Why Size Matters (And the 8x12 Proves It)
Let's be blunt: small postcards get buried. They get stacked, ignored, tossed with the grocery store circulars. An 8x12 postcard? That thing OWNS the mailbox. It's the first thing people see, the last thing they throw away, and the only piece of mail they actually remember five minutes later.
With 96 square inches of design space - nearly double what you get with a 6x9 and four times what a standard 4x6 offers - you've got room to tell your story, show your product, display before-and-after photos, include a full menu, map out your service area, or blast your biggest offer across the page in type so big they can read it from across the room.
And here's the kicker: it still qualifies for USPS EDDM postage rates. Same low postage as the smaller formats. The 8x12 meets all USPS specs - it's over 6.125 inches high, under 12 inches on the short side, under 15 inches on the long side. You're paying the same postage but getting 50-300% more visual real estate than your competitors.
96 Square Inches
Nearly 4x bigger than standard 4x6 postcards. You don't whisper - you SHOUT.
Mailbox Domination
It's physically impossible to miss. Your postcard is the first thing they see, every single time.
Same EDDM Rate
Qualifies for low-cost EDDM postage. Big impact, same postage as smaller formats.
Higher Response
Bigger size = better engagement. Industry data shows 20-40% higher response rates vs. standard sizes.
Who Should Use 8x12 Postcards? (Spoiler: Probably You)
Real Estate Agents & Brokers
If you're selling luxury homes, commercial properties, or multi-million dollar listings, a tiny 4x6 postcard doesn't cut it. The 8x12 gives you room for multiple property photos, detailed specs, neighborhood amenities, a map, your headshot, testimonials, and a clear call-to-action. Your listings deserve to look as premium as they are.
Car Dealerships
Got new inventory? Running a clearance event? Launching a new model? The 8x12 lets you showcase multiple vehicles with crisp photos, pricing, financing details, and a dealer map all on one piece. Perfect for EDDM campaigns targeting neighborhoods around your dealership.
Home Services (HVAC, Roofing, Landscaping, Remodeling)
Before-and-after photos SELL. With 8x12, you can show dramatic transformations side-by-side, include customer testimonials, list your services, explain financing options, and still have room for a massive seasonal offer. This is how you stand out from the dozen other contractors hitting the same mailboxes.
Restaurants & Catering
Your full menu. Not a condensed version, not "highlights" - your FULL menu with photos of your best dishes, pricing, delivery area map, hours, and a juicy first-time customer discount. The 8x12 is basically a mini-catalog that sits on their fridge for weeks.
Pro Tip: Use the Extra Space Wisely
Don't just blow up your 6x9 design to fill 8x12. Use the extra real estate to add elements that actually drive response: customer testimonials with real names and photos, a QR code linking to video content, a detailed map showing your service radius, multiple offers targeting different customer segments, or before-and-after photo comparisons that prove your value.
Size Comparison: How 8x12 Stacks Up
| Postcard Size |
Dimensions |
Square Inches |
EDDM Eligible? |
Best For |
| 4x6 Standard |
4" x 6" |
24 sq in |
? No |
Simple offers, high-volume campaigns |
| 5.5x8.5 Mid-Size |
5.5" x 8.5" |
46.75 sq in |
Yes |
Retail promos, appointment reminders |
| 6x9 Jumbo |
6" x 9" |
54 sq in |
Yes |
Real estate, home services, events |
| 6.5x9 Large |
6.5" x 9" |
58.5 sq in |
Yes |
Maximum EDDM size, high impact |
| 8x12 OVERSIZED |
8" x 12" |
96 sq in |
Yes |
Premium listings, catalogs, menus, max impact |
| 9x12 xL |
9" x 12" |
108 sq in |
Yes |
Maximum visual impact, luxury marketing |
As you can see, the 8x12 hits a sweet spot: it's 78% bigger than the popular 6x9 format, but costs less to print than the 9x12. For most campaigns, it's the perfect balance of size, impact, and value.
Cardstock & Coating Options (Quality You Can Feel)
14pt Cardstock - Our Most Popular Choice
14pt C2S (coated two sides) cardstock is thick, durable, and feels premium without adding crazy weight to your mailpiece. It's our go-to recommendation for 95% of EDDM campaigns because it hits the perfect balance: substantial enough that recipients take it seriously, light enough to keep costs down, and stiff enough to withstand the postal system without arriving bent or damaged.
16pt Cardstock - When You Want That "Wow" Factor
If you're marketing luxury services, high-ticket products, or premium real estate, step up to 16pt cardstock. It's noticeably thicker and heavier - when someone picks it up, they immediately think "this is from a serious business." The extra rigidity also makes your 8x12 postcard double as a keepsake or reference piece that sits on their desk for weeks.
Coating Makes or Breaks Your Design
Gloss Aqueous Coating: Makes colors POP. Perfect for photos of food, real estate interiors, cars, landscaping - anything visual. The shiny finish catches light and draws the eye. This is the default choice for most restaurants, realtors, and product-based businesses.
