Printing Postcards FAQ's

Printing POSTCARDS: FAQ's

PRINTING YOUR POSTCARDS AT URBAN PRESS

Frequently Asked Questions

I have my design already – what do I do? If you have your design all ready to go, just click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL. We will be glad to provide any pricing or information you may need.

Just Starting to Plan? If you are just getting started with planning your postcard marketing and design process, we recommend the following steps. If you have your design all ready to go, just click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL.

1) Ask the important planning questions: What is my target market? What is our budget? What is my timeline? How will I track the effectiveness of the postcard? Will I do a single card or a series of cards? Do I have a mailing list, or do I need to buy one?

2) Pull together samples of designs and sizes that you like, or do your best to jot down some notes about size of the finished piece; size of the card; type of paper; full color vs. black and white.

3) Get printing estimates for your idea – that will help determine the feasibility of your vision - BEFORE you design it. Use our handy request form to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL.

4) Determine the approximate cost of mailing. The Postal Service rules for postcards are quite different for Bulk Rate than they are for First Class Mail. This is important because bulk mail allows for much larger sizes at affordable rates. The US Postal Service provides information online or you can consult our favorite mailing service, Yes! The Mailroom, or any other mail service.

5) Have your card designed, or do it yourself. Urban Press can help with simple layout, but we do not have a full-fledged design capability. We can recommend a designer if you need. Remember: there really is no substitute for good design.

What factors will impact the cost of printing my postcard?

Finished Size: What is the largest size postcard Urban Press can print? What are some standard sizes? What is the smallest size?

Urban Press can print sheets of paper that are up to 13 x 19 inches. We normally print as many cards on a sheet as possible, so some sizes are more cost effective because we can print more at once.

If you are mailing with a First Class Stamp you are very limited: the card can’t be bigger than 4.25" x 6".

Bulk Rate is much more flexible and allow larger cards to mail at reasonable costs. Bulk rate terminology is confusing, but in general, pieces that measure up to 6.128" x 11.5” are considered “letters” and mail at the same postage rate as smaller bulk mailed pieces. We recommend you consult the US Postal Service or a mailing service like Yes! The Mailroom for more information.

Paper: Glossy or not? How glossy? Is it heavy enough to mail? Many things about paper are relative and subjective. We have a full line of papers available and you can specify a paper, describe a paper, or come on down and look at samples.

Full color vs. black only vs. two color:  Many postcards are printed in full color, but it doesn’t have to be so. An attractive, eye-catching design is what you want, and that can be black and white, 2 color or full color. We often do cards that are full color on one side and black only on the other – a money saving compromise. The gals at Urban Press are happy to provide you with estimates for a variety of printing options!

Quantity:  Don’t be fooled, we just mean how many of the finished cards do you want? Printing is a business where per-piece pricing is more advantageous in larger quantities. We can supply you with pricing for smaller and larger quantities, so you can see that price curve. Urban Press doesn’t want to sell you more than you can use, but repeating a job in a month or two can be really expensive.

What is a union bug? How about a recycle bug?  A union bug is small symbol that indicates your materials were printed by workers who belong to a labor union. Urban Press is a union shop and we are happy to include our “union bug” on your literature pieces at your request. This is especially important if you want to indicate that your materials were printed under fair working conditions.

A recycle bug indicates that your literature was printed on paper that includes recycled fiber content. Urban Press can recommend a variety of sheets that range from 10% to 100% post consumer recycled content, and even paper that was manufactured using wind power.

Have no fear, no insects were killed in the printing of “bugs” on your postcards.

Do you offer mailing services?  While we do not offer in-house mailing services, we collaborate with a owner-operated union shop – Yes! The Mailroom. We are happy to make a complimentary delivery of your mail piece to Yes! (upon receipt of payment – of course) but ask that you contact Winston Keys, owner of Yes! The Mailroom, directly to arrange the details of your mailing.

What are my next steps?  Complete our handy on-line Estimate Request Form or feel free to call us, or drop by in person (between 8AM – 4:30PM, M-Fri) to discuss your piece(s).

