How to Send a Postcard (Step by Step)

Sending a postcard takes five steps. Here's the whole process, plus the shortcut at the end if you'd rather do it all from your phone.

Step 1: Get a postcard

Buy one from a shop, print a photo as a card, or design one online. Standard size is 4×6 inches; anything up to 4.25" × 6" mails at the postcard rate.

Step 2: Write your message

Your message goes on the left half of the back. Space is limited — a greeting, two or three specific sentences, and a warm sign-off is the classic formula. If you're staring at the blank half unsure what to say, we wrote a whole guide of ideas and examples.

Step 3: Address it

The recipient's name and address go on the right half of the back: name, street address, city, state, ZIP. Keep it in the right half and leave the bottom edge clear for the USPS barcode. Full details and common mistakes are in our addressing guide.

Step 4: Add postage

One $0.65 postcard stamp in the top-right corner for a standard card, or one $0.82 Forever stamp for oversized cards like 6×9. Current rates and the size cutoff are covered in our postage cost guide.

Step 5: Mail it

No envelope needed — postcards mail as-is. Drop it in any blue USPS collection box, hand it to your mail carrier, leave it in your own mailbox with the flag up, or bring it to a post office. Domestic delivery typically takes several days depending on distance.

The from-your-phone version

Every step above can be collapsed into one: design the card online, type a message and an address, and a service prints, stamps, and mails it for you. With Ink Dove that costs $1.79 all-in for a 4×6 — usually less than a store-bought card plus a stamp, with no errands. Here's exactly how it works.