Matte Aqueous Coating: Sophisticated, modern, upscale. No glare means your text is easier to read, and the non-reflective finish feels more refined. Great for professional services, B2B marketing, medical practices, financial services - anywhere you want to convey expertise without being flashy.
High-Gloss UV Coating: This is the show-stopper. It's like glass - ultra-shiny, ultra-smooth, ultra-durable. Colors look richer, photos look sharper, and it's practically scratch-proof. Use UV coating when you're selling luxury, when you're targeting affluent zip codes, or when you just want your postcard to be the most beautiful thing in the mailbox.
Design Tips to Maximize Your 96 Square Inches
Here's the thing about going from a 6x9 to an 8x12: you can't just stretch your design and call it a day. You've got 78% more space to work with - use it strategically.
1. Go Big on Visuals
Use high-resolution photos at FULL size. Show your product in use. Display before-and-after comparisons. Feature multiple angles of your property. Let images do the heavy lifting - people scan, they don't read novels on postcards.
2. Create Clear Visual Zones
Divide your 8x12 into sections: hero image at top, offer in the middle, call-to-action at bottom. Or split it down the middle: services on left, testimonials on right. Don't just dump everything in one big pile - guide the reader's eye through your message.
3. Make Your Offer HUGE
If you're running a "$500 OFF" promo, make that headline 3-4 inches tall. People should be able to read your offer from across the room. The whole point of going big is to be BOLD - don't waste it on timid design.
4. Include Multiple CTAs
With this much space, you can have: a phone number in large type, a QR code linking to your site, a website URL, a coupon code, AND a "show this card for discount" instruction. Give people multiple ways to respond - different people prefer different actions.
Design Specs for 8x12 Postcards
Final trim size: 8" x 12"
File size with bleed: 8.25" x 12.25" (add 0.125" on all sides)
Safe zone: Keep important elements 0.25" from all edges
Resolution: 300 DPI minimum (higher is better for photos)
Color mode: CMYK (not RGB)
File formats: PDF, high-res JPEG, Adobe Illustrator, EPS
Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay
Let's talk numbers. 8x12 postcards are bigger, so yes, they cost more to print than a 4x6. But the price difference is WAY smaller than the size difference - and the response-rate boost more than makes up for it.
500 Pieces
$0.48
per piece
2,500 Pieces
$0.28
per piece
5,000 Pieces
$0.21
per piece
MOST POPULAR
10,000+ Pieces
$0.17
per piece
Pricing based on 14pt cardstock, full-color both sides (4/4 CMYK), gloss aqueous coating. Add USPS EDDM postage (approximately $0.203 per piece) separately. 16pt cardstock and UV coating available at small upcharge. Call 512-573-1977 for custom quote.
ROI Reality Check
Let's say you're a roofer targeting 5,000 homes. Standard 4x6 postcards cost about $0.08 each to print. 8x12 postcards cost about $0.21 each. That's an extra $650 in printing costs.
But here's the thing: if the 8x12 generates even ONE extra roofing job that the 4x6 wouldn't have, you just made $5,000-$15,000 in profit. The format pays for itself with a single additional customer.
Bigger isn't just better for ego - it's better for business.
Real Customer Results
"We switched from 6x9 to 8x12 for our quarterly EDDM campaigns and holy crap, what a difference. Our call volume jumped 34% and we booked three $40K+ listings in the first month. The extra cost was like $800 for 5,000 pieces. Best $800 we ever spent."
- Marcus Thompson, Luxury Properties Group
"As a restaurant owner, I was skeptical about the larger size. But being able to show our FULL menu with photos, hours, delivery map, and a 20% off coupon all on one piece? Game changer. We went from 60 new delivery orders the previous month to 183 new orders after the 8x12 drop."
- Sofia Martinez, Taqueria La Palma
"We run seasonal HVAC campaigns four times a year. The 8x12 with before-and-after photos of actual customer installs just CRUSHES. Our last summer cooling campaign pulled a 2.8% response rate - our previous high with smaller postcards was 1.4%. It's literally doubled our direct mail ROI."
- James Chen, Arctic Air Solutions
Production & Turnaround
Standard production timeline is 3-5 business days after proof approval. Here's how it works:
- You upload your design (or we can create one for you - design services available)
- We send you a free digital proof within 24 hours
- You approve the proof via email or phone
- We print your order on premium cardstock with your chosen coating
- We ship to you OR deliver to USPS for EDDM distribution
Need it faster? Rush production is available for most orders. Just ask when you call 512-573-1977.
EDDM With 8x12: The Full-Service Option
Don't want to deal with USPS paperwork, route selection, bundling, and delivery? We got you.
Our full-service EDDM packages include:
- 8x12 postcard printing on your choice of cardstock and coating
- Route selection using USPS mapping tools (we help you pick the best neighborhoods)
- All USPS paperwork and compliance
- Bundling and facing slips
- Delivery to your local USPS facility
- Postage (EDDM rate of ~$0.203 per piece)
You literally just approve the design and we handle everything else. Your 8x12 postcards show up in mailboxes a week later.
