Making the Most of Postcard Printing

Ways to get the most out of the cost of custom business postcards

There are many factors to consider when planning a postcard design. Whether you choose to go with a business postcard service or produce and mail your own postcards, you need to make decisions, many of which affect the cost as well as the effectiveness of your postcard mailing.

The following choices affect the cost of business postcard printing and mailing:

1. The size of the postcard will affect not only the cost of printing but also the rate of postage;

2. Your choice of whether to use color and whether to use a glossy coating will affect the cost, whether you print them yourself or use postcard printing services;

3. And your choice of a mailing list and whether you mail the postcards yourself or pay to have them mailed will have an effect on the mailing cost.

 

Find online help to make your own printable postcards

Companies that make computer printers and paper products provide help at their websites for customers who want help making a nice looking postcard. Templates are available that give you a pre-made design that you can change and customize by adding your own company's information. You can use online and downloadable software that make it easier to make a nice postcard.
Try: Use the interactive HP Creative Studio to create a custom postcard for your business at the Hewlett-Packard website. Download Adobe Acrobat templates for postcards from Xerox. Pick one of four free helpful ways to design your postcard from Avery Dennison, including templates, online software and downloadable software.

Get business postcard services including help with mailing

Mailing comes last in the postcard distribution process, but plan for it early in the design process. You can mail postcards of a certain size using the postcard postage rate, but larger ones require additional postage. When designing the postcard, leave room for the mailing label and postage and plan the front with no essential information at the bottom, since the post office sometimes affixes a bar code sticker in this area.
Try: Choose from a number of mailing services and information on mailing postcards from Modern Postcard. Buy a mailing list to use in mailing your postcard from PrintDirectForLess.com. Determine the size limitations for using the postcard stamp instead of the regular first-class stamp at the USPS website.

Get tips on writing copy for your business postcards

Writing marketing copy is more than just getting the grammar right. Learn how to do it by reading online tips, if you are serious about making the most of postcard printing.
Try: Get tips on writing and mailing marketing postcards from FrugalMarketing.com. Find links to several helpful articles related to writing and mailing marketing postcards at Business Know-How.

 

• Some postcard printers also provide mailing services. Be sure to include your company's return address so you can assess how many undeliverable addresses are on your mailing list.

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