Print Marketing Tips

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About 16pt Postcards

 

16pt postcards are printed on premium 16pt cardstock - noticeably thicker and more rigid than standard postcard stock. The extra weight creates an immediate physical impression the moment a recipient picks up the card from a mailbox or display rack. Beyond the heavier stock, this is our most flexible postcard product: nearly 40 sizes, a full range of coatings from matte to Spot UV, rounded-corner shape options, and foil stamping for a metallic, reflective finish that stands out in any mail stack.

Preferred for real estate marketing, hospitality promotions, retail campaigns, upscale events, and any brand that competes on quality and wants their direct mail to feel as premium as their product or service. Most sizes meet USPS mailing standards for First Class and Standard postcard rates.

Product Specifications

 
Available Sizes 39 sizes from 2" x 4" up to 6.5" x 12" - see full list below
Shape Rectangle or Rounded 4 Corners
Paper Stock 16pt C2S Cardstock - premium weight
Printing Full color, single or double-sided, or with foil stamping
Coating 7 options - see below
Packaging Loose, bundled, or shrink-wrapped
Turnaround 3-5 Business Days - Rush available
Shipping Nationwide - all 50 states

File Setup Requirements

 
4" x 6" with Bleed 4.25" x 6.25"
5" x 7" with Bleed 5.25" x 7.25"
6" x 9" with Bleed 6.25" x 9.25"
6" x 11" with Bleed 6.25" x 11.25"
Bleed 0.125" on all four sides
Foil Artwork Provide foil areas as a separate spot-color layer
Resolution 300 DPI minimum
Color Mode CMYK (not RGB)

All Available Sizes

 

16pt Postcards can be ordered in nearly 40 sizes, grouped below by category. Every size is available in Rectangle or Rounded 4 Corners.

Compact (under 4") 2" x 4", 2" x 6", 2.5" x 8.5", 2.75" x 4.25", 3" x 3", 3" x 4", 3" x 5", 3.5" x 3.5", 3.5" x 5", 3.5" x 5.5", 3.5" x 8.5", 3.667" x 8.5"
Standard (4" - 5.5") 4" x 4", 4" x 5", 4" x 6", 4" x 8.5", 4" x 9", 4" x 12", 4.25" x 5.5", 4.25" x 6", 4.25" x 9", 4.25" x 11", 4.5" x 12", 4.75" x 4.75", 5" x 5", 5" x 7", 5" x 8", 5.5" x 8.5"
Large (6" and up) 6" x 8", 6" x 8.5", 6" x 9", 6" x 11", 6.25" x 9", 6.25" x 11", 6.5" x 9", 6.5" x 11", 6.5" x 12", 7" x 8.5", 7.5" x 8.5"
Most Popular 4" x 6" (lowest postage rate), 6" x 9" (best-selling marketing size), 6" x 11" (maximum impact)

Coating & Finishing Options

 

Choose from seven coating options to match your design and budget, plus foil stamping for a premium metallic accent.

Most Popular

UV on 4-Color Side

High-gloss protective coating on the printed side. Vibrant color and sharp images - the default choice for most campaigns.

Refined

Matte

Smooth, non-reflective finish with a sophisticated feel. Preferred for real estate and professional services.

Accent

Spot UV

High-gloss coating applied only to selected design elements for a striking contrast against a matte background.

Standard

Aqueous / Satin Aqueous

Water-based coating for everyday protection and a subtle sheen (Aqueous) or soft satin finish (Satin Aqueous).

One-Sided

UV Coating Front Only

Glossy protection on the front only, useful when the back needs to stay writable or matte for mailing.

Uncoated

No Coating

A natural, uncoated surface with no sheen - the most writable option for handwritten notes on the back.

Foil Stamping: Add a metallic foil accent to your design with front foil, back foil, or foil on both sides, in combination with full-color printing (available as 4/5, 5/0, 5/1, 5/4, and 5/5 print/foil combinations). Foil catches the light and immediately signals a premium piece - popular for real estate luxury listings, upscale event invitations, and VIP retail mailers.

Packaging & Fulfillment

 

If you are handing cards off to a mail house, distributing them across locations, or storing extra inventory, we can package your order to make handling easier.

No Bundling

Cards ship loose, ready for immediate use or your own sorting process.

Bundles of 50

Cards banded in groups of 50 - useful for distributing even quantities across locations or team members.

Bundles of 100

Cards banded in groups of 100 for larger distribution runs.

