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Standard Postcard Size: The Pros and Cons of Using 4x6 Postcards

minapalencia by minapalencia
In the marketing world, postcards are considered as among the inexpensive tools of sending a message directly to your target audience. These are just perfect if you need people to immediately see your message since there are no envelopes (these are also called self-mailers). Also, different sizes are available so you can choose the right one for your needs. But the most common is the 4x6"; a standard postcard size.
postcardThe 4x6" postcard size is among the most commonly used in marketing campaigns; it is easy to design, print and mail a card of this size. The pros and cons of using a 4x6" card are listed below:

The Pros

Easy to Design. Since the card is just a small one, it would be easy to think of a good design to fill up the space on the front panel. A good photograph that represents your business, together with your logo and tagline, would make a great print. There are also lots of free templates available on the internet that you can download for free. Just customize one to include your logo, tagline, and message.

Affordable to Print. Most printing companies online have price calculator where you can check how much printing 4x6" cards would cost. Go ahead and see how affordable it is to print this standard size; about $0.10 per piece for printing 500 cards.

Can be mailed at postcard rate. Mailing 4x6" cards will only cost you about $0.23 per piece at First Class Mailing. This size is mailed at postcard rate; which is cheaper than other postage rates. Check the website of USPS (United States Postal Service) and you will find out that they have a strict rule on the dimensions of a mailable postcards. According to the website, any size exceeding 4.25x6" and less than 3.5x5" will be charged with letter-size postage; which cost more.

The Cons

Limited space for design. One disadvantage of printing in this size is that you have a limited space for design. This means that you can't use more photos and images. Your text is also limited; thus, you have to make sure that your headline or tagline are enough to pique the interest of your recipients.

Can end up in the trash bins. With the limitations that you have in designing, it would be hard to create impressive postcards. And if your competitors are sending oversized and really good prints, yours could go unnoticed or tossed in the bins along with junk mails.

These are the things that you need to think about when choosing your postcard size; specifically a 4x6" one. But if you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantage, then go on and print 4x6" postcards.

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  • Goodhairsaloncards Mar 10, 2012 @ 10:27 pm | delete
    4x6 is my favorite size. I don't care for the oversize postcards. I've learned how to use less is more to impress. thanks for the lens. Cheers
  • CollisionBlast Sep 4, 2011 @ 7:51 pm | delete
    GreaT LENS!
  • 8Dima9 Jul 26, 2011 @ 5:18 pm | delete
    Good lens.

    Reduced Printing
    http://www.reducedprinting.com/
  • whoisbid May 31, 2011 @ 9:44 pm | delete
    I could talk all day about these things and like you subject
  • JessicaMcCarty May 31, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
    Great! Thanks for sharing!
  • Shirts-And-Travel Mar 4, 2011 @ 7:53 pm | delete
    Hi Mina. Thanks for the info. Always good to know the pros and cons of postcard marketing.
  • lisadh Feb 26, 2011 @ 9:53 pm | delete
    Helpful info for anyone considering postcards as an advertising medium.
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This UpMarket page written by

minapalencia

Hi! I'm Mina. I love writing and hopes that someday I can make heaps of lenses that will be helpful to anybody who check them out.

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