Making Post Cards

Making your own postcards is totally easy and quite cool.  And digital is just perfect for this.  You can make them using a photo or use a digital kit. I've been making some to send my DDs at camp - just big enough to dash a little note so they get mail daily but not nearly as big as a letter.

Believe it or not the US Post Office has very few rules about postcards which is amazing to me given all the rules they have about letters.  Basically as long as it meets the proper measurements and it has a stamp on it, you are good to go. There is nothing magic about the postcards you buy - something I didn't know until reading the Photojojo blog.

You can check the Post card regulations but basically it needs to be at least 3.5 " by 4.25" .  The maximum size is 5"x6" .  There is a thickness minimum and maximum too but I can't measure that small.  LOL My local post office said it had to be card stock rather than plain paper.  And it cannot be creased or folded over.  They also said the address needs to be on the right hand side but the USPS site doesn't mention that.

And, of course, the best part is that it is only 24 cents to mail them!  So they are great for notes, invitations, save the date notes (you know for like a wedding or big event) and I'm sure you can think of more uses.

The easiest thing is to take a 4x6 photo, turn it over and just draw the usual postcard markings on the back.  Really - that's all you need to do!   Remember you can't use a 3x5 photo since it is under the minimum measurements but 4x6 works well.  I sent DD at photo-postcard of the dog at camp which she loved!  Think how easy this would be for kids photos - of course, they will get a bit scratched up but it would be lots of fun for grandma! 

Here are a few I made for Teen

Credit: Petals and Paisley by Jan Hosford: font is Beyond Wonderland

Credit: Soul Search by Carrie Stephens; font is Jenkins v 2.0

To make postcards first click on the Collage button and then select New Collage. Now click on Multi-photo Collage (Scrapbook page).  Click on Custom Page Size and type in the dimensions.  I used 4x6 for mine which is a good size you you can have enough space to write something but don't have to write a lot.  LOL

Credit: Burst of Color by Kim Hill; Motivational Word Magnets by Kim Hill

The next steps are just like any scrapbook LO - choose the background and add embellishments and text.  One you have your post card done, save it as both a collage (so you can edit it later) and as a jpeg (for printing).  If you haven't done this before you might want to read the Saving Your Layout tutorial

At 4x6 inches you can print more than one postcard at a time.  And if you do 3x5 you can print even more at once.  Click on the Print button in the upper left pane.  Now click on the cards you want to print and click Next. You can just leave the default settings the way they are in the next box and click Next.  Now a dialog box marked Print Wizard - Format will appear.  Chose either 3x5 or 4x6 and click Finish.  You will be taken to your printer dialog box so just click on Print.  Viola! 

If you are printing on photo paper or glossy stock, you may want to consider applying a backing to make it stiffer.  That way your post card will not incur the wrath of post office employees by jamming their machines. And it will arrive looking a lot better too.  The folks at The2Buds have some easy to use peel and stick backings which are quite inexpensive at $3.95 for ten.

Credit: Truly Delightful by Carrie Stephens

Two warnings - these are addictive and now I'm afraid you don't have any exuses for not sending a post card!

Comments

[MaryE]

What a great idea! My mind is going crazy with ideas. Your's are beautiful Susan.

[Melissa]

That's such a cool idea!!! Thanks!

[jami {sgtStamper}]

What a wonderful idea!! I'm thinking about diving into the digi-scrap world, and this would be the perfect starting point for me!!
Thanks!
Smiles, Jami

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