Paper Weight & Coating
For postcards you will want to use a minimum of 80lb card stock. Many printers will coat both sides of a postcard but may give you an option to leave the address side uncoated so that the address may be printed on the card instead of using a label.
Size
There are many different size postcards available. The maximum size for first class rate postage is 6 x 4 ¼” and the maximum size for standard rate postage is 6” x 11”. Please click on the Physical Standards below for more specifications.
Address / Barcode Clear Area
For letters and postcards, the easiest design is to leave the area clear 4” from the right side and 2” from the bottom. Leave this corner area for addressing and the barcode. This is the easy way but if you want to have printing in this area then be sure to leave a 4” x 2” clear area and make sure it conforms to USPS regulations for the address.
