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Postcard Design Specifications
Print dimensions and other design specifications, and USPS postal regulations
If you plan to use our online design system, all customizable designs are set up according to
USPS regulations, and we will walk you through all the details you need to know, but you may
find it useful to review this page for your reference.
If you are creating your own design files, rather than using our customizable designs, following
these basic design specifications will ensure that your order moves through production
without delay, that your order prints as you intend, and that your postcard meets the necessary
US Postal Service guidelines for mailing.
Preparing Your Files
If you have not already done so, please review our guide to
Preparing Your Files for acceptable file types and file specifications. This page covers important terminology and file setup, including:
- Bleeds, inner margins and trim size
- CMYK color and color matching standards
- Image resolution and dpi
- Embedded fonts and linked files
- Copyrighted images and other content
- PDF and printed proofs
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a delay in printing.
US Postal Service Requirements for Mailing
If you are using our mailing services, the United States Postal Service requires that certain areas of the address side of the postcard be left white for addressing, postage, and bar coding. This includes background color, text, and any photos/images. The dimensions and exclusions vary based on the postcard size, so please adhere to the exclusion areas defined in the layouts below.
If you are choosing address only service, and plan to mail your cards yourself, the only exclusion you will need to follow is for the addressing area. To find out more about USPS requirements for your mailing, we recommend visiting your local post
office or the official
US Postal Service Web site.
Postcard Design Specifications
Regular Size
Trim Size: 4.25" x 5.6"
Inner Margin: 0.25" within the trim edge
Bleed: 0.25" beyond trim edge
Bleed Size: 4.75" x 6.1"
USPS excluded areas (address side, addressing & mailing orders only)
Postage/Indicia: 1.5" x 1.25" anchored from top right trim corner
Bar Coding: 4.75" x 0.625" from bottom right
Addressing: 2.75" x 1.625" from top right of Bar Code
Jumbo Size
Trim Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Inner Margin: 0.25" within the trim edge
Bleed: 0.25" beyond trim edge
Bleed Size: 6" x 9"
USPS excluded areas (address side, addressing & mailing orders only)
Postage/Indicia: 1.75" x 1.25" anchored from top right trim corner
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4" x 3" from bottom right
Panoramic Size
Trim Size: 5.75" x 11.25"
Inner Margin: 0.25" within the trim edge
Bleed: 0.125" beyond trim edge
Bleed Size: 6" x 11.5"
USPS excluded areas (address side, addressing & mailing orders only)
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.25" x 2" anchored from bottom right trim corner
Postage/Indicia: 1.5" x .75" from top right of address/bar coding area
Giant Size
Trim Size: 8.5" x 11""
Inner Margin: 0.25" within the trim edge
Bleed: 0.25" beyond trim edge
Bleed Size: 9" x 11.5"
USPS excluded areas (address side, addressing & mailing orders only)
Addressing and Bar Coding: 4.75" x 2.25" anchored from bottom right trim corner
Postage/Indicia: 1.5" x 1.125" from top right of address/bar coding area
