I didn't invent these, and I can't remember where I got it from, but it's fairly handy if you're designing a postcard-sized direct mail piece and want to know the United State Post Office regulations for such a piece of mail.

• Minimum Allowable Postcard Size: 3.5 x 5 Inches
If the width is less than 5 inches or the height is less than 3.5 inches the USPS will NOT mail your postcard.

• Maximum Allowable Postcard Size: 4.25 x 6 Inches
If the width is greater than 6 inches or the height is greater than 4.25 inches, the postcard must be mailed as a letter, higher rate and all.

• Minimum Thickness: .007 Inches
Any mail less than the minimum is considered Non-Mailable and the USPS will NOT deliver it.

• Maximum Thickness: .25 inches
Exceeding the maximum puts the mail piece into a different mail class, called a Parcel.

• Intermediate Sizes are Allowable
A 4 x 5.5 inch postcard is mailable at the postcard rate. As long as a mail piece meets the size, thickness, weight and aspect ratio requirements above, it can be mailed as a postcard.

• Minimum Thickness: .007 Inches

• Maximum Thickness: .25 inches
Postcard Address Box Size
The minimum size of the area on a postcard reserved for the address is 1.25 x 3.75 inches. This allows for a three line address (Name, Address, City/State/ZIP) the USPS Endorsement line and the PostNet Barcode. Add 3/16's of an inch for each additional line (Address2, Company)

On a 3.5" x 5" card your left side area can be 1.25" wide
1" is recommended

On a 4.25" x 5.5" card your left side area can be 1.75" wide
1.5" is recommended

On a 4.5" x 6" card your left side area can be 2.25" wide
2" is recommended

View image

digg it!

Add to del.icio.us

Comments

Hi,

This is great info - thanks.

I wanted to make home-made postcards with cardboard. Do you know if the USPS has 'material' regulations?

O

If the material is "rigid," then it incurs a 17 cent non-machinable surcharge. I think this means that it just must be easily bent to fit in PO boxes.

can a flat object that's been laminated and is within the size regulations be sent through the mail as a postcard? Parts of the card would be see through. Would it have to have designated areas for the address, bar code etc.? Thankyou, Stephanie

That is the EXACT info I as looking for when I googled "Size of homemade postcards" I couldn't readily find that info at the USPS even. I found the max, but not the min or thickness. Thank you.

Post a comment