Create a real 4 × 6 inch postcard: a picture front with your own photo or an illustrated scene, and a classic back with your message, stamp box and address lines. Download a 300 dpi print-ready PDF with 0.125 inch bleed for a print shop, or sheets with crop marks to print at home.
Last updated:
Bleed (trimmed off) Trim line, 6 × 4 in Safe area
Advertisement
Advertisement
How to use the Postcard Maker
Pick a front layout and add your photo (or choose an illustrated scene). Drag the photo on the preview to frame it and use Zoom.
Write the front text: a small line and a main title, then choose the font, colors and position.
Switch to Back and type your message, the recipient's address (or leave the lines blank to handwrite), and an optional return address and caption.
Check the guides: keep text inside the dashed safe area and let backgrounds run into the bleed.
Download the PDF: choose Print shop for a printing service, or a Letter/A4 sheet with crop marks to print double-sided at home and cut out.
Postcard print specifications
Item
Inches
Millimeters
Pixels at 300 dpi
Finished (trim) size
6 × 4
152.4 × 101.6
1800 × 1200
Bleed on each side
0.125
3.175
37.5
Size with bleed
6.25 × 4.25
158.75 × 107.95
1875 × 1275
Safe area (inside trim)
5.75 × 3.75
146.05 × 95.25
1725 × 1125
Postal barcode clear zone (back)
bottom 5/8, right 4.75
bottom 15.9, right 120.7
187.5 × 1425
A photo used full-bleed should be at least 1875 × 1275 pixels to print sharply at 300 dpi. Smaller photos still work but may look soft, especially if you zoom in.
Postcard back layout
Left half: your message, with an optional return address at the top and a caption describing the picture at the bottom.
Divider line: separates the message from the address, the traditional "divided back" layout.
Upper right: the stamp. The dashed box shows where to stick it.
Right half: the recipient's name and address on the lines, kept above the bottom 5/8 inch so the post office can print its barcode.
Tips for great postcards
Bold, short titles read best at postcard size. Two or three words is plenty.
Contrast matters: the outline and shadow keep a title readable over busy photos.
Let backgrounds bleed: photos and colored panels should run to the outer edge; only text needs to stay inside the safe area.
Test print on plain paper first to check alignment and duplex settings before using card stock.
Use a matte or uncoated back if you plan to write on it, since ballpoint pens smear on glossy coatings.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a standard postcard?
The most common postcard size in the US is 4 × 6 inches, which this tool makes. For the USPS postcard price, a card must be between 3.5 × 5 and 4.25 × 6 inches and between 0.007 and 0.016 inches thick. Larger cards, such as 5 × 7, are charged as letters.
What is bleed and why does my postcard need it?
Bleed is extra image that extends past the cutting line, here 0.125 inch on every side, so the card is 6.25 × 4.25 inches before trimming. Printers cannot cut perfectly on the line, and the bleed prevents thin white edges. Keep important text inside the safe area, at least 0.125 inch inside the trim line.
How do I print postcards at home?
Choose a US Letter or A4 layout, print the PDF at 100% (actual size) on card stock, double-sided with Flip on long edge. Then cut along the crop marks with a paper trimmer or a ruler and craft knife. If your printer cannot print on both sides, print page 1, turn the sheet over, and print page 2.
What paper should I use for postcards?
Use card stock of roughly 100 to 110 lb cover (about 270 to 300 g/m²) if your printer can feed it, or at least 65 to 80 lb cover. Postcards must be at least 0.007 inch thick to mail at the postcard rate in the US; thin paper may be rejected or damaged in the mail.
Where do the address and stamp go on a postcard?
The back is split by a vertical line. Write your message on the left half and the recipient's address on the lines on the right half, with the stamp in the upper right corner. Keep the bottom 5/8 inch of the right side clear, because postal machines print a barcode there.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. The design is drawn and the PDF is created entirely in your browser. Your photos and text stay on your device.
Which file should I send to a print shop?
Choose the Print shop layout. It creates a two-page PDF at 6.25 × 4.25 inches (front on page 1, back on page 2) with 0.125 inch bleed and a 6 × 4 inch trim box, at 300 dpi, which is what most online and local printers ask for.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.