Category: Postcards

LetterStream offers both low-cost black and white postcards and full-color full-bleed Pro Postcards

How to Send Business Postcards Online in Minutes

Can you really send postcards from your computer without printing or visiting the Post Office?

Yes. Businesses today can send postcards online using a print and mail service, allowing them to upload designs, choose recipients, and send physical postcards through the United States Postal Service (USPS) in minutes.

Postcards may seem simple, but they remain one of the most effective ways to communicate with customers, residents, and clients. They’re easy to read, hard to ignore, and perfect for reminders, promotions, and quick thank-you messages.

The challenge for many organizations isn’t deciding to send postcards. It’s the logistics of printing them, addressing them, adding postage, and coordinating the mailing process.

Fortunately, sending postcards no longer requires stacks of cardstock, label printers, or trips to the post office. Businesses can now send postcards online directly from their computers.

Why Postcards Still Work in a Digital World

In a world full of emails, notifications, and digital ads, postcards offer something different: visibility.

Unlike an email that may sit unread in an inbox, a postcard arrives physically in someone’s mailbox. There’s no envelope to open and no login required to view it. The message is immediately visible.

This makes postcards especially useful for short, clear communications such as:

  • Appointment reminders
  • Payment reminders
  • Event announcements
  • Limited-time promotions
  • Thank-you notes
  • Customer follow-ups

Many businesses find that postcards work particularly well because they feel personal while still being quick to read.

For organizations that regularly communicate with customers, residents, or patients, the ability to send postcards online makes the process far easier.

Common Ways Businesses Use Postcards

Postcards are surprisingly versatile across industries. Because they are concise and direct, they’re ideal for messages that don’t require long explanations.

  • Healthcare offices often send appointment reminders or wellness check notices using postcards.
  • Property management companies and HOAs may use postcards to remind residents about meetings, inspections, or community events.
  • Retail businesses frequently send promotional postcards announcing sales or seasonal offers.
  • Service-based companies may use postcards to thank customers for their business or encourage repeat visits.

In each of these cases, the message is simple and timely. The postcard acts as a quick nudge that encourages the recipient to take action.

When businesses use a print-to-mail service to send mail online, they can distribute these reminders quickly without managing the printing process themselves.

The Traditional Postcard Mailing Process

Before online mailing tools became common, sending postcards required several manual steps.

First, postcards needed to be designed and printed. This often meant ordering them in bulk from a print shop or printing them internally.

Next came addressing. Businesses had to apply labels or print addresses directly onto the cards.

Then postage had to be applied, either with stamps or postage meters.

Finally, the entire batch had to be taken to the post office.

For organizations sending dozens or hundreds of postcards, this process could take hours.

Today, however, most of those steps can be handled digitally.

How to Send Postcards from Your Computer with LetterStream

With LetterStream’s workflow, businesses can send postcards from their computer without managing printing, addressing, or postage themselves.

The process is designed to be simple and fast.

First, you choose your size postcard. LetterStream offers two options: Express Postcard and Pro Postcard.

Next, upload your recipient list. Most businesses already store customer or contact information in spreadsheets or CRM systems, so uploading an Excel or CSV file usually takes only a few seconds.

After upload your postcard design into The Stream. This can be a front-and-back postcard layout exported as a PDF from your design software or marketing platform.

Once the design and recipient list are loaded, you review your proofs, confirm the mailing details, and submit the job.

From there, LetterStream handles the rest. The postcards are printed, prepared for mailing, and entered into the United States Postal Service (USPS) mail stream.

For the business sending them, what once required coordinating printing, labels, stamps, and a Post Office run can now be completed in just a few minutes directly from a computer.

Why Businesses Use Postcards to Stay Connected with Customers

Communication doesn’t always need to be complicated to be effective.

Sometimes the most powerful message is a short reminder, a quick promotion, or a simple thank-you.

Postcards have remained popular for decades because they deliver that kind of message clearly and directly.

Today, businesses don’t need to manage the printing, addressing, or postage themselves. With the right tools, they can send postcards online in minutes and focus on building stronger connections with their customers.

To learn more about LetterStream or to sign up for a free account, click here.

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services, allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations the time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

Easily Send Postcards Online and Why They Work

You know what’s wild? Postcards still work.

Even in a world of cluttered inboxes, push notifications constantly going off, Slack pings, and at least one text thread you forgot to answer last week—an old-fashioned postcard still finds a way to be seen. Touched. Read. Maybe even pinned to the fridge.

