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Postcards
Our Postcards are not the ordinary flimsy color copy cards offered around town but are professional looking and thick stocked cards. We offer a variety of stocks even uncoated stocks.
We print our Postcards on state-of-the-art Indigo presses, which print each card individually instead of mashing together hundreds of cards on a large sheets, which sacrifice quality for quantity. Our presses give us more control over color and allow us to offer many different types of stocks.
Our quantities start at 100 pieces, and our most popular is 14pt., C1S (coated one side) - this allows you to write easily on the back of the cards. Remember, if you want UV coating on both sides you must use a cardstock with a coated surface on both sides. We offer semi-gloss or full-gloss UV coating available on coated stocks only.
We take files from most programs including Microsoft Word and Publisher, as well as traditional graphics programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. We prefer working with Press Quality PDF files - that way the file has your graphics and fonts embedded in the final file.
We can work with most programs but prefer press quality PDF. Please do not paginate cards or submit multiple up files (we do the pagination ourselves).
Most Postcards are printed same day once we get approval .
A few things to remember before submitting your files:
-If you submit Press Quality PDF’s to our specs you can view a proof online within minutes using our automated system. Our prepress staff will still look over your job before going to press and if your files do need some changes we will send you another proof .
- Make sure you include a bleed area of .125" if you do have image going off the card.
- Cutting may vary so keep all valuable text and logos within the safe area.
- Resolution of logos should be at least 600 dpi
- You can download our templates on our site
If you need help designing your new, professional-looking business cards, you can email us at workflow@hhimaging.com or call us at (415) 431-4731. And yes, we are local.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
Why am I getting another proof after I approved my file online?
If you submit your press quality PDF online your file goes through our automated process but it does not end there. Our prepress staff looks over your file for other issues such as missing bleeds, Rich black text and other issues you might not see in your proof. Please relook over the proof and approve again (this service is free).
How much does it cost to have one of your designers design my card?
Most postcard designs takes between 30 minutes to an hour and we bill out and $100 an hour. So typically it only costs $50-$100 to get the most out of the experience please submit all information to our designers at one time this will help keep the cost down.
Can I see a hard copy proof?
Yes and we encourage it. We want you to be a 100% satisfied.
More General Info On Postcards
A postcard or post card is a rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. In some places, it is possible to send them for a lower fee than for a letter. Stamp collectors distinguish between postcards (which require a stamp) and postal cards (which have the postage pre-printed on them). 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 3½ inches high × 5 inches long × 0.007 inches thick and no more than 4¼ inches high × 6 inches long × 0.016 inches thick;[1] (in metric; 12.7 cm × 8.9 cm). However, some postcards have deviated from this (for example, shaped postcards).
A Glossary of Postcard Terms
Appliqué - A term used to describe a postcard which has some form of cloth, metal or other embellishment attached to it.
Bas Relief - Postcards with a heavily raised surface, giving a papier-mâché appearance.
Big Letter - A term used to describe a postcard that shows the name of a place in very big letters that do not have pictures inside each letter (see also Large Letter).
Composites - A number of individual cards, that when placed together in a group, form a larger picture.
Divided Back - Postcards with a back divided into two sections, one for the message, the other for the address. British cards were first divided in 1902 and American cards in 1907.
Embossed - Postcards with a raised surface.
Hand-tinted - Black-and-white images were tinted by hand using watercolors and stencils.
Intermediate Size - The link between Court Cards and Standard Size, measuring 130 mm × 80 mm.
Kaleidoscopes - Postcards with a rotating wheel that reveals a myriad of colors when turned.
Large Letter - A term used to describe a postcard which has the name of a place shown as a series of very large letters, inside of each of which is a picture of that locale (see also Big Letter).
Novelty - Any postcard which deviates in any way from the norm. Cards which do something, or have articles attached to them, or are printed in an unusual size or on strange materials. An example is cards made of leather.
Oilette - A trade name used by Raphael Tuck to describe postcards reproduced from original paintings.
Real Photographic - Abbreviated to ‘RP’. Used to describe postcards produced by a photographic rather than a printing process.
Undivided Back - Describes postcards with a plain back where all of this space was used for the address. This is a term often used to describe Early cards, although undivided were still in common use up until 1907.
Vignette - Usually found on undivided back cards, consisting of a design which does not occupy the whole of the picture side. Vignettes may be anything from a small sketch in one corner of the card, to a design cover three quarters of the card. The purpose is to leave some space for the message to be written, as the entire reverse of the card could only be used for the address.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Postcard Templates
The everyday presence of highly graphic posters, banners, magazines, flyers, labels, other printed ads, television and online ads only emphasizes how an illustrative design can make a big difference to the performance of a marketing campaign.
It is for this reason that businesses spend a pretty grand amount of time and money on in-house or outsourced graphic designers. In-house designers work the best since they are an actual part of the company and share the same vision and objectives with the entire organization. On the other hand, outsourced designers can only travel towards the company's vision for a limited amount of time and then are gone. At times, these designers only provide a generic concept and look that don't really completely drive the message of your campaign or business. In such cases, businesses are better off resorting to designing their postcards themselves.
For this last resort, we provide free downloadable postcard templates easily customizable to your needs and liking.
These templates are designed to apply to a wide range of graphic design software programs and have been crafted to be as accurate as possible and complete with bleeds, safe zones and product dimensions. Customize your postcards with postcard templates and easily design the look your business needs.
Get Started....Calculate Your Price! Download a template -----> Save as PDF |
Templates
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Click "Upload Your Art" tab for instructions on sending your files and seeing your proofs.
