Designing your Marketing Postcard

by Carla Gaspar

Due to the limited space on a postcard, you have to think very well on what to include on your postcards design. The layout of your design as well as the copy that you would be placing on your ad would play a very significant part on its effectiveness.

On creating the layout for your postcards design, make it simple so as not to confuse your readers on what you are trying to convey. Do not waste the white space so as to avoid the look of clutter on your postcard. Place your headlines where it should be as well. This could help in making your postcard a success. Be consistent with your design as well so that it would be recognizable. Limit the use of graphics to what is only necessary. Add graphics if they can aid convey the message to your readers.

Try to limit the size of your postcard as well within the standard size of 4 ¼" x 6" to avoid excess charges. Even if a larger sized postcard would guarantee higher visibility and may attract more attention, try to stick within your budget.

A custom sized postcard would mean excess charges because most printing companies would only carry standard sized postcards and having a custom sized postcard would mean more work for your printing company because they would have to spend time in cutting of excess papers and spend more money on inks.

On creating the copy for your postcards design, be brief, specific and direct in your message. Due to the limited space, you have to be sure that you were able to express clearly what you want to convey and be sure that you were able to get your message across.

How you were able to put across your message is more important than any offer that you may have. Because you would not be able to transmit your message properly if you could not even get your readers attention.

In getting your readers attention, you can make use of colors or bigger fonts. If you have allotted a big budget for your postcard, you can make use of bright colors to be able to grab your readers' attention. If you are short on budget, make use then of bigger fonts. Big fonts coupled with an intriguing headline are a surefire way of grabbing attention. If you could not make your headline funny, make it entertaining instead so that it could stand out.

Addressing your readers in the first person would help you secure their interest. Avoid using the third person because this would not help make your copy as personal as you want it to be. So to be able to get the interest of your readers, make your copy as personal as you can and the best way to do it would be to talk to them as if your copy is specially done for them.

Make sure however, that in making your postcards design fun and entertaining, it would also appear professional and trustworthy. Because even if you were able to attract all the attention that you want, if you weren't able to get the trust of your reader, your postcard would not get the response that you want.

Postcards should also convince your readers to act immediately on the message that you have. If you want them to avail of a limited offer, they should return the postcard before a specific date. Or if it is an order form, make sure that your customer service representatives would be able to assist your customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Make it as easy and convenient for them as possible to reach you.

All of these would be possible with a carefully thought of design for your marketing postcard. So make sure that you spend as much time as you need in making your design for your postcard.

About the Author

Postcards Design tips and articles can be found at U Printing: Full Color Online Printing Services

Marketing: Designing for Print : Designing &...

Designing and printing postcards online is a great way to get a large number of high-quality prints. Base the design around what sizes and quantities are available from the printing company. Find a postcard printer online who boasts a quick turn-around with creative ideas from the founder of a successful marketing agency in this free video on print design.

Expert: Kira Evans
Contact: www.kiraevans.com
Bio: Award winning designer Kira Evans is the founder of Kira Evans Design, a full service marketing firm with an emphasis on the strategic use of creative branding through specialty printing.
Filmmaker: bryan boyd