Send Postcard
Overview
Send a postcard using DocuPost by selecting the Send Postcard option, designing or uploading your postcard, specifying the recipient's address, choosing mailing options, and finalizing the mailing.
Postcards in DocuPost
Select Send Postcard by clicking the blue + Send Mail button in the main sidebar menu
Browse DocuPost's postcard templates, upload an existing postcard design or create one from scratch
Specify the recipient's address
Choose your preferred mailing options
Review and confirm the details
Send the postcard
Card Front
Templates
DocuPost offers a variety of postcard templates for the front of the card that you can customize to your needs. To browse the templates, click the Browse templates button, located on the top right Card front section.
If the templates do not fit your needs, click the Upload or design from scratch option to the right of the Browse templates button.
Custom Design
If you click the Upload or design from scratch button within the Card Front section on the top right of the Send postcard page, you will be presented with a design interface. The design interface offers various tools to help you customize the front of your postcard. You can add photos, text, shapes, and backgrounds to create a unique design.
The Uploads option allows you to upload images from your computer.
The Photos section gives you access to a selection of photo thumbnails.
The Text tool enables you to add and format text on your postcard.
The Shapes option lets you insert different shapes to enhance your design.
The Background tool allows you to choose or upload a background image for your postcard.
You also have the choice to use a pre-designed template. You can select from various templates or start from scratch, depending on your preference. This flexibility ensures you can create a postcard that meets your needs.
Within the design interface, there is a purple Upload button in which you can upload your own design from an existing image file on your local machine.
Card Back
Editor
The card back editor in DocuPost lets you customize your postcard design by adding text, images, and adjusting the layout. This helps make each postcard unique and personalized for the recipient.
To add text to your postcard, type your message in the text area provided.
Use Merge Fields
If you are sending bulk letters, you may benefit from using merge fields and merge tags for automatic personalization based on your created lists and custom data.
Use the tags listed and described below. Note that this relies on your mailing lists being prepared appropriately in your address book, which you learn about in manage mailing lists.
Merge Tag Description | Tag Syntax |
|---|---|
Recipient Full Name | {{fullname}} |
Recipient First Name | {{firstname} |
Recipient Last Name | {{lastname}} |
Recipient Address Line 1 | {{address1}} |
Recipient Address Line 2 | {{address2}} |
Recipient City | {{city}} |
Recipient State | {{state}} |
Recipient Zip | {{zip}} |
Recipient Custom Field (1–5) | {{custom1}} {{custom3}} {{custom4}} {{custom5}} |
Postcard Mail Service Options Breakdown
DocuPost only offers USPS First Class delivery for postcards. We do not currently support USPS Standard or Certified options for postcards.
Recipient Details
When you're ready to send a postcard through DocuPost, you'll enter the recipient's details in the To Recipient section. This service allows you to send letters globally, so you can reach friends, family, or business partners no matter where they are. First, fill in the recipient's information. This includes their name, address line 1, address line 2, city, state, and zip code for U.S. addresses. For recipients outside the U.S., fill in the equivalent details as required.
You have the flexibility to send your postcard to either a single recipient or multiple recipients, via the Single or Multiple radio buttons at the top of the To Recipient section.
If you're sending your postcard to more than one person, you can opt for a mailing list. You might already have a list set up. If so, simply choose it from the dropdown menu. If you need a new one, you can buy or upload a mailing list using the Buy a mailing list and Upload a mailing list buttons, respectively. Alternatively, if you have saved addresses in your address book, you can select from there by clicking the Choose from address book... dropdown field.
Using your address book can make the process smoother. If you decide to add a new recipient not yet in your address book during this process, you have the option to save their information for future use. This feature helps streamline sending and managing postcards, making future correspondence quicker and more efficient.
You have the option to send Postcards internationally also via the country drop-down, as shown in the image below. This does not apply to bulk mailings of postcards, which are not permitted to be sent internationally.
Sender Information
To send a postcard with DocuPost, you'll need to enter or select the sender's details in the From Sender section. First, type in the sender's information such as name, address, city, state, and zip code if you are sending from the US. For sending from other countries, fill in the relevant fields according to that country's postal format.
If you have previously saved addresses in your address book, you can quickly select them to save time. This step ensures that your mail looks professional and reaches its destination without any issues.
Also, you have the option to save new addresses to your address book during this process. This is handy for future mailings, allowing you to easily choose these details next time without re-entering the information.
Scheduling and Sending
To set the mailing date and finally send your postcard in DocuPost, there is a vertical bar pinned to the bottom of the send letter page. On the left is a Send Letter button, and to the right there is a Send ASAPbutton.
The default setting is Send ASAP, which means your letter will be sent as soon as possible. If you do not interact with the Send ASAP button, it will default to the Send ASAP setting. Typically this will tender your mail to the mail carrier within two days when taking into account daily cut-off times, holidays and weekends.
We do not guarantee postmark date for a number of reasons, including unpredictable delays between the time that a mailing is ready for pickup, when it actually gets picked up, and finally, when USPS actually first acknowledges it via a scan. You can learn more about tracking letters via our track sent letters guide.
If you prefer to schedule your letter for a later date, clicking the Send ASAP button, which will trigger a date picker overlay where you can select the date that works best for you.
After you've set the mailing date or chosen to send your letter immediately, finalize the process by clicking the Send Postcard button. It's a purple button located on the left side of the bottom bar. This step will place your letter into the processing queue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any postcards that you send will have the option to re-use the design for subsequent sends by going to the Postcard tracking/details page and clicking the "Send new postcard with this design" link
Once you've queued a postcard for mailing in the future, you can cancel it up to the send date you selected, within the cancellation window.
When sending postcards through DocuPost, you will see a small badge in the lower left corner that reads "Printed & mailed by DocuPost.com" if you choose to type a message. However, if you upload your own custom postcard image, this branding will not appear.
You can sign up for premium to remove DocuPost branding on your postcards.
Yes, you can send bulk postcards by selecting multiple recipients and using the bulk mailing feature.
Unfortunately not at this time.
All postcards on printed on 4x6 stock with the following specifications: Basis Weight: 100# - 120# Cover GSM: 255 - 325 Full Bleed 1 Side UV Gloss 10% PCW Product FSC Certified.
Unfortunately, postcards occasionally have minor smudges or scratches on them upon arrival. This is an industry-wide issue. USPS's high speed sorting machines are what typically cause these scuff marks. This is not an isolated incident for our printing partners. Quantum Postcard and Click 2 Mail have written about this: http://www.quantumpostcards.com/blog/why-do-some-of-my-mailed-postcards-have-smudges-or-scuff-marks https://blog.click2mail.com/articles/view/hey-how-did-that-happen-why-your-mail-gets-damaged-sometimes