Postcard Printing

Postcards work because they're impossible to ignore. No envelope, no subject line. The message is right there. But a postcard that looks cheap or arrives damaged from mail handling doesn't do the job it was printed for. Quality matters, and so does preparation.

A-Link Printing produces postcards in-house at our Bridgeville facility, serving businesses and organizations throughout the Pittsburgh region. We handle design, printing, and mailing, so you're not coordinating between vendors to get a piece in the mail.

Postcard Sizes

Most of our clients choose 6x9" for better visibility in the mailbox. However, we offer a full range of options:

4" x 6": The most economical option. Qualifies for First-Class postcard rates and works well for simple, high-volume campaigns.

5" x 7", 5½" x 8½", or 6" x 9": These formats offer more visual space without a significant postage jump.

6" x 11" and larger: Oversized formats stand out in the mailbox and meet the minimum size requirements for EDDM saturation mailings.

Which is right for you? There is no one size fits all. It depends on your goals, your message, and your budget. Talk to one of our mailing experts before starting your design work. Let's create something that's just the right fit.

Paper and Coating

Like any direct mail piece, postcards can be printed on a variety of stocks with your choice of coatings.

Most direct mail postcards run on 100-pt. cover stock, which is thick enough to survive USPS handling without feeling flimsy. For a heavier, more premium feel, 16 pt. is a popular upgrade. Lighter stocks (10 pt. or 12 pt.) are occasionally used for high-volume campaigns where cost-per-piece is the priority, though they feel noticeably thinner in the hand.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best uses for postcards?

Postcards are a strong format when you want to be certain that your message reaches every single household in your list. Examples include restaurants, retailers, and service businesses announcing promotions or grand openings; home services (HVAC, roofing, landscaping, plumbing) reaching homeowners by neighborhood; healthcare and dental practices sending appointment reminders or reactivation offers; real estate agents farming specific Pittsburgh neighborhoods or carrier routes; window, awning, and decking companies; landscaping and hardscaping; nonprofits promoting fundraising campaigns, events, and membership drives; and B2B, financial planning, and other professional services firms maintaining consistent outreach to prospects and clients.

What file format should I submit?

PDF is preferred, print-ready at 300 DPI in CMYK with bleed included. If you're not sure your file is print-ready, send it our way and we'll review it before production begins.

Can A-Link design my postcard?

Yes. Unlike most printers, who farm out design work to a third party, our designer works in-house. This means faster service, more flexibility, and even the opportunity to speak one-on-one if needed. Need personalized or versioned mailings? Our designer is an expert in those, too. No matter your project, we can develop your concept, adapt existing brand assets, or prepare a print-ready layout based on your specs.

Do you offer Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM)?

Yes. EDDM is one of our most popular mailing services. It lets you reach every address along selected USPS carrier routes (no mailing list required) at postage rates significantly lower than standard marketing mail. It's a strong fit for any business where virtually anyone in a neighborhood can be a customer. A-Link handles the printing, USPS preparation, and postal drop in-house.

What's the difference between EDDM and saturation mailings?

While many clients come to us for our EDDM expertise, we actually do more saturation mailings because of their flexibility. Saturation mailings get the same low postage rates as EDDM, but give you more control over who receives the piece. Because saturation mailings use an actual list, you can filter carrier routes, eliminating apartment buildings, lower-income households, or age ranges that don't fit your customer profile.

Can my postcards be personalized?

Yes. Personalized postcards (where each piece includes the recipient's name, a unique offer, or other variable content) consistently outperform generic mailings in response rate. A-Link produces personalized postcard campaigns using data-driven printing. At its simplest, that means a name and address on every piece. At a more sophisticated level, it means messaging or imagery that changes based on customer data. We accept CSV files and review your data before the job runs to catch formatting issues before they become problems on press.

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