We send a lot of mail here, and let me tell you: business postcards punch way above their weight.

This is especially true when you’re not just sending them to say hi—you’re using them to remind, alert, warn, or get someone’s attention fast, especially from a business perspective.

Let’s break this down.

Why send postcards in the first place?

Because they skip the envelope. That’s it. That’s the post.
(Just kidding—but also kind of not.)

Okay, here it is. When someone pulls a postcard out of their mailbox, your message is right there. No extra steps, no tearing it open, no wondering if it’s junk. Whether it’s a reminder for an HOA meeting, a past-due notice, or a friendly “Hey, don’t forget,” a postcard is the fastest way to get seen.

And bonus: they’re usually cheaper than full letters, which adds up if you’re sending hundreds (or thousands).

Ok, so what’s the catch?

Honestly? The only catch used to be that you had to design them, print them, cut them, stamp them, and then physically go to the Post Office to send them. Or you had to pay to have someone else do the first part to then have them send the postcards to you, and then again, you still have to go to the Post Office to send them off.

But we built not one but two postcard options that solve all that—so you can literally upload a file, pick your postcard, and let us do the heavy lifting. (Like, within 24–48 hours kind of fast.)

What are the two postcard options?

Glad you asked. They’ve got very official names: Express and PRO.
Here’s the simplest way to think about them:

📨 Express Postcard

Express postcards by LetterStream
  • Size: 4.25″ x 5.5″
  • Image on one side
  • Black-and-white or color
  • Printed on 80# white paper
  • Quarter-inch white margin
  • Simple, fast, gets the job done
  • Great for reminders, updates, or “hey, you missed a payment” types of messages
  • Mailed First-Class

Think of this one as your reliable little workhorse. No fuss, just results.

Learn more about Express Postcards here: High Quality Postcards | Full Bleed Color | Easy To Use – LetterStream

📣 PRO Postcard

Pro Postcards by LetterStream
  • Size: 5.5″ x 8.5″
  • Full-color, full-bleed on both sides
  • Bigger, bolder, and much more “look at me”
  • Printed on 120# premium paper
  • Best for announcements, events, or anything visual you want to pop
  • Mailed First-Class

This one? This is your show pony. It’s got stage presence.

Learn more about Pro Postcards here: High Quality Postcards | Full Bleed Color | Easy To Use – LetterStream

But how hard is it to actually send one?

Here’s the magic:
It takes less time than it does to complain about your postage meter.

You just:

  1. Upload your PDF (front/back or just one side)
  2. Upload your addresses
  3. Pick Express or PRO
  4. Hit send

That’s it. No minimums. No templates to wrestle with. No Post Office runs. We’ll even show you a real-time proof online before you approve it.

Let LetterStream send your postcards for you

You’ve got enough to do. If you need to get a clear, important message in front of someone—fast—skip the envelope and go with a postcard. And even better, skip doing it all yourself!

If you’ve got a message to send, we’ve got a postcard for it. Click here to create a free account and start sending your postcards instantly.

(And yes, you really can send one right now. We’re ready when you are.)

LetterStream offers bulk printing and mailing services, allowing companies to send physical mail online. Whether it’s online Certified Mail, First-Class Mail, FedEx 2Day, or postcards, we give both small businesses and large corporations that time and freedom back to work on tasks that better serve the company. If you’re interested in creating a free account, you can do so here.

LetterStream small logo

Proposed USPS Price Updates For July, 2023

proposed_usps_postage_rate_increase_july_2023The USPS (United States Postal Service) has submitted new price requests to the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and the new rates will go into effect on July 9th, 2023.  These rates are still under review, but the USPS typically gets what they ask for.

In similar fashion to the last postage increase, the price of a first-class stamp will be raised by three cents again.  Below are the other notable changes that will have an impact on some of the other products LetterStream has to offer: 

 

  • First Class Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $.63 up to $.66 cents
  • First Class Flats are going up, from $1.26 to $1.35
  • Certified Mail is going up, from $4.15 to $4.35
  • Certified ERR is going up, from $2.10 to $2.20
  • International Letters (1 oz.) are going up, from $1.45 up to $1.50
  • Domestic Postcards are going from $.48 up, to $.51
  • International Postcards are going from $1.45 up, to $1.50
  • Extra Ounces staying at $.24
  • Registered Mail is going up, from $24.35 to $25.90

If you’re looking for an electronic way to send your statements, we provide an email delivery service (eDoc Delivery), which allows you to send your documents via email directly through your LetterStream account.  This can be done in place of real mail or in addition to your real mail.  Click here for more information. 

