Postcards are letters with warmth — a small way to close the distance between people. A short greeting or a few words of good wishes can mean a lot to both sender and receiver. As a friend, a postcard lets you share little moments from your life; as a business, tucking one in with an order or sending customers a seasonal hello is a thoughtful touch. A heartfelt note is always worth something, whenever it arrives.
Postcard printing looks simple, but before you send a file to print you need to know the size, the layout, and which paper to print on. This article walks you through exactly that — the design points that matter and what to watch for when you choose your stock.
Postcard sizes
Size is the starting point for any print job. Plenty of sizes are on the market, but most people rarely stop to learn what they actually are. The common, all-purpose sizes are below; we've put together a reference chart so the dimensions are easier to picture.
| Paper size | Actual size | Bleed size |
|---|---|---|
| 4R (4 × 6 in) | 100 mm × 148 mm | 106 mm × 154 mm |
| 5R (5 × 7 in) | 127 mm × 178 mm | 133 mm × 184 mm |
| A6 | 148 mm × 105 mm | 154 mm × 111 mm |
| A5 | 210 mm × 148 mm | 216 mm × 154 mm |
For other print sizes, see: The complete guide to print paper sizes and bleed — A and B series plus common print products.
Designing your postcard online
Once your size is set, you can start designing. There are plenty of self-service online platforms these days — Canva, for example. Before you settle on one, check whether it can export to PDF; if it can't, it may not be suitable for print. We recommend Canva not just because it exports PDF, but because it also lets you set up bleed.
For how to set up your file in Canva, see "Design your own cards: create print-ready files with free online tools" — just change the dimensions to the postcard size you need.
Postcard design essentials
The biggest difference between a postcard and other printed matter is that one side is artwork and the other has space to write — and that side follows its own set format. If the back of a postcard doesn't follow that format, it may not be recognised as a postcard. The front, on the other hand, has few restrictions, so you're free to design it however you like.
Hongkong Post postcard rules
At least the right-hand half of the front must be left blank for the recipient's address and any required postal-service instructions, such as "Registered" or "Acknowledgement of Receipt". The stamp goes in the top-right corner of that half.
Choosing your postcard paper
Gloss art card, single-side gloss lamination
There are many print materials out there; the most common is gloss art paper with single-side gloss lamination. Since most postcards are image-led, gloss art paper reproduces vivid pictures beautifully, and the gloss lamination makes the colours pop even more. Gloss art card is also the most economical stock, so it keeps printing costs down.
Linen paper — a card stock with built-in class
Among specialty papers, linen stock is a popular choice. Its surface is covered in a fine cross-hatch weave that gives it a distinctive feel in the hand. Prints aren't as vivid as on gloss art paper, but they're still bright enough — and, importantly, linen paper can be written on. It may not suit photographic images, but for hand-drawn art or illustrations, linen is a great option.
Smooth Conqueror paper
If you want a papery feel without a heavy texture, smooth Conqueror paper is a good pick. With no obvious grain and a smooth surface, ink lays down more easily and you're less likely to get uneven colour. Smooth Conqueror comes in off-white and bright white, so you can match the stock colour to your design.
A note on paper weight
Under Hongkong Post's size and material rules, a private postcard must be made from ordinary card or paper no less than 0.25 mm thick, and it must be rectangular. In paper-weight terms, that means 300 gsm or heavier to meet the standard.
Making your choice
Choose your paper to suit your design. If you're unsure about the finished look or which stock to pick, message us on WhatsApp and we'll give you a solid recommendation. We deliver across Hong Kong and Macau, English is fine, and you can reach us any time at +852 3001 5678.