

Submit specs and receive your tailored quote within 1-2 hours.

2

Upload Design

Send your print-ready PDF via email or shared link easily.

3

Review Your File

We check your file for free to ensure perfect print readiness.

4

Approve Proof

Pay the deposit, then make a free digital printed proof for approval.

5

Production

Upon approval, we begin full production with strict quality control.

6

Shipping

After balance payment, we pack securely and ship by air or sea.

BookPrintingChina Reviews

Excellent 4.9
5 star review

Based on 212 reviews

Why Choose Us For Postcard Printing

Unbeatable Pricing

With over 25 years of printing and shipping experience, we help you save more cost than other online printers.

100% Satisifiation

We guarantee 100% high quality; if you’re not completely satisfied, we promise a reprint or a full refund.

Expert Support

One-on-one professional, responsive online assistance, including pre-press artwork, material selection, shipping, etc.

Eco-friendly

All cards use non-toxic soy-based inks and offer FSC-certified paper options for safe, eco-friendly, sustainable printing.

Full Customization

Custom options, including size & shape, cardstock, finish, order quantity to match your vision.

Global Shipping

Secure, cost-efficient worldwide shipping options ensure your cards arrive safely and on time.

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We’re Love to Hear From You

We appreciate your interest in BookPrintingChina. Our goal is to deliver a postcard printing experience that is smooth, cost-effective, refined, and efficient from start to finish.

For general questions, simply submit the enquiry form and our sales specialists will respond promptly. To receive a precise project quote, we encourage you to use our online Quote Form, which helps us match the best options to your specific requirements. You may also contact us directly at sales@bookprintingchina.com.

Our team is available seven days a week, with most enquiries answered within 1–2 hours. We look forward to turning your ideas into beautifully printed products with the quality and attention to detail BookPrintingChina is known for.

TrustScore: 4.9 | 240  reviews

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