Postcards are the workhorse of direct mail: cheap to print, cheap to mail, and impossible to ignore because there is no envelope to open. The message is visible the instant it leaves the mailbox, which is why postcards routinely outperform costlier formats on cost-per-response.
This guide walks through postcard sizes, design, offers, and the tactics that get the best return from a postcard campaign.
Best Postcard Sizes
Common sizes include 4×6 (economical, standard postage), 5×7, 5.5×8.5, and jumbo 6×11 formats that command more attention. Larger EDDM-eligible postcards stand out in the mail while still qualifying for low saturation postage. See live pricing for every size on our pricing page.
Postcard Design Essentials
- One clear headline that states the offer or benefit immediately.
- A single strong image rather than a cluttered collage.
- An obvious call to action — phone, website, or QR code.
- Full-bleed color and high-contrast text for readability at a glance.
- Keep the back scannable: offer, CTA, contact details, and mailing area.
Crafting the Offer
The offer is what turns a postcard into a customer. Use a specific, time-limited incentive ("20% off through Friday," "Free estimate this month") and make it the most prominent thing on the card. A deadline creates urgency; a promo code lets you track redemptions.
Targeting and Frequency
With EDDM you can mail every home on chosen carrier routes — ideal for local businesses. Focus on the neighborhoods closest to you or most likely to buy, and mail the same area more than once. Repetition builds recognition and lifts response with each pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
4x6 is the most economical and qualifies for standard postcard postage. Larger sizes like 5.5x8.5 or 6x11 grab more attention and, when EDDM-eligible, still mail at low saturation rates.
Lead with one clear headline and offer, use a single strong full-color image, and make the call to action obvious. Simplicity and contrast beat clutter every time.
Repetition works. Mailing the same neighborhood several times over a campaign builds recognition and typically raises response compared with a single drop.
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