Postal Standards for Postcard Pieces

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Letter vs. Postcard Rates

According to the USPS requirements, the smallest mailable size is 3 1/2" x 5". The largest size for mailing at the Postcard rate is 4 1/4" x 6", which we offer as a Regular size postcard. The higher letter rate applies to any piece larger than our Regular size postcard up to 6 1/8" x 11". For Standard Mail, there is no Postcard rate so all postcard sizes use the Standard Mail letter rate.

What about bulk mail discounts

Because of the slowness of USPS Standard Mail (aka bulk mail), and the lack of postcard standard mail rates, we only mail cards at the faster 1st Class rate. We take full advantage of pre-sorting and automation discounts for 1st Class Mail, providing per-piece rates as low as 17.9 cents.

Should I include a return address on my postcard?

It's entirely up to you. Including a return address enables you to update your list after each mailing. You also may benefit by reducing postage costs and increased sales (your information reaches who you intend it to). We mail all postcards via First class mail, and bounced mail is returned free of charge.

USPS Design Requirements

Any postcard designed by Concept Marketing Group is designed using USPS postal design standards for automation-compatible mail, and is guaranteed deliverable. If you choose to design your own postcard, you are responsible for meeting design criteria for the address side of the card. USPS design requirements can be found here and here. In a nutshell:

• The bottom 5/8" of the card must be free of writing so the post office can print barcodes.
  
• The mailing address area must be position on the right side of the postcard, a minimum of 3 1/2" wide, and 2 1/8" tall, and contain no images or text other than the delivery address.
  
• The return address, if included, must be near the top of the postcard.
  
• No addresses of any kind can be located on the bottom 2 1/2" of the postcard, or the post office might deliver to that address instead of the intended address.
  
• An empty white area of 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" must be left in the upper right corner for indicia/permit markings or stamps.