What are the Standard Postcard Dimensions?

If you’ve ever received a postcard in the mail, you’ve probably noticed how small and compact they are, compared to a normal sized letter or envelopes. Standard postcard dimensions are usually 4″x6″, 5″x7″, or 6″x9″, but there are so many more options that will still be able to send with direct mail.

The great thing about postcards is that they’re able to convey lots of information in a clear and compact way. They make perfect refrigerator decorations, and they’re an easy way to send someone a quick note from a faraway place.

Postcards can also be a very cost-effective print marketing tool. They allow your business to reach a large number of prospective customers at a low cost. Advertising postcards can also be more effective than traditional direct mail because people don’t have to tear open an envelope, unfold the letter, and read it. In fact, once people realize a letter is direct mail, most discard it without ever opening it.

With a postcard, all people have to do is flip it over and read your quick message on the back. Better yet, put branded content on both sides when you utilize double-sided printing. Even when they know the postcard is direct mail, their curiosity outweighs the minimum effort, so they flip it over and read it – mission accomplished!

If you’re thinking about printing postcards to announce a special promotion or simply build brand awareness, make sure to use the right size. In which case, you’re probably wondering, “What are the dimensions of a postcard?”

What Is The Standard Postcard Size?

The standard postcard size is 4” x 6” or 5 x 7”. (For marketing purposes, there’s a real advantage to 4 x 6 postcards, which we will tell you about shortly.) But most printing companies can accommodate a variety of postcard dimensions, depending on the design. This article will help you better understand the standard size of postcards.

Although 4” x 6” and 5” x 7” are the most popular postcard dimensions, a postcard can be as small as 3.5″ x 5″ to as big as 6.125″ x 11.5″ and everything in between. A postcard that fits within those dimensions and is less than .25” thick can be processed as a postcard by the U.S. Postal Office.

If you want a bigger postcard size for a marketing mailing, it will cost more. Common larger postcard dimensions include:

• 4″ x 9″
• 5.5″ x 8″
• 6″ x 11″

These larger dimensions allow for longer messaging and greater design flexibility on the cover.

When using a larger postcard, check that your printer can handle the size you want before investing the time and effort in designing your card. At Printivity, we offer numerous dimensions, these are six different larger postcard dimensions:

• 4” x 6”
• 5.5” x 8.5”
• 5” x 7”
• 6” x 9”
• 6” x 11”
• 8.5” x 11”

Our website also offers downloadable templates for each size to help you with the design.

How do postcard dimensions determine mailing cost?

For the U.S. Postal Service to charge the lower postcard rates, the size of a postcard must meet specific requirements. First, it must be rectangular in shape. Different sizes are okay; different shapes are not. Then the postcard must be at least 3.5” x 5 inches and 0.007” thick. At the same time, it can’t be larger than 4.25” x 6” and 0.016” thick. If your mailer doesn’t fit within these postcard dimensions, the U.S. Postal Service considers it a letter and will charge letter-size postage. This is what makes the 4” x 6” a good choice for marketing postcards. It fits within the guidelines for the low postcard rates, whereas the 5” x 7” does not.

With USPS Marketing Mail services, size isn’t an issue because the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t charge a lower price for these types of postcards. USPS Marketing Mail is a mailing category for businesses that want to send large quantities of mail at the lowest cost. To qualify for USPS Marketing Mail’s bulk pricing, the mailing must have a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds of mail. There is no single-piece USPS Marketing Mail postage.

It doesn’t matter if your postcard is too big or too small; all Marketing Mail is charged at letter prices. The only exception are postcards bigger than 6.125″ x 11.5″ or more than .25″ thick. Any mailer this size or larger will be charged large-envelope postage rates.

Where can I find standard postcard dimensions?

The best place to get printing with the standard dimensions of postcards is from an online printing company like Printivity. That way, you can rest easy, knowing you’ve chosen a printing company that has a proven track record of quality and service.

Contact Printivity to get standard dimensions of postcards

No matter what type of dimension you’re looking to get your postcard printed with, feel free to contact us today to speak to a customer service representative about your postcards. We also offer a wide variety of paper and coating options for the cards.

And if you need your postcards printed and shipped quickly, be sure to take advantage of the Rush Critical 24 hour printing option. Rush Critical gets your new postcards to you fast. They are usually printed and shipped out to you same-day/next-day. It’s the absolute fastest online printing service available in the United States! Contact us today to get your standard dimensions of postcards or receive answers regarding any of our quality products!