A postcard or post card is typically a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope and at a lower rate than a letter. It is distinguished by stamp collectors from a postal card in that the postage is pre-printed on the latter, whereas a postcard requires a stamp. While a postcard is usually printed by a private company, individual or organization, a postal card is issued by the relevant postal authority. The United States Postal Service defines a postcard as: rectangular, at least 3-½ inches high x 5 inches long x .007 inch thick and no more than 4-¼ inches high x 6 inches long x .016 inches thick;[1] however, some postcards have deviated from this (for example, shaped postcards).
Advertising postcard
An advertising postcard is a postcard used for advertising purposes (as opposed to tourism and greeting postcards). Because the postcard begins as a blank sheet of paper, the options for what may be advertised are endless. Postcards are used in advertising as an alternative to or complementary addition to other print advertising such as catalogs, letters, and flyers. Advertising postcards may be mailed or distributed by other means.
Direct-mail Advertising Postcards
An advertising postcard that is sent in the mail is delivered directly to the recipient. An organization may send advertising postcards to their current customers, their prospective customers, and/or names and addresses to which they want to target their advertisements. Direct mail advertising postcards offer an advantage over other direct marketing mail pieces, such as letters, because the recipient can see the message without having to open the piece of mail.
Many traditional businesses use direct mail advertising postcards. Common examples include:
Realtors - advertising new listings
Political campaigns - getting the message out
Doctors / Dentists - appointment reminders
Others - lawn care, oil change, movie rentals, etc.
Non-mailed Advertising Postcards
An advertising postcard which may also known as a free card or an ad card is a postcard which is designed and used to advertise or raise awareness of a company, service or cause. The difference between advertising postcards and normal postcards is distinguished by the fact that advertising postcards are not touristic or solely intended for tourists.
Advertising postcards are usually found in nightclubs, restaurants, bars, cinemas or other locations in major cities generally frequented by the trendy, young social group (ages 18-35). The cards are free to take to patrons of the establishment. They usually contain discreet advertising slogans but have attractive or ingenious images and are produced on good quality card stock with a postcard back. One of the marketing concepts of advertising postcards is that the cards are so attractive people want to pick them up, save them, show, or post them, to a friend and say "have you seen this".
A characterising feature of the cards is that they carry the publisher/distributors name and logo. The card racks usually have between 10 to 20 slots, each one of which contains cards advertising different products, events, promotions etc. Cards are changed on a regular basis so there is a continuing supply of new material for people to take.
Postcard Printing in a nutshell
Custom printed postcards are the fastest, easiest, and most economical way to dramatically increase your sales and profits. A custom printed postcard can increase response to your sales message and provide brand name recognition your company needs. make it easy for your prospective client to buy your product or service; all the while making your advertising dollars stretch further with your own custom printed postcard.
What is a business postcard?
A custom business postcard in most cases is used to quickly gain the attention of the reader.
Other mediums offer similar advantages but the postcard is by far the easiest and most efficient.
Postcards usually come in three standard sizes, 4 x 6 (standard size), 5 x 7, 5-1/2 x 8-1/2. As per the required sizes
Tip: Since a postcard is a smaller size they are less expensive to produce and mail.
Expect to pay a little more for heavier thicker card stock. The heavier stock is more durable
and will last longer.
Postcard Stock FAQ.
To read more about the Postcards :
How can printing and mailing postcards help Your business?
Integrating printed postcards into your marketing plan can help broaden your clientlist.
Here are some examples of how to include a postcard:
Subscription or renewal cards for newsletters, magazines, and other periodicals.
Order forms, Survey forms, Coupons, Mini-news releases or announcements, Products, and/or services, Announce parties & events, Promote special sales and offers, Send out a coupon, Create your business & personal cards.
How should I design my postcard?
Before developing the design of your postcard ask yourself what is this postcard intended for?
Is it an order form, mini-news release, or a general statement of my products and/or services?
Create your postcard in a way that will persuade the reader to take action.
Tip:
1. If your postcard is a form for ordering or surveying, keep it simple because too much text can be confusing which may cause the reader to lose interest.
2. When choosing a font make sure you use at least 10pt text. A sans-serif font (Arial, Tahoma, Verdana) is best suited for smaller type size because it has a cleaner sharper look.
Marketing research has proven that full color postcards are more effective than postcards printed in one or two colors. The visual cues in full color printing grab the attention of the reader so keep this in mind when you design.
Another consideration when designing your postcard is what type of card stock will you use:
coated or uncoated. Coated card stock will convey your message on your postcard more dramatically since the stock will have a smooth glossy finish. It will also be more durable. uncoated postcards is generally printed in two or 3 color special & More tips for printing an effective Marketing Postcard Prepaid return postage.
Pre-addressed return address on card or a pre-addressed envelope. Color. Neon-bright paper, pre-printed paper, or photo-postcards attract attention. Plenty of room to fill in names and addresses, and easy-to-read large type. Check-boxes that allow the recipient to quickly fill out order forms or surveys. Incentives such as free gifts or drawings for prizes to entice recipients to return surveys or other types of reply cards. Include your mailing address, phone number, or other alternate contact information on the card. Repeat any special marketing message that is found in accompanying marketing materials. Calls to action. Always tell the recipient what to do with the card — "Fill it out & drop it in the mail" may seem obvious, but say it anyway.
Offset Postcard Printing
Most high quality commercial post card printing is done on an offset press using a four- color process called CMYK. CMYK stands for Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black. These four colors are used to create the various shades of color seen in a vibrant, full color postcard. Your computer monitor is calibrated in RGB. Due to these different color models and the wide variation in monitor technologies, the colors will be similar, but not exact. If you print a sample on your inkjet or laser color printer, there may be instances of substantial variations from the high quality produced from an offset lithographic press.
Short-Run and Digital Postcard Printing
Modern digital-to-plate technology, digital presses and state-of-the-art laser printers have made it possible to produce small quantities of high-quality color products at prices everyone can afford. Companies are now offering smaller quantities for business cards and postcards by building an automated work flow. This technology allows setup charges to be the lowest in history.
Protecting your Postcard quality
Printed postcards are often coated to enhance and protect the ink and card stock as it travels through the mail. Take a look below for the most popular finishes.
Aqueous UV coating - A fast-drying, water-based, protective coating which is applied while the paper stock is on the press. Cheapest type of coating. UV coating - A liquid gloss plastic finish applied after printing. Film lamination - A process of applying a plastic film on the postcards
Paper quality & sizes - 220, 250, 300, 350 gsm card stock & other stock is also available as per requirement. A custom business postcard in most cases is used to quickly gain the attention of the reader. Other mediums offer similar advantages but the postcard is by far the easiest and most efficient. Postcards usually come in three standard sizes, 4 x 6 (standard size), 5 x 7, and 5-1/2 x 8-1/2.
Printed Postcards quantity
Printed Postcards quantity are not matter to us. From 250 Printed Postcards to the 1000's. we made them all. The best thing about us is the Quantity doesn't matter to us.We belive in Quality & Customers Satisfaction.
Design Format
We provide Printed Postcards cards in the Jpeg Format design to customers to see the Proofs & also the the setting required in the Postcards as well as requirements in the postcards
How we provide you the Digital Proofs ?
First after providing the matter to us . we make the design & send you the digital proof in JPEG Formats.
How you can see the digital Proofs ?
Copy the file on the desktop & see the preview in the computer & if it is not coming see in the photoshop or try to import in some other programme to see, never open the attachment on the e-mail because it will not show you the preview on your computer.
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