As the title suggests, this post will teach you how to design your own postcards for marketing online. The post will cover the basics such as what is a postcard, the different types of designs that you can make, and how you can put it all together. This will help you as you dive into the world of online marketing and design your own postcards to use for marketing.
What is A Postcard?
A postcard is a small, traditional card that you mail to people to let them know that you’ve sent them some mail. They are usually used for marketing purposes and can be quite creative. As you will see in the next section, you don’t need a graphic designer to make beautiful postcards. All you need is a printer, some card stock, and a design program such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign. Creative Market defines a postcard as follows:
A postcard is a quick and simple way to promote your business, brand, or product. Typically, they are printed on heavy paper stock with a matte finish to provide a clean and elegant look. They are usually printed in large quantities so that businesses can send out hundreds of postcards to promote their product or service.
What are the Different Types of Postcards?
There are four basic types of postcards:
- A standard business card with a photograph of the business owner on the front.
- A business card with a photograph of the business on the front.
- A greeting card with a photograph of the recipient on the front.
- A charity card with a photograph of the recipient on the front.
Each of these types of cards has its perks depending on what you are trying to achieve. A standard business card will get you the most “hear” in your area. A business card with a photograph of the business will get you the best chance of being found by people. A greeting card will make your recipient feel appreciated while a charity card will make you feel good about your contribution to a good cause. The last type of card, the postcard, is the simplest and most straightforward of the four and is typically used to make a quick, friendly call to action. The key is to choose the right card for the right purpose so that you can get the most mileage out of it.
How To Design Your Own Postcards For Marketing Online
If you are completely new to the world of design, it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start. There are so many different aspects to consider such as the design of the front, the text on the inside, the type of paper, and the quantity. Let’s examine each of these areas in detail so that you can have a clear idea of what you should be aiming for.
The Design Of The Front
The front of the card is often the most important part because it’s what the recipient is going to see first. It should reflect who you are, what your business is about, and what makes you different from your competitors. It’s a good idea to sketch out a rough layout before you start putting it all together. Once you have the basic design idea, you can move on to the next step which is refining it.
If you are using the standard 4×6 inch card, there are many templates that you can use to get the most out of it. You can find these templates online or in the store. You should choose a design that fits your brand and can be used as a guide for the rest of your cards. If you are designing your own cards, you can make any type of logo as the background with a textured or plain colored border around it. This will give the card a polished look that is ready for the world to see.
The best part about this design option is that you can change the text accordingly. So if you are trying to market a product that cures cancer, you can have “Cancer Therapy” written on the front in place of the logo or you can write “Get Well Soon” to encourage people to get their infirmaries.
The Back
The back is where you’ll put the address information for the card. So it’s important that it’s easy to write and has enough space. You can utilize the back for a number of different purposes. You can write the name of the business, the website, or the email of the organization on it. You can also write the name of the person to whom you are sending the card and the number of the organization that they are associated with. If you are writing the email address on the back, it’s best to write it in such a way that it doesn’t look like an email address with its funny looking symbols.
An alphanumeric password is the best option for storing sensitive information. If you are writing the email address on the back, you should write it in plain text without any symbols in it. This will stop people from guessing the password and accessing your email account without your permission.
The Interior
The interior is where you’ll put the content that is relevant to the card’s purpose. You can put a short bio about the business owner or the organization on the interior. You can also include their phone number, email address, or website in the bio. If you are writing the email address on the interior, you should write it in plain text without any funny looking symbols in it. Keep in mind that the card’s interior will be visible when the recipient holds it up to the light so make sure that the text is easy to read.
If you’ve ever shopped at Staples, you’ll have an idea of what kind of papers you can use for these cards. Typically, they are made of 70% paper and 30% plastic. If possible, you should choose card stock that has a smooth finish so that when the card is folded, the text on the inside doesn’t show through in spots. This will make it easier for people to read what you wrote.
The Size
The size of the card is important because it determines how you fold it. There are several templates that you can use to help you make the right choice. Typically, A4 size cards are best because almost every printer can handle it. If you are designing your own cards, you should go with 8.5×11 inches because that’s the size of a standard letter. This way, you can fit all the relevant information on the card without worrying about the size.
When you’ve finished designing your card, be sure to save the file so that you can use it again when needed. Also, don’t hesitate to print out a couple of samples just to check the text and design. This will give you a general feel for how it looks and how it’ll look when it’s folded. Finally, don’t forget to include the template for the back so that you don’t have to scribble the info down on a piece of paper.
Putting It All Together
So you designed a beautiful card using one of the four previously discussed designs. The next step is to put it all together. Before you start using your printer, you should consider doing a test print just to make sure that the text and design are going to come out the way you want them to.
To do this, take your card stock and lay it on a flat surface. Next, take your computer and open the Photoshop or the Illustrator file that you made for your card. With the paper still in place, trace around the outside of the paper with your cursor to create a cutting edge. Next, go into your printer and print out a test page.
If everything printed out correctly, you’re ready to fold it to create the final product. To do this, simply follow the instructions that came with your printer. This way, you’ll ensure that your card has the right look and that no strange folds or creases appear. When you’re done, you can sign it and send it off to the post office to fulfill your marketing goal.
Include your template for the back so that you don’t have to write the details on a piece of paper.