- 500 postcards run about $47.00 base, both sides, matte, while 1,000 run about $66.61.
- 100 postcards cost $29.54 base, the highest per-card price of the three tiers at about $0.30 each.
- Code
hotprintsusa-10-off-for-copiesdoes not apply to postcards; it is scoped to color copies only.
This guide covers how to order postcards on 55printing.com without overpaying for the wrong size or stock. Prices below are base print figures for 4″ x 6″ cards on 100 lb matte cover, full color both sides, standard turnaround, checked July 2026. Shipping is a separate line in the cart.
Start with 4×6, the default mailer size
4×6 is the standard postcard mail size and the cheapest per-card option on this table: $47.00 base for 500, $66.61 for 1,000. Move up to 5×7 or 6×9 only when the layout truly needs the extra room, not because a bigger card feels more premium.
4″ x 6″ fits the standard postcard mail rules and covers most handout and mailer needs without extra postage rules kicking in. On the July 2026 table, 500 cards run about $47.00 base and 1,000 run about $66.61 base. Move up to 5″ x 7″ or 6″ x 9″ only when the layout truly needs more room, not because a bigger card feels more premium by default.
Quantity table to check your own quote
| Quantity | 4×6, both sides, matte | Approx. per card |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $29.54 | $0.30 |
| 500 | $47.00 | $0.09 |
| 1,000 | $66.61 | $0.07 |
If your cart total is far above these figures for the same size and matte stock, check whether you picked a bigger card, a gloss or linen upgrade, or rush turnaround by mistake.
One side or both, and matte or gloss
Front-only saves a little over both-sides pricing, and it only makes sense when the back is truly blank or a short handwritten note. Full color both sides is the standard marketing choice: offer on the front, details or a map on the back. On stock, 100 lb matte cover reads text cleanly and keeps photos soft. 14 pt gloss makes bright product photos pop but shows fingerprints faster on a card that gets passed around.
Uncoated stocks take a pen better than either matte or gloss, which matters for any card meant to be signed, stamped, or written on before it goes out. Reserve that stock for RSVP cards and short handwritten reminders rather than a full-color marketing piece where photo quality is the point.
100 lb matte cover
- Reads text cleanly and keeps photos soft
- Standard choice for recall and reminder mailers
- Base price on this table: $47.00 at 500, both sides
14 pt gloss
- Makes bright product photos pop
- Shows fingerprints faster on a card that gets passed around
- Good fit for food, retail, or event photography
Scenario: a dental recall mailer
A dental office manager wants 500 postcards reminding patients it has been six months since their last cleaning. Both-sides matte at $47.00 base leaves room for a friendly front message and a scheduling QR code plus office hours on the back. A recall coordinator running the same mailer for a larger multi-location practice orders the 1,000 tier at $66.61 and splits the batch by zip code before mailing. Neither order needs a size upgrade, since the message is short and the QR code does the real work of getting patients to book.
Both orders keep the front message to one sentence and one clear action. A crowded front with the practice logo, three phone numbers, and a paragraph about insurance competes with the actual reminder and hurts response. The back panel is the right place for hours, address, and any fine print about scheduling online.
Code hotprintsusa-10-off-for-copies is scoped to eligible color copies products on 55printing.com and does not apply to postcards. Do not expect it to discount a postcard order at checkout. Watch the deals hub for any postcard-specific code we verify later.
Before you approve a postcard proof
- Confirm the address panel and barcode area are clear of text and photos
- Test the QR code on a real phone before approving the file
- Check bleed if color or photos run to the card edge
- Keep the front message to one sentence and one clear action
Request a soft proof even on a small 500-count recall mailer so the QR code and phone number get a human check before ink hits the whole batch.
Mailing versus handout
A handout card only needs print and a carton. A mailed card needs postage, a clean address panel, and enough margin for barcode placement. If the plan is a saturation mailer to every address on a route instead of a named list, compare sizes and USPS postage on the EDDM buying guide before you commit to a size.
Turnaround without paying for panic
Standard production is the default choice for most recall and reminder mailers. Rush and express add-ons exist when a drop date is already fixed on the calendar. Buy speed against that real mail date, not against a vague preference for faster.
Recall mailers usually run on a fixed monthly or quarterly schedule, which makes it easy to plan around standard turnaround every time instead of treating each batch as an emergency. Set a repeating reminder a week before the mail date so the order goes in with normal production time and normal shipping, not rush pricing.
Pick your size, stock, and quantity, then see the live total with shipping before you check out.
FAQ
What resolution should the artwork be?
300 dpi at final trim size. A soft phone screenshot stays soft on card stock no matter which paper you choose.
Do I need bleed on a postcard?
Yes, if color or photos run to the edge of the card. Keep critical text inside the safe margin so trim does not clip a phone number or QR code.
Can I mix two sizes in one order?
Use separate line items for each size. Mixing sizes in one upload usually forces a redesign or wastes a shared print sheet.
Does the color copies coupon apply if I have both products in one cart?
No. The discount is scoped to eligible color copies line items only, and a mixed cart should not show it applied to the postcard line.
How do I know if my recall list needs named addresses or a route mailer?
A named list with real patient addresses needs a standard postcard mailer, not EDDM. EDDM saturates a route without names, which fits new-patient outreach better than an existing patient recall.
Where do proofs happen on a small postcard run?
Follow the store proof flow on 55printing.com when the job needs a soft proof. Do not assume every small run automatically includes a held hard proof before it prints. For a first recall design, request a soft proof even on a 500-count order so the QR code and phone number get a human check before ink hits the stack.
What postage should I budget on top of print?
Postcard postage changes with USPS rates and with whether you mail First Class or use a nonprofit permit. Treat print and postage as two separate lines. A $47 print run can easily meet or exceed that amount again in stamps once 500 cards leave the office. Confirm current rates on USPS before you promise a total campaign budget to a clinic owner.
When should I jump from 4×6 to a larger postcard?
Only when the layout needs a map, a multi-step offer, or large type for older readers. A larger card raises print cost at the same quantity. Most recall and thank-you jobs stay readable on 4×6 if you keep one headline, one action, and one QR.
