What's on the back of this postcard template?
The back is split down the middle: message on the left, address and stamp on the right. Each part sits where USPS sorting machines look for it.
- Stamp box, top right. One postcard stamp, 65¢, covers a 4x6 card.
- Address lines inside the area USPS machines read: ½ inch in from each side, ⅝ to 2¾ inches up from the bottom.
- A blank strip along the bottom ⅝ inch. USPS prints its barcode there, so the template keeps ink out of it.
- Your message on the left, in a script font or plain print. Or leave it lined and write it with a pen.
Source: USPS Domestic Mail Manual 101 and Business Mail 101, Cards.
How do I print postcards at home?
Print on card stock at "Actual size", then cut on the crop marks.
- Load card stock, not printer paper. USPS wants a postcard between 0.007 and 0.016 inch thick. The pack may list this as 7 pt to 16 pt.
- Print page 1, the fronts. Choose "Actual size" or 100%. "Fit to page" shrinks the cards.
- Flip the sheet on the long edge and print page 2, the backs. Test on plain paper first and hold it up to a window to check the line-up.
- Cut on the crop marks. A paper trimmer gives straighter edges than scissors.
- Address it, stamp it and drop it in any mailbox.
What size is this postcard template?
4 x 6 inches, trimmed. That fits inside the USPS postcard limits (up to 6 x 4¼ inches), so it mails at the postcard price.
The print-shop PDF adds ⅛ inch of bleed on every side, making it 6¼ x 4¼. Our postcard size guide has every USPS limit and the other common sizes.
Blank postcard template for kids and classrooms
Choose Blank front and the template prints an empty frame to draw in, with a lined back. A class set of 30 takes 15 sheets of card stock.
Kids draw on the front and write a line on the back. A grown-up adds the address and the stamp.
Can I use this postcard template in Word, Google Docs or Canva?
Yes. Download the PNG back (1,875 x 1,275 pixels, 300 dpi), set it as the page background, and type on top. Set the page to 6¼ x 4¼ inches so it lines up.
Rather we print and mail it?
Our postcard maker that prints and mails it uses the same 4x6 layout. You add your photo, see both sides, and we print it on thick glossy card and mail it: $9.99, postage included.
| Item | At home | We mail it |
|---|---|---|
| Card | Your card stock | Glossy 4x6 |
| Stamp | You add it | Included |
| Mailbox trip | You | Us |
Postcard template FAQ
Is this postcard template really free?
Yes. Make and download as many as you like, without an account or an email address.
What paper should I print postcards on?
Card stock between 0.007 and 0.016 inch thick, the USPS postcard range. Packs often list thickness in points: 7 pt to 16 pt fits.
How do I make a postcard at home?
Add a photo and a message to the template, print it on card stock at actual size, and cut on the crop marks. Add a 65¢ postcard stamp and mail it.
Can I mail a postcard I printed myself?
Yes, if it's rectangular, 3½ to 4¼ inches tall, 5 to 6 inches long and 0.007 to 0.016 inch thick. A 4x6 card on card stock fits all four.
How much postage does a homemade postcard need?
One postcard stamp, 65¢, if it's within the postcard limits. Square or larger cards cost more; the postcard postage calculator has every case.
Where does the address go on a postcard?
On the right half of the back, under the stamp box, inside the lines the template prints. How to address a postcard has a labeled diagram.
What do I write on a postcard?
One line about what you're doing, one about them, then your name. What to write on a postcard has examples by occasion.
Can I fit four postcards on one page?
Not at 4x6: two fit on a US Letter sheet. Four to a page means 4¼ x 5½ cards, which still mail at the postcard price.
Can I send this template to a print shop?
Yes. Download the 4x6 PDF with bleed. It's the same ⅛-inch bleed spec FamilyLetter prints its own cards to.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. The PDF is made in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.
Sources: USPS DMM 101 (6.2.2, card dimensions); USPS Business Mail 101, Cards (address read area, barcode clear zone); checked October 13, 2026.