	Printing Postcards FAQ's Printing POSTCARDS: FAQ's PRINTING YOUR POSTCARDS AT URBAN PRESS Frequently Asked Questions I have my design already – what do I do? If you have your design all ready to go, just click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL. We will be glad to provide any pricing or information you may need. Just Starting to Plan? If you are just getting started with planning your postcard marketing and design process, we recommend the following steps. If you have your design all ready to go, just click here to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL. 1) Ask the important planning questions: What is my target market? What is our budget? What is my timeline? How will I track the effectiveness of the postcard? Will I do a single card or a series of cards? Do I have a mailing list, or do I need to buy one? 2) Pull together samples of designs and sizes that you like, or do your best to jot down some notes about size of the finished piece; size of the card; type of paper; full color vs. black and white. 3) Get printing estimates for your idea – that will help determine the feasibility of your vision - BEFORE you design it. Use our handy request form to REQUEST AN ESTIMATE or just give us a CALL. 4) Determine the approximate cost of mailing. The Postal Service rules for postcards are quite different for Bulk Rate than they are for First Class Mail. This is important because bulk mail allows for much larger sizes at affordable rates. The US Postal Service provides information online or you can consult our favorite mailing service, Yes! The Mailroom, or any other mail service. 5) Have your card designed, or do it yourself. Urban Press can help with simple layout, but we do not have a full-fledged design capability. We can recommend a designer if you need. Remember: there really is no substitute for good design. What factors will impact the cost of printing my postcard? Finished Size: What is the largest size postcard Urban Press can print? What are some standard sizes? What is the smallest size? Urban Press can print sheets of paper that are up to 13 x 19 inches. We normally print as many cards on a sheet as possible, so some sizes are more cost effective because we can print more at once. If you are mailing with a First Class Stamp you are very limited: the card can’t be bigger than 4.25" x 6". Bulk Rate is much more flexible and allow larger cards to mail at reasonable costs. Bulk rate terminology is confusing, but in general, pieces that measure up to 6.128" x 11.5” are considered “letters” and mail at the same postage rate as smaller bulk mailed pieces. We recommend you consult the US Postal Service or a mailing service like Yes! The Mailroom for more information. Paper: Glossy or not? How glossy? Is it heavy enough to mail? Many things about paper are relative and subjective. We have a full line of papers available and you can specify a paper, describe a paper, or come on down and look at samples. Full color vs. black only vs. two color:  Many postcards are printed in full color, but it doesn’t have to be so. An attractive, eye-catching design is what you want, and that can be black and white, 2 color or full color. We often do cards that are full color on one side and black only on the other – a money saving compromise. The gals at Urban Press are happy to provide you with estimates for a variety of printing options! Quantity:  Don’t be fooled, we just mean how many of the finished cards do you want? Printing is a business where per-piece pricing is more advantageous in larger quantities. We can supply you with pricing for smaller and larger quantities, so you can see that price curve. Urban Press doesn’t want to sell you more than you can use, but repeating a job in a month or two can be really expensive. What is a union bug? How about a recycle bug?  A union bug is small symbol that indicates your materials were printed by workers who belong to a labor union. Urban Press is a union shop and we are happy to include our “union bug” on your literature pieces at your request. This is especially important if you want to indicate that your materials were printed under fair working conditions. A recycle bug indicates that your literature was printed on paper that includes recycled fiber content. Urban Press can recommend a variety of sheets that range from 10% to 100% post consumer recycled content, and even paper that was manufactured using wind power. Have no fear, no insects were killed in the printing of “bugs” on your postcards. Do you offer mailing services?  While we do not offer in-house mailing services, we collaborate with a owner-operated union shop – Yes! The Mailroom. We are happy to make a complimentary delivery of your mail piece to Yes! (upon receipt of payment – of course) but ask that you contact Winston Keys, owner of Yes! The Mailroom, directly to arrange the details of your mailing. What are my next steps?  Complete our handy on-line Estimate Request Form or feel free to call us, or drop by in person (between 8AM – 4:30PM, M-Fri) to discuss your piece(s).		Introduction Products & Services Request An Estimate Send A File First Time Customer? Regular Customer? Printing Postcards FAQ's