Political Postcards

Bring Your Candidate Forward With Customized Political Postcards

Strengthen the impact of your election campaign with political postcards. Direct mail is an integral part of a multichannel campaign, according to Jessica Eng, VP of Marketing for Alliance Franchise Brands, Marketing & Print Division. It’s not a matter of choosing print over digital, but utilizing both mediums for their strengths.

Political postcards offer a tactile experience that allows recipients to easily process the given information. You can personalize the message to a specific demographic, based on the area or other factors such as gender, income, and industry.

Customize your campaign postcards from five different stocks and nine standard sizes. Add mailing services so your message gets shipped directly to the addresses on your list.

How to Customize Your Campaign Postcards

Find the right dimensions for designs and how they fair against the competition.
Your choice of size depends on how your visual elements and text go together. Think about how your candidate stands against competitors’ marketing channels. Also, consider sizes that qualify for direct mail if you plan on delivering them directly.

• Smaller sizes such as 4” x 6” and 4.25” x 6” make a mark if other candidates don’t employ postcards as much.
• Medium dimensions like 5” x 7” and 6” x 8” stand out more if a moderate number of candidates also send out postcards.
• Larger sizes, like 6” x 9” and 6” x 11” introduce and distinguish your candidate, especially if he or she is new in the race.
• 4” x 6” qualifies for the USPS First-Class Mail® rate and is the smallest standard size option. You can opt for a smaller size for candidates with low marketing volume.
• 5” x 7” and 6” x 11” qualifies for the USPS First-Class Mail letter or standard letter rate.

Choose a cardstock and coating that showcases your candidate’s message.

• 10 pt. cardstock is a lightweight yet sturdy stock that comes in scratch-resistant, shiny gloss, low-glare matte, or extra-vibrant, high-gloss UV coating.
• 14 pt. cardstock is thick and durable enough to resist folds, creases, and bends. It comes with an uncoated, writable side.
• 16 pt. cardstock is a little thicker and sturdier than the 14 pt. cardstock. Add protective gloss, matte, or high-gloss UV coating on one or both sides.
• 17 pt. cardstock offers a smooth surface you can write on. It provides an elegant touch that appeals to a higher-end market.

Add a section that recipients can tear off and send back as their response.
Sustain the personalized tone of your message with a tear off section recipients can send back to the candidate. This section can encourage the goal of your campaign postcard’s call to action, such as attending a political rally or sending donations.

Political Postcard Print Guidelines

Keep in mind these guidelines to ensure a print-ready postcard:

• Convert the file from CMYK if the color is in RGB. Otherwise, it’s best to start designing on a CMYK canvas.
• Save your file in the following formats: PDF, TIF, JPG, or EPS.
• The image resolution should be in 300 dots per inch (DPI).
• Review the bleeds. Your artwork should include an additional 0.125” bleed on each edge. Make sure there is a bleed area on all four edges. You can download a template that includes this.
• Text and other elements should be at least .25” away from the bleed edge or 0.125” away from the trim edge. All important information stays within the caution zone and is prevented from being cut off.
• Proofread all text on your file. Make sure the spelling and grammar is correct.

Campaign Postcards Tips

Blog/ Links Content Looking for ideas on how to best use political postcards for the coming election campaign? Check out these helpful articles:

• How to Tell an Effective Candidate Story
• How to Win a Grassroots Campaign
• Delivery Options for Your Political Mail

Political Postcard FAQs

Q: What is the recommended cardstock for mailing?
A: The 16 pt. cardstock gloss is recommended for its added durability and a coating that protects it during mailing. But if you plan on handwriting a message on the back of the postcard, the 14 pt. cardstock high-gloss UV front, uncoated back is a better option.

Q: What do I need to submit to include mailing services in my political postcards order?
A: You’ll be asked to upload a list of addresses in Microsoft Excel format. A mailing list template can be downloaded for you to update and upload.

A list of questions will be provided for you to indicate the specifics of your delivery:

• Number of pieces to be mailed
• What to do if your recipient moved
• Action for duplicate removal
• Type of postage
• Mailing date

Q: What are the requirements for postcard mailing?
A: Your postcards need to fit specific mailing specifications in order to qualify for specific rates. Postcards qualify for First-Class Mail or letter automation rates if they meet the following USPS requirements:

• 4” x 6” postcards qualify for the First-Class Mail automation rates if mailing a minimum of 500 pieces.
• 5” x 7” to 6” x 11” cards qualify for the automated standard letter rate if mailing a minimum of 200 pieces. The same size range qualifies for the First-Class Mail letter rate for a minimum of 500 pieces.

You can download the summary of postcard mailing requirements here.

Q: Can I request a custom quote for my direct mail postcards?
A: Yes, you can request a quote on our Direct Mail Quote page. You can also request a mailing list on the same link.

Why Customers Choose PrintPlace

“This is not my first order with Print Place. They always do a great job and have great prices. I will definitely use them again.”

  - Dan Greer, Colorado

“I had run into some small issues regarding production and the team was wonderful and amazing. They were able to help me out and fix any issues I had. Thank you.”

  - Jaylee, California

“The quality and attention to detail that the prints show is very much appreciated.”

  - DC Boyce, Kansas