For more information regarding this price increase, visit the USPS website or download the complete list of July 2023 USPS rate changes. 

Visit our website for more information about LetterStream and how to send your mail online without ever touching a piece of paper.

Pro tip:  if you want to get the old pricing but don’t want your mailing to go out before July 10th, you can always use our schedule job option to schedule your job to be mailed on a future date!

20% off Orange Paper and Postcards!

October Promotion

No tricks here, we are giving you a treat this Halloween season.
For the month of October, we will be offering 20% off all Orange 8 ½ X 11 paper and Orange Express Postcards.
You have a business to run and customers to keep happy, so we want to help you! For your festive holiday letters and notes look no further than LetterStream. For your fast mailing and printing needs, we’ll get the job done. Don’t wait until it’s too late and all the candy is gone, let us help you this Halloween season.

Last Minute Christmas Postcards

LetterStream Christmas postcard

Running a little behind this Holiday? Aren’t we all. But here’s a way to get your Christmas greetings out the door quickly.

Granted, we are known for our industrial grade automated mailing solutions, but one of our products makes sending fun, full-color postcards a breeze.

All you need is a picture and the addresses of those you want to send the postcard to. Wow, this sure is going to be a short blog post.

It’s funny because you could probably create your Christmas postcards in less time than it took me to write this short little post.

***

Want more info? Our postcards are printed in full-color, full-bleed (printing all the way to the edge of the postcard/no white margins). The postcard is 5 1/2″ x 8 5/8″ printed on heavy card stock paper.

Nearly any size image will work as our cropping tool will help you fit the photo to our postcard. If the image is too small, we will give you a warning, but most pictures from today’s modern smartphones should work just fine.

There’s room for another image on the address side of the postcard as well, or you could leave a white space if you aren’t feeling creative or are pressed for time. On the other hand, you can type out some well wishes and save them as a .jpg file. You might even want to put a colorful, festive background behind your holiday greeting to add more color to your message.

I recommend making the address-side image roughly square as that is the area available to you. Again, our cropping tool will help you crop the image so that it fits the message area.

I guess I should talk briefly about addressing your postcards. You can enter the addresses one at a time into your private online address book (which will make sending next year’s greetings even faster), or you could upload a .csv file to get all your addresses loaded in a snap.

Once your job is complete, we take your postcards to the Post Office and mail them via USPS First-Class mail. There’s nothing else you need to do!

Ok, we’ve taken enough of your precious holiday time. Get started, find that great holiday photo and your mailing list, and get those postcards in the mail.

***For the month of December, all postcards created on our website before noon Arizona time (MST) will mail that same day.

See LetterStream At The Arizona Chapter CAI Trade Show

cai-az-logo-109x110-v2

Meet with the LetterStream team at the CAI trade show and learn great new ways to create and send mail, including: HOA violation letters, statements, postcards, invoices, collection notices, intent to lien letters, certified mail, annual meeting notices, newsletters, new homeowner packets and even electronic documents.

LetterStream staff will be available to answer questions about outsourcing your mailing projects and streamlining your outbound mail operations.

New products featured at the show include eDocuments, PRO Postcards and an Android app for creating full color, first-class postcards (see newsletter). Rumor has it that the mysterious Letterman, blog writer extraordinaire, may even be present.

The expo is this Friday, April 12, 2013 from 11:30am to 3:30pm at Rawhide, and will be well attended by property management companies and community managers. Rawhide is located in Chandler, Arizona (5700 West North Loop Rd). To learn more about the Arizona Chapter of CAI, visit their website at www.cai-az.org. To learn more about LetterStream, visit our website at www.LetterStream.com.

Always Learning…

Our customers are always surprising us with new and inventive ways to use our products.

Here are a couple great ideas:

  1. Save money with postcards. Some of our property management customers have found that they can save a fair bit of money by using postcards to present first violation notifications.
  2. Simple thank you’s go a long way. Those same property management customers use postcards to send simple “Thank You” notes to those residents that are doing a great job keeping their yards spic-and-span. A great, inexpensive way to let residents know that they are appreciated.

Give it a try!…

 

Create and send postcards with LetterStream