How to Address a Postcard
Table of Contents
- Why is Addressing a Postcard Properly Important?
- The Back of a Postcard
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Addressing a Postcard
- Extra Tips for Accuracy
- Address Formatting Checklist
- Key Takeaways
- Ready to Send Your Postcard?
Why is Addressing Postcard Properly Important?
Ensuring that your postcard is correctly addressed saves you time and money —especially if you’re sending promotional postcards, event invitations, or direct mail campaigns — where every print can be a time-sensitive marketing opportunity. When the addresses are incorrect, written on the wrong side of the envelope or postcard, or overlap with other elements, they’re likely to be delayed, misrouted, or returned to the sender.
This PrintRunner guide explains how to address a postcard correctly, so your message won’t get lost in transit and reach the right recipients.
The Back of a Postcard
The backside of the postcard is where you’ll find the message and all the mailing information. You’ll find that it has two sections regardless of whether your postcard’s layout is divided vertically or horizontally.
Vertically Divided Postcards
- Left side – Message
- Right side – Mailing information (should be at least 2-1/8” wide based on USPS standards)
Horizontally Divided Postcards
- Upper portion – Mailing information
- Lower portion – Message
Alternative Setup for Horizontally Divided Postcards
- Upper portion – Return address, postage, USPS marking, and message
- Lower portion – Destination address
Where to Place Each Element
Knowing what type of information to include is important, but knowing where to place it matters, too.
Recipient Address Placement
The recipient’s address is always placed on the right side of the postcard. It occupies the center-right or lower-right area. It consists of the destination address, postage, or any United States Postal Service (USPS) marking.
Here’s what a typical layout looks like for vertically divided postcards:
| Left Side | Right Side |
|---|---|
| Personal message | Stamp above address |
| More message space | Recipient address |
| Signature | Recipient address |
For horizontally divided postcards, this is the common layout:
| Upper Portion | Lower Portion |
|---|---|
| Stamp above address | Personal message |
| Recipient address | More message space |
| Recipient address | Signature |
Return Address Placement
A return address is placed in the upper-left corner of the address area. While it’s optional, USPS recommends a return address because it allows the postal service to return the postcard to the sender if it’s undeliverable.
This can be especially helpful if:
- You’re mailing important information
- The recipient moved locations
- You’re sending international mail
- You’re sending business postcards for a direct mail campaign
Stamp Placement
Stamps should always be placed in the upper-right corner of the postcard. Their standard location is recognized globally and ensures proper cancellation and processing.
Step-by-Step Guide to Addressing a Postcard
Addressing a postcard is quick and easy. Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Determine Where You’re Sending the Postcard
Before addressing your postcard, decide first where it’s headed to – is it at someone’s home, a business, an international location, or a military post office.
Step 2: Write the Recipient’s Name
Write the recipient’s name on the first line of the address section. For personal postcards, make sure to write the full name because it helps ensure the postcard reaches the correct person.
Example:
Jane Doe
For business postcards, write the person’s name followed by the company name if needed.
Example:
Jane Doe
ABC Marketing
If you’re sending postcards to the military post office, include the recipient’s rank when applicable.
Example:
SGT John Smith
Step 3: Add the Street Address
On the next line, write the complete address including the apartment, suite, or unit numbers. Even if a city and ZIP code are present, not adding a complete address can cause delays.
Example:
123 Main Street
Or
Apartment 91D
123 Main Street
For military addresses, this line should include the Postal Service Center (PSC), Unit, or Box number instead of a traditional street address.
Example:
PSC 123 Box 4567
Step 4: Include the City, State, and ZIP Code
The next line should have the city, state, and ZIP code. ZIP codes help sorting systems route mail efficiently.
Example:
Jane Doe
123 Main Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Military (APO/FPO/DPO) Addresses
Military mail follows a different format. Instead of using a city and state, use:
- APO (Army Post Office)
- FPO (Fleet Post Office)
- DPO (Diplomatic Post Office)
Then, include one of the following “state” abbreviations:
- AA – Americas
- AE – Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Canada
- AP – Pacific
Here’s what a military address should look like:
SGT John Smith
PSC 123 Box 4567
APO AE 09012
Note: Military addresses should never include the city or country where the recipient is stationed.
Step 5: Add the Country (If Mailing Internationally)
If you’re sending your postcard internationally, include the destination country in the last line. This helps international postal services to easily identify where the postcard is headed.
Example:
Mr. Danny Choi
27, Huiujeong-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu,
Seoul, 04028
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Step 6: Include a Return Address (Optional)
A return address is not required for most postcards, but it’s highly recommended, especially for business mail. If your postcard can’t be delivered, it can be sent back to you so you can correct or update your mailing list. Write the return address on the upper left corner of the address side of the postcard.
Step 7: Add a Stamp
Place the correct postage stamp in the upper-right corner of the postcard. Make sure to use the appropriate postage for domestic, international, or military mail before sending.
Step 8: Mail Your Postcard
Give your postcard one final review and double-check if the address is complete, easy to read, and has the right postage. Then, drop it in a USPS collection box, take it to the nearest post office, or choose a mailing service from a trusted provider to handle your postcards. Discover more tips about sending postcards in our How to Mail a Postcard article.
Extra Tips for Accuracy
Whether you’re promoting a sale, inviting people to your event, or thanking customers, these best practices can help your postcards look professional and arrive on time.
1. Use a clean and readable address format. Keep the recipient’s address clear and easy to read so that postal workers and sorting machines can process your postcards quickly.
Avoid: Illegible handwriting, decorative fonts, and crowded address lines
2. Verify your mailing list regularly. Ensure that your mailing list is up-to-date before printing to reduce returned mail, wasted printing costs, and missed opportunities.
Avoid: Outdated, incomplete, or duplicate addresses
3.Include a return address. Adding a return address helps the postcards be returned to you if they’re undeliverable, rather than discarded, and gives you the chance to still update your mailing list.
4. Leave adequate space around the address area. Allow enough space for the address and stamp to ensure they can be scanned correctly.
Avoid: Incorrect stamp placement, writing in the address area, or overlapping graphics
5.Use high-quality printing for a professional appearance.Your postcard represents your brand. Crisp images, vibrant colors, durable cardstock, and high-resolution print can leave a strong impression and encourage customers to notice your message.
Avoid: Blurry images, low-resolution graphics, and low-quality paper
6. Personalize messages whenever possible. A postcard with a personalized greeting or special offer can make it more meaningful and make your customers feel valued.
Avoid: Generic greetings, irrelevant promotions, long paragraphs or blocks of text, unclear call to action.
For more tips, check out our How to Make Quality Postcards That Don’t Break the Bank article.
Address Formatting Checklist
Use this checklist to make sure your postcard address is complete and correctly formatted:
Recipient Information
Address Layout
Key Takeaways
- Write the recipient’s complete address on the right side of the postcard.
- Always place the stamp in the upper-right corner.
- Include the city, state, and ZIP code for domestic mail.
- Add the destination country to the last line of the address section when mailing international postcards.
- Double-check the spelling, postal codes, and address before mailing to avoid delays.
Ready to Send Your Postcard?
Addressing a postcard may seem like a minor task, but it helps ensure that your message is delivered successfully. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll be ready to send postcards with confidence. With a clear recipient address, proper stamp placement, and complete mailing information, your postcard can save you time, prevent delays, and smoothly go through the mail system.
Need a trusted print provider? Choose PrintRunner for custom postcard printing services. We offer a wide range of standard postcard sizes that fit your personal and business needs.