How to Address Postcards for a Mailing: Step-by-Step

A beautifully designed postcard does no good if it cannot be delivered. USPS has clear rules for where the address, postage, and barcode go, and following them is what keeps your mailing deliverable and eligible for discounted bulk rates. Here is the layout, step by step.

The address side has zones

The back of your postcard (the address side) is divided into a message area on the left and an address block on the right. Everything in the address zone has a designated place.

Element	Where it goes
Postage / indicia	Top-right corner
Return address	Top-left of the address side
Recipient address	Lower-right, within the address block
Barcode (IMb)	Below the address or in the barcode clear zone
Message / offer	Left portion of the address side (optional)

Step by step

1. Reserve the right half of the back for the address block. Keep your design and message out of it.
2. Place postage top-right. Whether it is a stamp, meter, or printed indicia, it goes in the upper-right corner.
3. Add the return address top-left. This lets undeliverable pieces come back to you, valuable feedback for cleaning your list.
4. Print the recipient address in the lower-right zone, in a clean, scannable font.
5. Leave the barcode clear zone empty so the Intelligent Mail barcode can be read.

Why correct addressing saves money

When addresses are formatted correctly and barcoded, your mail qualifies for automation discounts, the postage savings that make direct mail affordable at volume. Poorly formatted mail gets kicked to manual handling, costs more, and risks non-delivery.

Let us handle the addressing

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