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Technical and Customization Options for Standard Postcards
Specification	Available Options
Size	3.5" x 8.5", 4.25" x 5.5", 4" x 6", 4.25" x 6", 4" x 9", 5" x 7", 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 8", 6" x 9", 6" x 11"
Quantity	25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 12500, 15000, 17500, 20000, 25000, 30000, 35000, 40000, 45000, 50000, 60000, 70000, 80000, 90000, 100000, 200000, 250000, 500000
Paper Type	10 pt Cardstock, 14 pt Cardstock Uncoated, 14 pt Cardstock Uncoated Back, 14 pt Cardstock, 16 pt Cardstock, 17 pt Cardstock Uncoated
Coating	UV Gloss Front, UV Gloss Both Sides, Matte Front, Matte Both Sides
Printed Side	Full Color Front, Blank Back, Full Color Both Sides
Turnaround	5 Business Days, Next Business Day, Same Day

Compliance & Technical Standards for Standard Postcards

Material & Process Compliance

Substrate: Printed on heavy cardstock ranging from 14 pt (310 gsm) to 16 pt (350 gsm) meeting ISO 536 and ISO 5629 stiffness standards for postal durability.
Printing Method: Full-color CMYK offset or digital process, calibrated to ISO 12647-2 color reproduction. All inks are REACH-compliant and contain no VOCs above EU Directive 1999/13/EC limits.
Coating & Finish: Options include uncoated, gloss, matte, or UV high-gloss. UV coatings tested to ASTM D3363 for surface hardness and ASTM D4060 for abrasion resistance.
Compliance: Paper mills and print facilities certified under FSC Chain of Custody and ISO 14001 environmental management standards.
Mailing Durability: Stocks and coatings meet USPS Publication 25 physical mail handling requirements and ASTM D685 conditioning standards.

Dimensional & Build Standards

Attribute	Nominal	Tolerance	Notes
Common Sizes	4″×6″, 5″×7″, 6″×9″, 6″×11″	±1 mm	Meets USPS First-Class mail standards
Paper Weight	310–350 gsm	±5 %	Single-ply, double-sided printable cardstock
Corner Radius	3 mm or 6 mm	±0.25 mm	Optional round corners for direct-mail optimization
Print Resolution	300 dpi	±5 %	Continuous-tone offset or high-definition digital

Environmental & Safety Disclosures

Material Origin: All paper stocks are ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) and sourced from FSC-certified forests.
Ink Safety: Vegetable-based inks with ≤5 % VOC content, compliant with ASTM D3960 volatile emission standards.
Recyclability: 100 % curbside recyclable. UV-coated and laminated finishes recyclable where facilities exist.
Storage Conditions: Maintain 20–25 °C, 45–55 % RH to prevent curl and delamination in transit.

Quality Assurance & Color Management

Color Calibration: Presses maintained under GRACoL G7 and ISO 12647-2 control; proofs matched within ΔE2000 < 2.5.
Trim Accuracy: Guillotine and die-cut tolerances held within ±0.5 mm to maintain mail specification compliance.
Surface Inspection: 100 % visual QC for registration, streaks, and coating uniformity before packing.
Batch Traceability: Each run logged with substrate source, press ID, and ink batch for audit tracking.

File Preparation Alignment

Bleed: 3 mm (0.125″) beyond trim; safe zone 3 mm inside edge.
Resolution: 300 dpi minimum at 100 % scale.
Color Mode: CMYK; embed ICC profile and flatten transparencies.
Address Area: For mailers, reserve a 1.5″×1″ blank area (lower right back) per USPS barcode clear zone.
Fonts: Convert text to outlines; minimum font size 6 pt for legibility.

Legal & Marking

Postcards are printed solely under client ownership of supplied artwork. No branding, production marks, or registration guides appear on the finished product. All specifications conform to current USPS automation-compatible standards for postcard mailings.

Standard Postcards FAQs

What postcard sizes qualify for USPS “postcard” postage vs letter/flat rates?

Sizes up to 4.25" x 6" typically qualify for postcard postage. Larger formats we offer (e.g., 4" x 9", 5" x 7", 6" x 8", 6" x 9", 6" x 11", 3.5" x 8.5", 5.5" x 8.5", 4.25" x 5.5") mail at letter or flat rates. Always confirm current USPS size/thickness rules for your chosen stock.

Which paper should I pick if I need to write or inkjet address on the back?

Choose an uncoated writing surface: 14 pt Uncoated, 17 pt Uncoated, or 14 pt Uncoated Back (C1S: coated front, uncoated back). Avoid UV Gloss on the side you plan to write or inkjet print on, markers may work, but ballpoints/inkjet can smudge.

What’s the practical difference between UV Gloss and Matte coatings on postcards?

UV Gloss Front/Both Sides adds a high-shine, scuff‑resistant varnish that makes colors pop but isn’t very writable. Matte Front/Both Sides reduces glare, gives a smooth, premium feel, and is easier to write on than UV (though fully uncoated is best for handwriting and addressing).

Are your postcard stocks thick enough for mailing, and do they meet USPS thickness rules?

Yes, 10 pt, 14 pt, and 16 pt cardstocks are commonly within USPS thickness ranges for postcards/letters. 17 pt is extra-rigid; it’s great for durability but may mail at higher (letter/flat) rates depending on USPS thickness limits. Verify with USPS for your exact size/stock.

Can you print full color on both sides, and will heavy ink coverage cause issues?

Yes, choose Full Color Both Sides (4/4) or Full Color Front, Blank Back (4/0). We print in CMYK full color. Heavy coverage is fine on coated stocks (14 pt/16 pt). For uncoated backs, use sensible ink coverage to minimize rub and allow addressing areas to stay clean.

How fast can you produce standard postcards, and what affects turnaround?

Turnarounds offered: Same Day, Next Business Day, or 5 Business Days. Actual speed depends on quantity (25 to 500,000+), size, stock/coating, and when print‑ready files are approved. Rush options may be limited for larger runs or specialty combinations.