Click "Name your project" then click on the [ Prepare artwork ] tab.
| Click the ( Upload Applet ) button on this tab. This will bring up the Java file upload applet - a Digitally Signed and SAFE tool for file transfer on either Mac or PC. Simply drag your PDF, PS, or EPS design files onto the bullseye drop zone - either from the left navigation panel - or straight from your desktop folders - and press the Start Upload button. Once the upload is finished you will see a list of your files at the bottom of the Prepare Artwork tab. If there is any mistake you will see a X on the right side that you can delete the files with. |
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When you are happy with the file list simply press the Submit Project for Proofing link under the file list. Click the Production Workflow tab above to see how we handle your files! |
Simple low-cost postcards have become a valuable business tool for modern marketers. They can produce a surge of traffic to your web site or a flood of high-quality sales leads.
The following 7 tips will help you get the maximum response from postcards at the lowest cost.
Tip 1: Focus on the Mailing List
Make sure your postcards go to prospects likely to be interested in your offer ...and who also have a proven history of acting on offers that interest them.
For example, send them to customers of non-competing businesses that sell to your targeted market, subscribers to publications read by prospects in your targeted market or to prospects who previously requested information about products or services similar to those you offer.
You can get all of these lists from most mailing list brokers.
Tip 2: Be a Friend
Set up your postcard to look at first glance like a message from a friend instead of like a magazine ad printed on a postcard. It will boost the number of replies you get.
A postcard that looks like a friendly message produces a pleasant emotional reaction from readers instead of the harsh emotional reaction most people have to advertising.
Tip 3: Ditch the Sales Pitch
Don't try to close sales directly from your postcard. You don't have enough space to provide all the information most prospects need to make a buying decision. Instead, use your postcard to generate sales inquiries.
Begin your postcard by briefly stating the major benefit(s) you offer. Then use the remainder of your postcard to motivate readers to get more information from a source where you can close sales ...such as at your web site or from a phone number they can call.
Tip 4: Get Right to the Point
Postcards are delivered "ready to read". Take advantage of this. Get right to the point to capture the reader's attention immediately. This makes it difficult for prospects to avoid reading your postcard - especially if your entire message is brief and easy to read.
Tip 5: Go First Class
Send your postcards by First Class Mail. It costs only 23 cents in the US if make them at least 3 1/2 by 5 inches but not over 4 1/4 by 6 inches.
This gives you all the benefits of First Class Mail for just a few cents more than Standard Mail ("bulk rate mail") ...and it produces a lot more replies.
Tip 6: Watch Your Timing
Send your postcards so they arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday. The volume of mail delivered in the US on those days is usually light and your postcards won't have to compete with a lot of other mail delivered at the same time.
Try to avoid having your postcards delivered on Monday. It's usually the biggest mail delivery day of the week and a very busy day for most people.
Tip 7: Economize on Designing and Printing
Don't spend a lot to design and print your postcards. Using an elegant layout with colorful graphics can be expensive and it rarely improves your reply rate - unless you are selling those services.
Simple postcards designed to look like a message from a friend can be printed on your own computer for only 1 or 2 cents per card ...or you can have a commercial printer do the job for as little as 4 to 7 cents per card.
The next time you want to drive a surge of traffic to your web site or generate a flood of new sales leads - send postcards. And be sure to follow the 7 tips revealed in this article to get to maximum response to your postcards for the lowest cost.
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Political Postcard Design -
Graphic Design India Delhi -
Postcard Template -
Promotional Postcard
To help get your creative juices flowing here is what we've compiled to Postcard Designs.
Postcards are a multipurpose marketing tool. Not only can they be mailed, they can be used as handouts during conferences, posted on announcement boards, left on countertops as pickup items or even as over-sized business cards in a pinch. Design postcards by using a printer's template, a graphic designer's skills or personal ideas to build leads and increase business.
Design For Mailing
1. Begin planning your design by learning mailing requirements. You can send postcards through the United States Postal Service as bulk or first-class items. Postcards will need to be at least 3 1/2-by-5 inches in size but not over 4 1/4-by-6 inches. They must be at least the thickness of an index card. First-class mail provides forwarding and return mail service. Bulk mail does not provide these services and is slightly less expensive.
On one side of your postcard, you will need to leave blank spaces for a stamp, the recipient's address and your return address.
Using Templates
2. Many online postcard printers provide templates to their customers. Templates take the time and worry out of getting a design idea just right. They provide placeholders and layout, and you fill in your business information and campaign details. Some templates include photographs, and others allow you to upload your own photos. You also can purchase postcard and other marketing templates through businesses such as Stock Layouts and Smile Templates.
Find a Designer
3. Hiring a graphic design company allows you to create design continuity in all of your marketing products. Continuity uses consistent colors, fonts and styles to plant visual branding in the minds of potential customers who receive your postcards. Graphic designers know how to interface with printers and copywriters to provide the right artwork and instructions for printing. To find a nearby designer, check with the AIGA, the professional association for design.
Desktop Postcard Design
4. Save money by designing a postcard on your computer and sending them in small batches. Programs such as Microsoft Publisher and Corel Draw provide templates for postcard design. Customize them by adding your own photos, logo and persuasive text. Collect postcards from other businesses for inspiration and ideas. Mailing in small batches allows for personal follow-up with each customer.
Create Personal Designs
5. Consider designing a postcard that evokes the feeling that it was sent from family or friends. Use fonts, photos and an overall format that appears to be a personal message, such as a travel postcard. This may prevent your card from being tossed immediately or from getting lost in the jumble of mail received that day.
