Postcard Printing: Valuable Hints And Schemes

Choosing a size for card is a part of firming up the design. If the card is to be mailed, be sure to check that it meets postal guidelines. While small cards may have lower postage, larger cards may not, and an oversize price may even need an envelope. There are also other postal restrictions. For example, the US Postal Service does not accept rounded corners.

Proper planning will also help avoid a card that doesn't translate well visually. A light type color on a light background is as difficult to understand as a dark color on dark background. Contrast is not only important for text; it is for images as well. Moreover, don't think that a dynamic image grabbed off the web insures an exciting look. Most web images have a low resolution and the pixilation compromises the overall look. Also consider how the fonts will read. Larger fonts are easier to read, but don't make the text so large that it overwhelms the audience.

If the copy is from a digital image, be sure it is of a high resolution. Images from the web generally print poorly because they are low resolution images. Save all digital files using the CMYK option for better results. CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) provide truer printing colors for your presentation folders. RGB, which is often the default in image manipulation software, matches the colors of a computer monitor. There are exceptions, however. Some printers now prefer receiving files in RGB (red, green, blue) with ICC profiles attached.

What is being printed and the time frame are some of the variables to consider when weighing offset and digital options. Keep in mind that offset printing is still considered of a higher quality, although digital work continues to improve. Offset is more expensive and more versatile. Digital has a faster turn around.

While one-sided is generally less costly, using two-sided printing may expand the life of a card. For example, if an invitation to an event may include a related image on one side, with a map and key details on the other. If only a portion of the run includes the invitation/map, then the left over cards are not out-of-date and can be re-purposed. Another option is to use color on one side and black-and-white on the other.

Some jobs work better on a matte surface, other are enhanced with glossy stock. The weight of the stock is also a consideration. When firming up the details consider how many are needed and what it would cost to have to do the job over (as compared to ordering more than needed). If the work is needed quickly, will a less expensive option still cover all the bases? Shopping around for prices is also a good idea, since there are many types of services. A colleague who works regularly with a particular company, or several, can also provide leads.

Today, postcard printing continues to thrive because these small cards are versatile and can do so many things. Universities and businesses sometimes use them to acknowledge applications. Galleries and artists find they are wonderful for both marketing and invitations. Postcards are used as political statements as well. Whatever the goal, creating a dynamic product is helped immensely by thinking through the design and goals your postcard printing will serve.