USPS Postcard Mailing Guidelines - Avoid Costly Mailing Mistakes
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has regulations for everything and postcards are no exception. If you are doing a postcard mailing campaign and want to use the USPS then you must stick to their rules. They tell you exactly where the white space of the postcard is supposed to be for the address, bar coding and postage.
Their regulations also go into background color, photos and images and background color. They also cite dimensions and exclusion areas for various sizes of postcards. By their definition, excluded areas are as follows:
In order to be classified as a 'Regular sized postcard' by their guidelines, the postcard must measure the following dimensions:
- The total dimensions should be 5.85" x 4.5"
- The inner margin should be 0.25" within the trim line.
- The final trim size must measure 5.6" x 4.25"
Due to the fact that trim lines do vary somewhat between printers, your design should keep all graphics, images, and copy within the designated design area.
You should extend any colors or images of the background beyond the trim line if you want that background to print to the edges of your design.
The postcard's 'bleed' should be 0.125" beyond the trim edge.
Certain areas of your postcard are required to remain void of any text, images, logos, graphics or color and must remain totally white. Thos areas are the back side, the print area and the mail orders areas.
The postage areas should measure 1.625" x 1.375" extended from the top right bleed corner.
The Address area should measure 2.875" x 0.75" measured from the top and right of the bar code.
The bar coding areas of the postcard should measure 4.875" x 0.75" measured from the bottom right bleed corner.
If your card is a Jumbo sized card it must measure as follows:
- Total dimensions must be 8.75" x 5.75"
- The Inner Margin must fall within 0.25" of the trim line of the card.
- The final trim size of the card must measure 8.5" x 5.5"
It happens that trim lines vary somewhat between printers therefore you should ensure that all images, graphics, logos, or text that you want to keep falls inside the design area.
In the event that you desire your background to print all the way to the edge of your postcard design, you should be sure to extend them slightly beyond the trim line.
The 'bleed' area of the postcard should extend 0.125" beyond the trim edge of the card.
USPS specifies that non-printable areas of the card are as follows: backside, print area, address area and mail orders only. These particular areas must remain free of any text, graphics, images, logos or copy and must also remain totally white.
The Address and Bar Code areas of the postcard should be located as follows: 4.125" x 3.125" as measured from the bottom right bleed corner.
USPS regulations also state that the Postage area of the postcard should be: 1.875" x 1.375" as measured from the right top bleed corner.
In order for a postcard to qualify as 'Panoramic size' a postcard must measure as follows:
- Ultimate trim size should measure 11.5" x 5.75"
- Total dimensions of the card should measure 11.5" x 6"
- The design area should fall 0.25" with the trim line.
It happens that trim lines vary between printers thus you should insure that all you graphics, images, and copy fall within that area.
If you want your background to print to the absolute edge of the design, you must make any background images or colors extend beyound the trim line.
The USPS specifies certain areas that must remain devoid of printing. They include the Address area, the Print area, the back side, and the mail order area.
The address and bar code areas are supposed to measure 4.375" x 2.125" as measured from the bottom right bleed corner.
Bleed extends 0.125" beyond the trim edge.
Background images and/or colors should extend beyond the trim line if you prefer that your background image print to the absolute edge of your postcard.
USPS guidelines specify certain are that must remain devoid of printing. They are the back side, the mail orders area, and the print and address areas. They must also be totally white and contain no text or graphics.
The address and bar code area's dimensions are required to be 4.375" x 2.125" as measured from the bottom right bleed corner.
The Postage area of the postcard is required to measure 1.625" x.75" as measured from the top right bar code/address area.
To be qualified as an Oversize postcard it's measurement should be:
- Overall dimensions of 8.75" x 11.25"
- Inner margin must be 0.25" within the trim line.
- The final trim size must be 8.5" x 11"
- Bleed area must be 0.125" beyond the trim edge of postcard.
Keep any text or graphics that you want to preserve within the design area because trim lines vary somewhat with printers.
The USPS also specifies that certain areas of the card shall be devoid of any text or graphics. Those areas include the back side of the card, the print area, the address area and the Mail orders area.
The bar code and addressing areas of the card should be 3.875" x 3.375" from the top right bleed corner. And the return address should be 3.5" x 1.25" from the top inner margin of the card.
Posted on October 15, 2018
