Learn About USPS Postcard Pricing and Rates

Understanding USPS Postcard Rates and What You'll Pay

The United States Postal Service sets specific rates for mailing postcards, and these rates change periodically based on postal regulations. As of 2024, the standard postcard rate for First-Class Mail is 48 cents for a single postcard sent within the United States. This rate applies to postcards that meet USPS size and weight requirements, which we'll explore in detail in the next section.

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The postcard rate differs from the standard letter rate, which is currently 68 cents for a 1-ounce letter. This means postcards offer a cost savings of 20 cents per piece compared to mailing a standard letter. For businesses or individuals sending large volumes of postcards, this difference can result in significant savings. For example, a marketing campaign sending 5,000 postcards would cost $2,400 at the postcard rate, compared to $3,400 if those pieces were mailed as letters.

USPS rates typically increase once per year, usually in January, though the exact timing can vary. The Postal Service announces rate changes in advance, usually several months before they take effect. This allows mailers to plan budgets and adjust their mailing strategies accordingly. Checking the official USPS website regularly helps you stay informed about any upcoming rate changes that might affect your mailing plans.

Several factors influence what you pay beyond the basic postcard rate. These include whether you're using First-Class Mail or other mail services, whether postcards are being mailed domestically or internationally, and whether you're preparing your mailing to meet postal discounts. Some mailers don't realize that preparing postcards in specific ways can lower the per-piece cost through bulk mailing discounts.

Practical Takeaway: Compare the 48-cent postcard rate against standard letter rates to determine the most cost-effective way to send your message. For volume mailers, the per-piece savings can be substantial, and investigating bulk mail discounts may provide even greater savings.

Postcard Size and Format Requirements

USPS has strict dimensional requirements for postcards to qualify for the postcard rate rather than the letter rate. A postcard must be rectangular and measure between 3.5 by 5 inches (minimum) and 4.25 by 6 inches (maximum). These dimensions are important because postcards outside this range will be charged the letter rate instead, costing you significantly more.

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The thickness of your postcard also matters. Postcards must be made from card stock that is at least .007 inches thick and no more than .016 inches thick. This ensures the postcard is rigid enough to withstand postal processing equipment without being so thick that it's classified differently. Most standard postcard stock available through printing companies meets these specifications without any special ordering.

Address formatting on postcards follows specific USPS rules. The address block must be placed on the right half of the postcard's address side, with at least 0.625 inches of space from the right and bottom edges. The address should be in a clear, readable font, printed in black or dark ink. The recipient's address should be in the center-bottom area of the address side, while your return address should appear in the upper-left corner.

The message and graphics on the other side of the postcard have fewer restrictions. You can include photos, illustrations, and text on the message side without worrying about disrupting mail processing. However, be mindful that USPS machines will scan and sort your postcards, so extremely dark or reflective finishes on the address side might cause scanning issues. Standard printing on both sides works well for most applications.

Practical Takeaway: Before printing postcards, verify that your design meets the 3.5 by 6-inch size requirement and that your card stock thickness falls within the acceptable range. Confirming these details with your printer beforehand prevents costly mistakes of having postcards charged at the letter rate instead of the lower postcard rate.

First-Class Mail Postcard Service Options

First-Class Mail is the standard postcard service offered by USPS, and it's the most commonly used option for both personal and business postcard mailings. First-Class Mail postcards typically arrive within 1 to 3 business days for domestic delivery, depending on distance and processing times. This service includes tracking information through Informed Delivery, which notifies recipients that mail is coming and provides images of incoming mail.

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When you mail a postcard through First-Class Mail, it receives the same handling priority as letters. USPS processes postcards at local facilities and transports them via truck, plane, or other means depending on destination. The service includes mail forwarding if the recipient has filed a change of address, and postcards will be delivered to the new address at no additional cost.

For mailers sending postcards in bulk, USPS offers discounted rates through its Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) program and other presort options. EDDM allows you to mail postcards to all addresses in a specific carrier route without needing an address list. This service costs less per piece (around 27 to 37 cents depending on specifics) than standard First-Class Mail but requires you to bundle postcards in specific postal carrier route order and drop them at a designated facility.

Presort Mail is another bulk option where you or a mail service provider sort postcards by ZIP code and delivery point before mailing. USPS offers Commercial Pricing for presorted postcards, which can reduce costs to around 34 to 41 cents per piece depending on the level of sorting and discounts applied. This option works well for marketing campaigns, newsletters, and other high-volume mailers.

Practical Takeaway: If you're sending fewer than 200 postcards, standard First-Class Mail at 48 cents per piece is usually simplest. For larger volumes, investigate EDDM or presort options through USPS or a mail service provider, as these can cut per-piece costs by 25 to 40 percent depending on volume and sorting preparation.

International Postcard Rates and Services

Mailing postcards internationally costs significantly more than domestic postcard rates. USPS groups countries into two price groups for international postcards. Group 1 countries, which include Canada and Mexico, have a postcard rate of $1.50 per piece as of 2024. Group 2 includes all other countries and charges $1.75 per postcard.

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International postcards travel via First-Class Mail International service, which can take 7 to 21 business days depending on the destination country. Some countries with customs processing or distance may take longer. USPS provides basic tracking for international postcards, though detailed tracking comparable to domestic services is not available for all countries.

When mailing postcards internationally, you must include the full address with country name. USPS recommends using English names for cities and provinces on international postcards to reduce delivery delays. The address format should match the destination country's standard format whenever possible. For example, postcards to Canada should include the postal code in the Canadian format (letter-number-letter number-letter-number).

Customs forms are not required for postcards, as postcards are considered nondutiable correspondence. However, postcards are subject to inspection by customs officials in the destination country. Content should be appropriate for international mail and free from potentially problematic materials or imagery that might cause clearance issues at international borders.

Practical Takeaway: International postcard rates are 3 to 4 times higher than domestic rates, making postcards less cost-effective for reaching international audiences compared to email. If you do send international postcards, budget around $1.50 to $1.75 per postcard and allow 10 to 21 days for delivery to account for international processing and customs procedures.

How Postcard Pricing Compares to Other Mailing Options

Comparing postcard pricing to other mailing methods helps you determine the most cost-effective way to send your message. Standard First-Class Mail letters cost 68 cents (as of 2024), making postcards 20 cents cheaper per piece. This 29 percent savings on postage adds up quickly when mailing in volume. A business sending monthly newsletters to 1,000 customers saves $2,400 annually by using postcards instead of letters.

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Postcards also typically cost less to produce than letters. A basic