We took a look at every postcard size and tips on designing them, and even shared with you how truly powerful these marketing materials are. The response rate alone is enough to get you started on planning a postcard campaign today.

So, now let's take a deeper look into two of the most loved and powerful postcard sizes, 4” x 6” and 5” x 7”.

We’ll walk you through the ins and outs of each size and help you decide which size is best for your marketing goal.

4 x 6 Postcard Run Down

4 x 6 is the smallest standard sized postcard offered by printers. These tiny yet effective materials are a good size for postcards when you are promoting a sale, inviting people to an event, sending out a thank you to a customer, or even as a handout or addition to a promotional package.

The Cost

4 x 6 postcards are the cheapest postcards and are right next to business cards on being the cheapest marketing material.

In fact, if you were to order 100 4 x 6 postcards, you would be paying about $0.32 per postcard, plus if you are mailing your postcard, it would be around $14 with a total of only about $47.

The Spacing and Design

To visualize a 4 x 6 postcard size, think of a picture postcard you would grab at a giftshop or other destination to write a note on and send to your friends or family when you’re on vacation. These travel postcards are typically 4” x 6”. When designing this size of postcard, there isn’t much room for details or a lot of copy.

The space provided on a 4 x 6 postcard offers enough room for an image and short headline or snippet on the front, a couple lines of promotional text, and space for the mailing information on the back.

The mailing information needs to be at least 4” x 2.25” which is a good portion of the postcard, so be sure when designing your postcard, you don’t overdo it on imagery or copy. Instead, think less is more, and get creative with colors. Use contrasting colors throughout your design and don’t be afraid to go bright and bold to really make your postcard stand out.

Due to the small space provided by a 4 x 6 postcard, this size is often used as a handout instead of a direct mail marketing material or placed into packages for online orders.

Pro Tip: Stretch an image across the entire front side of your postcard and add a headline over top. This will help make your tiny but powerful marketing material stand out! Also, consider using Variable Data Printing to create a personalized message for each of your recipients. This will really grab the attention of your audience and increase your responses.

To make sure you include enough room for the mailing information, and you follow the proper bleed, margin, and trim guidelines, use a 4 x 6 postcard template. Simply click below to download a free template, place the PDF in a separate layer in your design platform, and then turn off or delete the layer once your design is complete.

4" x 6" Postcard

5 x 7 Postcard Run Down

One of the best parts about a 5 x 7 postcard is that the height is taller than most of the standard envelope sizes which means it really pops next to junk mail and bills in your recipients’ mailboxes.

They are the perfect size for a tight budget while also being big enough to include a decent amount of information about your promotion, event, or other marketing message.

The Cost

Of course, 5 x 7 postcards are going to cost slightly more than 4 x 6 postcards, however that price increase is very slight compared to the big picture.

If you were to print 100 5 x 7 postcards, you would be paying about $0.44 per postcard. And if you are mailing your postcards, it would be around $14 for shipping with a total of only around $59.

The Spacing and Design

As you already know, 5 x 7 postcards offer more space for images and copy. Generally speaking, even though these postcards are only 1” x 1” larger than a 4 x 6, they are still more ideal for promotions or introductions.

Pro Tip: When the copy of your marketing message is the “main event,” so to speak, use a 5 x 7 postcard so you can go larger with the text. This will make the message pop while still having enough room for an eye-catching image or other design elements.

Don’t forget to use a 5 x 7 postcard template to ensure you leave enough space for the mailing information and that you include the correct measurements for the bleed, margin, and trim. Just click below to download a free template.

5" x 7" Postcard

What’s Better, a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 Postcard Size?

When it comes down to it, the size that is best is the size that best fits your marketing needs.

Both 4 x 6 and 5 x 7 postcards are extremely cost-effective, and both can deliver a powerful message and outcome. Of course, if your budget is very limited and you would like to save a few dollars, a 4 x 6 is a great choice. This size is also perfect if your design is minimal and has a direct and quick message.

On the other hand, if you have a bit more detail you would like to include in your postcard, you should choose a 5 x 7 postcard to avoid a cluttered or cramped design. Also, if your budget allows for the slight extra cost of 5 x 7 postcards, and you are taking advantage of direct mail marketing, a 5 x 7 may stand out more compared to the same design on a 4 x 6.

Need More Room? Try a 6 x9 Postcard or Larger

4 x 6 and 5 x 7 postcards are great sizes that are popularly used by all kinds of industries, for good reasons too. These smaller-sized marketing materials offer a powerful punch in gaining results, especially when designed well. But they may not be the best option depending on your marketing goal.

If you are looking to include more details in your postcard or even want to take advantage of direct mail options like postcard commingling where you can send as few as 10 postcards you may want to or be required to size up to a 6 x 9 postcard. And for mailing options like EDDM, you’ll need to resize to a 6.25 x 9 or a 6 x 11 postcard.

Whether you want to utilize a direct mail option that requires sizes larger than 5 x 7 or not, you still need to consider if a 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 is big enough for your marketing goal. Will they provide enough impact or be able to accompany the information you want to deliver within your marketing message? Is your design effective enough to stand out in the mailbox on a smaller card?

Chances are 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 is the perfect size for your postcard message. After all, the greatest part about a postcard is they force your audience to focus on your powerful message so they can quickly engage and respond. And if your 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 postcard design is effective, you’ll get a higher ROI than any other size or material.

Still, it’s important to keep in mind that postcard sizes can be printed beyond these two sizes, including 6 x 11 or 8.5 x 11. So, make sure you choose the best size for your postcard campaigns goals and budget.

Ready to get started on your 4 x 6 or 5 x 7 postcard campaign? At Conquest Graphics, we have everything you need to exceed your goals and we guarantee the lowest prices possible and the best quality you can find. Click below to get started today!