Knowing the basics of postcard printing is essential if one wishes to utilize one of the more effective marketing tools available for businesses today. Postcards can aid greatly in introducing and promoting your firm’s products and services, they can be sent right through a person’s home, or handed out in malls, special events, or conventions. These handy bits of paper can be used to display product features and offerings and can be created to showcase a particular place to increase consumer awareness.

Essentials of postcard printing

Postcards come in different designs and sizes. Here are the basics that you need to know:

1. Standard sizes and most popular stock

The standard sizes of postcards are 4 x 6, 5 x 7, and 5-1/2 x 8-1/2. They are usually printed on 100# card stock, with coating choices suitable for different purposes. These are some of the commonly used coatings:

UV coating – a plastic finish made of liquid gloss which is applied after the printing.
Aqueous coating –a water-based protective coating that dries fast and comes in a cheaper price. This coating is applied while the paper is still on the press.
Film lamination – a hard and firm plastic film on postcards.

Ways of printing color postcards

1. Offset postcard printing

This method is used by the majority of commercial post card printing. This is done by using a four-color process named CYMK, which stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These colors are used to make the shades that can be seen on full color postcards.

2. Spot colors

Spot colors are usually utilized for postcard printing jobs that require one or two colors or those jobs where a specific color needs to be reproduced frequently. The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is used under this method, specifically created for the creation and printing of spot colors. Using Pantone enables one to get the exact shade of color even if it is not indicated accurately on the computer screen.

3. Digital and short-run printing

Postcard printing jobs in small quantities can be done using state-of-the-art laser printers and digital presses. This service usually comes in low prices, and is used mostly for business cards and postcards.
Tips on designing and printing postcards

1. Determine the use of the postcard

The design and content depends largely on how the postcard is going to be used. If the postcard is to be used as surveying and ordering form, the layout should be simple because too much clutter of the text may appear daunting to the reader and may make them lose interest.

Also, choose the most appropriate font for your postcard. Sans-serif fonts such as Verdana, Tahoma and Arial in 10pt size are the most popular.

2. Use of color

In general, full color postcards are more eye-catching than those that come in one or two colors. Postcards in vivid color and rich detail are more effective in marketing a product or service. Making use of neon-colored and pre-printed papers is a big plus.

3. Postage and envelope

To add to the efficacy of postcards as a marketing tool, one should provide prepaid return postage and pre-addressed return address with a pre-addressed return envelope.

Creating postcards online

The Internet is now rich with tools and opportunities for creating cheap and attractive postcards without the hassle. Users who are not talented graphically can still create the most beautiful of postcards by availing some of the numerous templates provided by printing web sites. Web-based software can help users in creating custom postcards where they can upload their own artwork for designs with a personal touch. Making postcards online can give users a chance to preview a postcard by printing it before they order in bulk.