You do not need a print shop to send a great postcard. Any home printer that handles cardstock can produce a 6x4 postcard sturdy enough to survive the mail. This guide covers the exact settings and the three mistakes that ruin most home prints.
What you need
- A 6x4 (1800x1200 or larger) JPG or PDF postcard front.
- Matte cardstock (65 lb cover or heavier) or blank 4x6 postcard stock.
- Scissors or a paper trimmer if you print on letter-size sheets.
- A pen that does not smear on coated paper for the back.
Printer settings that matter
- Scale: 100% / "Actual size." "Fit to page" stretches or shrinks the art and breaks the 6x4 trim.
- Paper type: cardstock or heavy matte. This slows the feed and lays down ink correctly.
- Quality: best or high. Postcard art is viewed up close.
- Borderless if printing direct to 4x6 stock. If your printer cannot do borderless, print on letter cardstock and trim.
The three mistakes that ruin home prints
- Thin paper. Regular copy paper bends, jams sorting machines, and arrives wrinkled. Use 65 lb cover stock or heavier.
- Auto-scaling. If the print does not measure exactly 6x4 after trim, the scale setting was not 100%.
- Glossy backs. Glossy coating on the writing side smears ink. Keep the back matte or uncoated.
Trim, write, mail
Trim to 6x4, write the message and address on the back, and add a postcard-rate stamp. Check the current size and thickness rules on the official USPS site before mailing unusual shapes — a standard 6x4 card on cardstock is well within them.
Want ready-made postcard art?
Our printable snail postcard packs are 1800x1200 JPGs built exactly for this workflow — pick a pack, download instantly after payment, print at 100%, trim, and mail. For paper and stamps, see the printing supplies list.