subject: How Do You Design Your Own Postcard? [print this page] How Do You Design Your Own Postcard? How Do You Design Your Own Postcard?
Perhaps the hands-down easiest way to actually make or design a postcard is by using an online service such as Amazing Mail, CardStore or Premium Postcard (affiliates for USPS). If you need though, start first with USPS.com (United States Postal Service) to find out postage prices and other details.
If you go to USPS looking to create your card, eventually you get directed to a page where you can choose between any of the above services. Check out what they offer, pricing, print and mail times and what sort of custom cards you want to create. Generally speaking you should be able to send your card from pretty much anywhere in the world to everywhere else!
I choose to go with CardStore because I liked the idea of using eco-friendly photo cards. These 7x5 (inch) postcards come in styles such as business holiday, graduation photo and custom photo cards. The ability to personalise the card with a message, your own photos, design and addresses makes it a simple process, completely open to your imagination. Basically anything that can be captured in a digital image can be put on a postcard!
Using the CardStore template setup you then customise any messages you want on the card and upload a photo from your desktop. Not only is it simple to do, but I like how you can choose different card styles such as 3 or 4 small cute images on the front of the card or 2 portrait styled images (great for people shots).
The template allows you to add your own words to the back of the card with the preferred font style, colour and alignment that you like. Add YOUR return address where marked, and don't forget the recipient's address - your card is keen to go somewhere!
The next step is to approve your design. You have to actually verify this part - zoom in close to see the quality of your image/s and acknowledge that you accept it no matter how it turns out! (If you use a high quality photo, around 300 PPI, the print quality should be good enough). But always double-check, and if needed click your back button to re-do details.
Finally you can mail your postcard! Actually you can do a couple of things now - get your cards mailed to you in a package with the address left blank (so you can add addresses in), or add postage, print the card and get it mailed on the spot. Like I said, it's easy to do, and the template helps you along the way. Have fun!
