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The Inexpensive Postcard
Cards (or postcards) are an inexpensive way to get an immediate message to customers. When cards arrive in the mail, there's the message -- no envelope to open!

You may think that your mailpiece is a "card," because it is a single sheet of paper. But to qualify for mailing at First-Class Mail card rates, a card must be:

Rectangular and...
At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x .007 inch thick
No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x .016 inches thick
If your mailpiece does not meet the dimensions above, then the Postal Service considers it a letter (and charges letter rate postage). With Standard Mail, there is a little more flexibility -- there is no separate (lower) postage rate for cards, so you don't have to worry about your postcard being too big -- because you're paying letter rates anyway. But make sure that your card is no larger than 6-1/8" x 11-1/2" x 1/4" thick. Larger than any of those dimensions and you'll have to pay flat (nonletter) postage rates.

Some mailers want to attach stickers, magnets, or other items to their cards. However, an attachment may disqualify a card for mailing at the First-Class card rate-or even make it nonmailable. The rules about attachments to cards are restrictive, so check with your local mailpiece design analyst (MDA) or one of our staff members here at Fulfillment House, Inc., who can tell you if your mailpiece design will be mailable.

Design Tips
If you're planning to mail a card, First-Class Mail gives you the best value for your postage dollars. There is no lower card rate in Standard Mail.
.007 inches? How do I measure that? As a guide, an index card is thick enough. If in doubt, contact Fulfillment House, Inc. - we can measure the thickness of the stock you intend to use.
Make sure your mailpiece meets the minimum thickness requirement. Thin, flimsy pieces tend to get caught in mail processing equipment. If your mailpiece gets damaged in the equipment, then your message doesn't reach your customers.
What is high? What is long? Length is the side parallel to the address. Height is the side that is perpendicular to the length.

Have you experienced issues in the past and would like to share your success story?
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