If it's your first attempt to get a postcard printed, you might be confused with a lot of customizable options offered by your postcard printer. These choices are intended to make your postcard even more fit for your needs. You simply have to understand what these options mean and when you should use them.

The Range of Options for Customizing Postcards

Size: Offset postcards come in standard sizes of 4.25x6 as the smallest to 6x11 inches the largest. Apart from standard sizes, you also have the option to choose your own dimensions, custom sizing your project for a minimal additional cost.

• Size: Businesses who want to identify themselves as traditional, reliable, official business, should observe certain restrain in their marketing materials. They should opt for either the 4.25x6 or the 5x7 inches. These are safe bets as the identifiable or recognizable invitations and postcards. Moreover, standard prices means standard cost, so you can minimize your expenses.

• Extreme postcards on the other hand can go crazy with their sizes. In offset printing, you may ask for a custom size, but since this requires additional service, it also has additional cost. Opt for unconventional sizes to attract more impact and generate a different feel.

• Shape: Postcards are traditionally square, but this can be played around with as well. There are die-cutters that cut your postcard exactly to your specification. If you want so celebrate an event, send out postcards of in shape of a piña colada for a more suggestive and inviting postcard.

• Printing Cost: Post-cards are very inexpensive. When printed offset (bulk) expect to pay less than a hundred dollars for several hundred pieces. As in the case of almost all offset print job, the cost per unit goes down as the volume increases. Apart from that, you can enjoy more colorful postcards for such affordable prices.

• Finishing: For postcards, a matte or semi-gloss finish is advisable. UV-coating makes the color more vibrant, but it makes the postcard resistant to writing materials – which means you cannot write on the postcard.

• Matte finish gives a low dull texture that will go well for traditional companies. Matte finish give your prints a subdued effect that create a sense of sophistication. Semi-gloss on the other hand is the default finish printers use when non-is specified. This should be free of charge.

• Black and White vs. Color: This is a long debate I doubt will be able to put to rest. Removing color from an image forces the attention on the shapes and lines of the elements. Artists who want to go for a particular feel may opt for black and white, while the rest should do well with colored postcards. After all, if you are after a striking postcard, color is the easiest way to do it.

These are a few of the many postcard tips you will find online. It is also always a good idea to test a small sample before giving away the postcards full scale. Test for results and receptiveness from the audience. Do all this with the professional help of a postcard printer and achieve your project easily, successfully.