When conceptualizing a postcard printing project, it is helpful to consider the intended purpose for the item. Moreover, regardless of whether the planned use is for marketing, political advertising, or to invite people to an event, the end goal is to communicate effectively. Indeed, popular since its invention in the nineteenth-century, a well-printed postcard is a versatile tool.

Layout and design are the backbone of how the project will look when completed. Thinking through the details before there are problems is effective and efficient. Printers can help those who want to provide their own company information, and will no doubt charge if hands-on assistance is required. If one is using an online printer and ordering a digital product, see if the company has an online template and/or guidelines.

Choosing a size is also necessary. While a small card is probably optimal if the mailer only wants to acknowledge all of one's application materials were received, a larger card may be more desirable if the card is intended to display artwork. Determining the best size includes calculating overall mailing and printing costs. Generally, larger cards cost more to print and mail. Moreover, in the United States, the size of the postcard determines the mailing rate. If these cards will go through a postal system, confirm in advance that the planned specifications meet all requirements.

Aesthetics are also a consideration when choosing colors, the font, and any pictures to spice up the design. An image that looks fine on the web is likely to have too low a resolution to translate well into print. A light color font may appear clear on a white background on the computer and totally wash out when printed. Also look for a readable font.

Staying away from digital colors is as important as using good images for your postcard printing. Printers generally use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) programs. RGB (red, green, blue), while fine on the computer, does not print as accurately. There are exceptions, so it is good to ask about color specifications during the consultation. Realizing that the coloration does not even remotely match what is desired is a disappointment that is avoidable.

Although the capabilities of digital printing processes have increased, some still prefer the quality of offset work. Weighing the options includes the type of stock preferred for the cards, whether a quick turnaround is required, print run size, and the end use of the card. A high quality image is nice for artwork. If one is printing informational text, the difference between the two is less noticeable.

While one-sided is generally less costly, using two-sided printing may expand the life of a card. For example, if an invitation to an event may include a related image on one side, with a map and key details on the other. If only a portion of the run includes the invitation/map, then the left over cards are not out-of-date and can be re-purposed. Another option is to use color on one side and black-and-white on the other.

Other details for the printing checklist include choosing a printing surface. Is a matte or glossy stock more suitable? How large a run is needed? Generally it is more cost effective to do a large run than to need to re-print, particularly if offset printing is used.

If one has a need to communicate an idea or connect with others, postcard printing is an option to consider. They are quick, they are versatile, and often attractive as well. Indeed, it is amazing to think that these small pieces of card stock remain appealing even in our digital world.

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