Shrink Wrapping

Available in packs of 50 or 100 for extra protection during storage or shipping to a mail house.

Common Uses for 16pt Postcards

 
Real Estate Marketing

Real Estate Marketing

Just listed, just sold, and open house mailers where premium presentation reflects your brand

Hospitality and Tourism

Hospitality & Tourism

Hotel promotions, restaurant specials, and travel destination mailers requiring a premium feel

Retail Promotions

Retail Promotions

Product launches, seasonal sales, and VIP customer mailers for brands that lead on quality

Event Invitations

Event Invitations

Grand openings, fundraising galas, and upscale events that need a premium mailer, often finished with foil

How to Order

 
1

Select the Product

Choose your size, shape, printed sides, coating (or foil), and packaging option. Add to your cart and select from multiple shipping options.

2

Upload Your Artwork

Submit a print-ready PDF at 300 DPI in CMYK. Include 0.125" bleed on all sides. If adding foil, provide the foil area as a separate spot-color layer.

3

PDF Proof

If you need one, we can email you a PDF proof for your review, verifying layout, margins, coating, and color before going to press.

4

We Print & Ship

Your postcards are printed, coated (or foiled), cut, packaged, and shipped to your door in 3-5 business days. Rush production available for tight timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions - 16pt Postcards

What makes 16pt postcards better than standard postcards?

The difference is in the weight and feel. Standard postcards are typically printed on lighter cardstock. Our 16pt postcards use a noticeably thicker, heavier cardstock that creates a stronger tactile impression the moment someone picks it up. In a direct mail stack, a heavier card stands out and feels more substantial - which translates directly to higher perceived quality and a better first impression for your brand.

What is foil stamping and how do I order it?

Foil stamping applies a thin layer of metallic foil to your design for a reflective, eye-catching accent that standard ink cannot achieve. Select a foil print combination when ordering - front foil only, back foil only, or foil on both sides, each paired with full-color printing. When submitting your file, provide the foil area as a separate spot-color layer so our pre-press team can position it correctly. Foil is popular for luxury real estate listings, upscale event invitations, and VIP retail mailers where a premium tactile and visual impression matters.

What coating options are available?

Seven coating options are available: UV on 4-Color Side (our most popular, high-gloss and vibrant), Matte (refined, non-reflective), Spot UV (glossy accents on selected design elements over a matte base), Aqueous and Satin Aqueous (water-based everyday protection), UV Coating Front Only (glossy front, natural back), and No Coating (fully uncoated, most writable).

How many sizes are available?

16pt Postcards come in nearly 40 sizes, from compact 2" x 4" cards up to large 6.5" x 12" formats, in both Rectangle and Rounded 4 Corners shapes. The most popular sizes for direct mail are 4" x 6" (lowest postage rate), 6" x 9" (our best-selling marketing size), and 6" x 11" (maximum visual impact). Contact us if you need help choosing the right size for your postage budget and design.

Can I get my postcards bundled or shrink-wrapped?

Yes. In addition to standard loose packaging, you can request bundles of 50 or 100 cards, or shrink-wrapped packs of 50 or 100. This is useful if you are handing cards off to a mail house, distributing them across multiple locations, or storing extra inventory for later use.

Which postcard size is best for direct mail?

The 6" x 9" is the most popular direct mail postcard size - it qualifies for standard postcard postage rates, stands out well in a mailbox, and gives you plenty of design space. The 4" x 6" qualifies for the lowest postcard postage rate and is ideal for high-volume campaigns. The 6" x 11" delivers maximum visual impact but uses standard letter postage. Your choice should balance design needs, mailing budget, and campaign volume.

Do 16pt postcards qualify for USPS postcard postage rates?

Most of our standard sizes meet USPS thickness and size requirements for mailing, and sizes like 4" x 6" and 6" x 9" typically qualify for postcard postage rates. Larger formats like 6" x 11" use standard letter postage. Contact us or your local post office to confirm current rates and mailability for your chosen size before planning a large mailing campaign.

How do I set up the back of a mailing postcard?

For a USPS-mailable postcard, the back should have a vertical dividing line down the center. The right half is for the recipient address and postage (top right). The left half is your marketing space - message, offer, or imagery. Include a return address in the upper left. Keep all content at least 0.125" from trim edges and ensure the address area is clear of background imagery that could interfere with postal barcode printing.

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Questions About Your 16pt Postcard Order?

Our team can help with size, coating, foil stamping, packaging, and turnaround options.

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