Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Hello everyone!
I am making a postcard (US). I am trying to figure out the size of the stamp.
And what orientation would be better, vertical or horizontal. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help!!!
Jesus
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
When you say stamp are you referring to a simple rectangle that with text that says "place postage here" or have you been given information for an indicia?
In either case, there's no hard and fast rule. For a 6"x4" post card I'll usually use a frame about .7"x.7" or so.
Bob
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Exactly! Just the rectangle saying "Place postage here".
The postcard is 5"x7".
Thanks Bob!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
FYI, to qualify for First Class postcard rates, the maximum size a postcard can be is 6" x 4.25". This may not be a factor for a small quantity, but for a larger mailing, you may want to reconsider the size.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks Jeffrey!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Per the post office (I had to ask this a while back):
On the "Place postage here" box:
the only rules regarding the size and
design of this information is that it needs to be at least 1/2" x 1/2"
and not larger that 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" and the font has to be large enough
to be able to read with the naked eye.
Phyllis
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Another thing to consider when you're designing a postcard is the "barcode clear zone." That's the part on the addressed side of the card where the post office may want to put a barcode. So you don't want any text or anything there.
Another quote from an email conversation I had with the post office:
"The area along the bottom of the postcard that you are talking about is
the barcode clear zone. We always try to suggest that this area be kept
clear (even when paying full 42 cents postage) because this is the area
that the Postal Service applies a barcode if the mail piece isn't sent
out with an address block barcode. The size of this area is 5/8ths of
an inch top to bottom when measuring from the bottom edge of the mail
piece and 4 3/4 inches right to left when measuring from the right edge
of the mail piece towards the left.
If you are sending the mail piece out with an address block barcode, you
don't necessarily have to leave this area clear, but if for some reason
the barcode that was placed on the mail piece was incorrect, and you did
have printing in this area, the Postal Service would cover up what ever
information was in this location with a white label to enable them to
spray a good barcode on the mail piece. "
Okay, just thought that might be helpful. All the post-office stuff gets complicated.
Phyllis
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks Phyllisj9!
I will consider everything!!!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Forms, Folds and Sizes (2nd Edition): Chapter 11: Postal Standards
shows the "standard" stamp position to be 1" wide, 3/8" from the top right hand corner (top and right margins).
This little book is a useful and good compendium of lots of printing esoterica that I might normally spend hours looking for on the Internet.
Tad
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Hello obfuscaTad!
Thanks for this!! where can I get this book? is that the name? Forms, forms and sizes?
Thanks again!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
http://www.amazon.com/Forms-Folds-Sizes-Second-Designers/dp/1592534619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239737868&sr=8-1
Tad
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I have a client who has a pre-existing art file for a brochure (let's not go there) that had a box saying "Place Stamp Here" on the back center panel. I deleted it during prep. Email him a proof. A minute later the phone rings. "Where's the stamp here box?" I say, "You've lived 50 years and you still don't know where to put the stamp?" Mind you, he acknowledged he's not once ever sent out the brochure as a self-mailer. Either goes into an envelope or in his pocket folder as part of promo packet. After arguing with him for 10 minutes, I hung up the phone wondering, "Why me?"
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Amen.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks for sharing this story! ha ha
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I try in my small way to keep other amused.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thanks to All!
I think that everything is very helpful information!!
I will consider everything for the design!
Thanks again!!
Jesus