Selecting the size of your postcard makes a big difference in the rates you pay for direct mail, as well as the response rate.  It can be a bit confusing given the number of choices you face.   In this article we will be focusing on postcards.

There are multiple takes on postcards and you will have to decide if you will prefer to cheap printing and postage costs or if you would prefer a larger post card that will allow for more content and grab the attention of your recipient.

Below are a few ranges of postcard sizes as classified by the USPS

First class card – You can mail a piece that is no larger than 4.25”x6” and no smaller than 3.5”x5” for 35 cents as of the date of this writing.  Bulk rates are as low as 26 cents per card for first class service.  The minimum quantity for first class bulk mailing is 500 pieces.  Delivery normally takes 1-3 days.  These cards are ideal for notices that need to be sent first class mail and do not have lots of imagery or copy.

Large postcards – Pieces up to 6.125”x11” are considered “letter mail”.  These postcards can be as small as 3.5"x5", but the postage rate is the same for the full range of sizes for 3.5"x5" to 6.125"x11" so it is beneficial to mail a larger postcard.  The full first class rate is 47 cents.  Bulk rates for first class mail can be as low as 39.1 cents.  These postcards are also eligible for Standard Mail postage rates, which takes a little longer to deliver and doesn’t include forwarding or return service, and can vary from 30.8 cents down to as low as 15.1 cents per piece.  It is recommendable to design your postcard so that it is close to 6.125"x11" in size in order to take advantage of the letter postage rates, but note that typically the larger the postcard the more expensive the printing costs.  The most common postcard sizes are 5.5"x8.5" and 6"x9". 

“Jumbo” postcards – These are postcards that are too big to qualify for letter rates, typically 8.5”x11” or as large as 12”x15”, which is the maximum size.  These are termed “Flats” by the U.S.P.S. and postage rates can vary from 38 to 55 cents. These larger post cards can also qualify for discounted rates if they are processed as Every Door Direct Mail EDDM flats and sent to every household with selected postal carrier routes.

Larger postcards tend to get noticed more, but postcards cost more to print and mail the larger they are.  Postcards sized at 5.5"x8.5" or 6"x9" have lower postage rates and printing costs while allowing plenty space for creative and cover.  For most direct mail campaigns they are just right, but every mailing is unique.