How to Print Postcards

Select paper marked as "heavy cardstock" for your project. You can also use heavyweight photo paper. Postcards must be printed on paper that is more than 0.007 inches thick, according to postal regulations. This is about the thickness of an index card.

Make it the right size. To qualify for the cheaper postcard mailing rate, cards need to be rectangular and at least 3-1/2 by 5 inches in size. They cannot be bigger than 4-1/4 by 6 inches. Your card must have square corners. If your postcard is larger than 4-1/4 by 6 inches, you can still mail it, but it will need a more expensive first-class stamp.

Select an image to print on the front of your card. This is traditionally a photo or drawing, but it can also be text. If your card is for a business mailing, use the front of the card to explain your product. Use the back of the card for the address and stamp. The right-hand side is saved for mailing-address information, with the postage stamp in the upper right-hand corner. Print the mailing address under the stamp in the lower right half of the card. Leave blank at least 5/8 inch of the card below the address, for the post office to print a bar code.

Set up your printer. Go into the printer-properties area and look for the setting for heavy cardstock. Printers vary, but look for "card stock" or "heavy weight" under your paper choices. Place paper in the manual feed tray and print.