Context
Postcards and cards are printed cards used for both marketing and personal communication, including direct mail postcards, greeting cards, invitations, thank-you cards, save-the-date cards, and event cards. Marketing postcards typically measure A6 (105 x 148 mm) or A5 (148 x 210 mm) and are printed on 350 to 400 gsm card stock with gloss or matt lamination. Greeting cards and invitations are commonly produced in square, A6, or A5 formats as folded cards with matching envelopes. The card market spans B2C platforms serving consumers and B2B channels providing direct mail and branded promotional cards for businesses.
Types and Formats
Postcards are single-sheet, unfolded cards printed on both sides, artwork or photography on the front with messaging and address space on the reverse. They are a staple of direct mail campaigns because they require no envelope, reducing both production and postage costs. Greeting cards are folded from a single sheet, creating four panels: front cover, inside left, inside right (the message area), and back. Standard stocks range from 300 to 400 gsm with finishes including gloss, silk, matt lamination, and textured surfaces. Premium options include foil stamping, letterpress, embossing, and die-cut shapes. Invitations often include additional inserts such as RSVP cards, details cards, and belly bands, creating multi-component sets. Envelopes can be color-matched and printed with return addresses or decorative linings for a cohesive presentation.
Web to Print Context
Postcards and cards are among the highest-volume products on consumer-facing web to print platforms. Online design editors with photo upload, text customization, and template galleries make card creation accessible to everyone, regardless of design skills. Platforms like Moonpig, Greetz, and Papier have built substantial businesses around personalized greeting cards, allowing customers to add photos, choose fonts, and write custom messages that are printed individually. For marketing applications, web to print platforms integrate postcard ordering with mailing list management and postal optimization, enabling businesses to run targeted direct mail campaigns from a single interface. Variable data printing personalizes each card with recipient-specific content, increasing engagement rates compared to generic print runs.