Postcards

Yes, there are a couple of ways to design your personalized postcard:

• Customize one of our professionally designed postcard templates. You can narrow your search based on specific businesses and uses.
• Start from scratch by picking one of the more basic designs from our library of templates. In the design studio, you can customize the shapes, text fields and colors for a completely unique design.
• Choose the upload option to work with a print-ready postcard design.

Absolutely. Using photos on postcards is a great way to engage recipients, whether you’re showcasing a new house on the market, advertising a restaurant opening or announcing your annual sale. We recommend choosing a glossy finish to help your photos pop.

To add photos to postcards, select the image icon in our design studio or choose a template with pre-designated photo placements (you’ll be able to replace them with your own). Just be sure your photos have an image resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) and are saved in one of the following formats:
.jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, .bmp, .png, .gif, .heic, .svg, .pdf, .psd, .ai, .eps, .ait, .ppt, .pptx, .tif, .tiff

We offer several paper stocks and finishes to match your project. You can check out the ‘Compare papers & finishes’ module to see images and explanations of all our materials, but here’s a short overview of some of our most popular stocks:

• Glossy paper enhances photo vibrancy, making it a great choice for visuals like real estate listings or event photos.
• Matte paper has a non-shiny finish that's easier to write on, perfect for appointment reminders or personal notes.
• Soft touch paper has a smooth, velvety coating that gives your postcards a premium, tactile feel, ideal for luxury branding or client gifts.
• We also offer recycled and uncoated options if you're looking for something more natural.

If you’re signed into your VistaPrint account, you’ll have access to previously uploaded design elements like photos or logo files while working in our design studio.

The standard size for a custom postcard is 4″ x 6″, but we also offer 4″ x 4″, 4.2″ x 5.5″, 5″ x 7″, 5.5″ x 8.5″, 6″ x 6″, 6″ x 9″ and 6″ x 11″ postcards.

Both help you streamline your direct mail campaigns, but the way we go about it differs:

1. Our Mailing Services option is end-to-end. You can upload your own mailing list, purchase one from us or access a previously downloaded list if you’ve mailed with us before. After we print your run of postcards, we’ll address and send them out according to the info you provide – it’s all included in your order.
2. With VistaPrint’s EDDM® postcards, you get access to EDDM®-compliant postcard sizes and templates – removing the guesswork while you’re designing. We’ll print them out and send them to you ready to mail. You’ll take them to the post office to choose a mailing area and pay for postage.

To keep your design sharp and properly aligned, we recommend working in CMYK color mode at a resolution of at least 300 DPI. Be sure to keep any important text or images within the safe zone, away from the edges, and include a 0.125-inch bleed around your design so nothing gets cut off during trimming. Our downloadable templates are a good place to start if you’re uploading a print-ready design.

We offer expedited postcard shipping if you need your postcards sooner, including 2-day delivery with select postcard options. Just check the shipping calculator while you’re designing to confirm shipping options and estimates in your area.

We do everything we can to make sure all of our paper and printing options are durable and smudge-resistant. That said, if you plan to send out your postcards through the mail, we can’t guarantee they won’t be damaged or smudged during the mailing process.