Everything You Need Before Ordering Postcards Online

Recently updated on October 30th, 2025 at 01:13 am

Even in this day and age, postcards are still a reliable way to connect with clients and strengthen brand visibility. Businesses use them to share announcements, promote events, or keep their audience engaged. With today’s digital tools, ordering postcards online has become more convenient than ever. You can easily customize the postcard designs, select finishes, and arrange delivery all from the comfort of your own home.

Still, a successful postcard order requires careful planning and execution. From choosing the right size and paper stock to finalizing your message and organizing the mailing list, every detail matters. This checklist guides you through each step, ensures smooth order placement, and helps you achieve the results you expect.

Before You Order Postcards Online

Before you start designing your postcards, plan for the essential factors surrounding your campaign. Take time to clarify your purpose, audience, budget, and performance tracking so your postcards deliver the message accurately, elicit the correct response, and meet your goals while staying on budget.

• • Define the purpose

Clarify the reason for your postcard campaign. Are you trying to reach out to new customers? Are you promoting an upcoming event or sale? Or are you reaching out to clients to stay top of mind? Your purpose will determine everything else, including the design, message, and printing choices.

• • Identify the target audience

Tailor your postcards’ message for loyal customers, new prospects, or a local community. Defining the audience will also shape your postcards’ design, budget, and mailing approach (either EDDM or direct mailing).

• • Plan the budget

Speaking of budget, you should set a clear allocation for your postcard funds, factoring in printing, mailing, postage, and tracking tools. Planning costs early prevent overspending and help keep track of your postcard ROI.

• • Establish performance tracking

Another important element for tracking ROI is to record your postcard performance. Use QR codes, promo codes, unique URLs, or CRM entries to track responses. Recording performance can also help with future campaigns by setting points for comparison.

Creating the Postcard

Now that you have your goals cleared and your mailing options set, you can apply them to your postcard design. This section compiles all the critical elements for designing postcards online. From branding and messaging to layout and visuals, these essentials ensure your postcard communicates your message clearly, reflects your brand, and stays print-ready for smooth production.

1. Branding Requirements

• • • Place your brand name and logo prominently

Position your brand name and logo where they’re immediately visible. Also, try to be consistent with your branding placement, especially if you have multiple postcard designs. Ensure your logo, name, and slogans are also up-to-date and are placed in a way that lets recipients associate your message directly with your company.

1. 1. • Use brand colors in the design

Always incorporate your official brand colors throughout the design. Let these color combinations dominate the postcard’s background or accents, creating a strong first impression and visual connection to your brand identity.

1. 1. • Include contact information

Provide complete updated contact details, including your email address, phone number, address, and website. You may also use QR codes to make it easy for recipients to connect with you online and be more engaged with your campaign. The QR codes can also provide data for tracking campaign responses.

2. All the Necessary Information

1. 1. • State the campaign name clearly

Identify the campaign title and relevant details such as launch dates, sales deadlines, event schedules, or product release dates. Ensure the information you include is accurate and scannable, so customers can easily take action.

1. 1. • Highlight special offers

You can also use the postcard to promote exclusive perks, such as discount codes and promotional deals. These incentives encourage customer response and also help track engagement.

1. 1. • Make your call-to-action prominent

Write a bold, actionable CTA that guides recipients clearly. Ensure the message is unmissable and compelling enough that customers will not just check your brand promotions but also relate to what you are offering.

3. Postcard Design Essentials

1. 1. • Choose reliable design tools or templates

Start by getting professional design software that will help you add images, position text, and organize your postcard layout. Many online design tools are available, offering free editing features.

You can also download free templates that provide bleed lines and margins for your chosen postcard size. This ensures your postcard meets industry standards and avoids printing issues.

1. 1. • Use high-quality images

Incorporate visuals that support your brand and campaign goals. Select images with a resolution of 300dpi or higher to ensure sharp, professional-looking prints.

1. 1. • Construct a clean, organized layout

Arrange branding, text, images, and QR codes in a balanced way. Try to maximize your design tool’s editing features so your postcard highlights essential information and is easy to read. Also, try to avoid creating clutter and overdesigning your postcard. Simplicity is king when it comes to postcard designs.

1. 1. • Finalize size and format carefully

Once you are done with the design, check if the file format is optimum and reflects the postcard size you want your design printed on. Most printers require image files in the CMYK scheme, saved in .png, .pdf, or .psd formats.

Sending Your Postcard Design to the Printers Online

Once you’ve finalized your postcard design, the last step is to send it off for production. Here’s where you maximize the smooth online printing and mailing process. Still, ensure your printed postcards are of top quality and will reach your audience on time.

• • Select a reliable printing partner

Choose a trusted online printing company that offers both production and distribution services. A dependable partner ensures your postcards are printed correctly and delivered efficiently to your target audience.

• • Upload your design and review the options

Submit your finished design to the printer’s online platform. You should also explore and set the product calculator, including paper stock, postcard size, custom finish, and quantity, to align your postcard with both your campaign’s budget and goals.

• • Submit your mailing list and confirm dates

Provide an accurate mailing list and confirm turnaround and delivery schedules with your printer to ensure timely and accurate results. You can also discuss Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) with your provider and set a region where you want your postcards distributed if that mailing strategy fits better with your campaign.

• • Request and approve proof

Request digital proof of your design. Carefully review every detail to ensure that the text, colors, and layout align with your campaign. Once you’re fully satisfied with the final design, you can approve and proceed.

• • Place and track your order

Finalize your order and monitor progress using the print provider’s tracking tools. Keeping tabs on production and delivery to make sure your postcards reach customers without delays or errors. You can then check customer responses, feedback, and ROI for your postcard campaign.

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Ordering postcards for your business calls for careful thought and strategic planning. Every detail and step matter, from brainstorming your campaign idea to refining the design, printing the postcards, and mailing them out. The good news is that today’s online printing solutions make the process far more efficient. With reliable printing partners like NextDayFlyers, you can count on fast production, reliable mailing, and high-quality printing. So, pair a little preparation with the right partner and creativity, and your postcard campaign can reach new people, strengthen your connections, and give your brand the boost it deserves.