Bob has been in Printing and Mailing since 1995. He is the President of GagePress.com and has worked with businesses to improve their ROI in the Direct Mail field.
I am constantly asked that if I had to give just one piece of advice in designing a postcard what would it be? I always answer: KEEP IT SIMPLE! Good designers are like a sculptor who know that they are not done until there is nothing left to take away. The same applies in postcard design, I even wrote an article called "Picture Perfect Postcard" that addresses the fact that less is more. But I always add that while keeping it simple with a clear message is the most important thing, there is a second piece of advice that I give designers.
When you go to your mailbox to check the mail, you and hundreds of millions of other Americans all do the same thing; you look to see who sent the letter (hoping it is not a Bill!) and check to see who the letter is addressed to. You can't help it, it is instinctual. And it always amazes me that graphic designers do not take advantage of this part of human nature.
When you have distilled down your message and/or call to action to a clear and concise phrase of 3 or 4 words, put that message in a place that people are going to look. If you were advertising on a billboard you wouldn't put your key message in small lettering at the bottom of the sign. In the same way, don't hide the core message of what you want your potential customers to see on the front (the non-address side of the card) of the postcard. Instead, in a large BOLD font put your message as close to the address area that you can. Perhaps put it on an offset angle. Take advantage of the fact that people will automatically look there to see who the letter was addressed to - so give them something else to look at. Designers think that the most important side of the card is the front, when in actuality it is the address side of the card that gets the most attention from the addressee.
Help your customers to see what you paid for them to see. Work with them to get noticed.
For more information visit our website: http://www.gagepress.com
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Fast Overnight Printing in New York City - Color Copies, Brochures, Postcards and Flyer Printing
- 6 Ways to Use your Postcard to Market your Business
- Compare Brochure Prices and Find the Best Deals
- Postcard Marketing - an Effective Marketing Tool
- The Best Overnight Brochure Printing Services are Available Now at Blockbusterprint.com for Cheap Prices
- 10 Steps To Maximize Your Postcard Campaign
- Linking your Postcards to your Website
- Is This your Type? - 5 Types of Brochures to Choose From




Direct Mail Postcard - Sell Your Promotion, Not Your Company
By: Travis Grant | 22/12/2009The number one mistake people tend to make when creating a postcard for direct mail is that they try to sell their whole company, instead of just a particular promotion.
Targeted Vs Saturation Mailing List
By: Travis Grant | 22/12/2009There are two types of lists that can be used to target potential clients with a direct mail piece. The first way would be to do a "saturation" mailing. A saturation mailing list is compiled by mailing to everyone on a mail carrier's route. A "targeted " list is compiled using specific demographical criteria.
Direct Mail - Postcards Vs Enveloped Mailing
By: Travis Grant | 22/12/2009Every day that I go to work I am asked this same question by our potential clients: "I need new clients. Should I mail a postcard or a letter?"
Getting Paid to Ship YOUR Company’s Packages?
By: David Weng | 21/12/2009Soon you may, with Pay-Per-Ship technology
12sky2 Guide Manual Changing of Resolution
By: aaasss | 21/12/2009Having a bit of a backround in java and mIRC coding, we recognized what it was. For those who understand it already, congrats, you now know how to change your resolution of the game(12Sky2 Silver) to anything. Just be careful, when you run it on high resolution, it puts more of a strain on your video card, so we would not recommend really high resolutions to people with less powerful machines. If you have graphical lag at your current resolution, do not turn it up.
Tricks when buying DVD movies for the teenage boys
By: mybagshops | 14/12/2009Watching movies is one of our favorite past times. You can find DVD movies for sale everywhere. Just look at how much money is spent at the box office each week. And it's not just going to the theater that captivates us. We just like movies. It's a great form of entertainment that anyone of any age or any fitness level can enjoy.
Ideal Christmas gifts ideas for you!
By: mybagshops | 12/12/2009Usually, as long as some festival is on its way, we should think about complimenting away the gifts to our friends, relatives, classmates, teachers, workmates and many
Maximize your Mortgage Direct Mail Results by Increasing Your Postal IQ
By: Influence Direct | 10/12/2009By fully understanding the US Postal Service and how they operate, you can plan your mortgage direct mail campaigns to deliver on days for best results.
Divide Your Direct Mail Costs
By: Bob Waters | 15/07/2009 | Direct MailHere is a good way to reach your customers through Direct Mail but at the fraction of the cost of a solo mailing - have several business split the cost to advertise on the same mailing.
Support Your Local Mailhouse
By: Bob Waters | 14/07/2009 | Direct MailSave time and save money by using a Mailhouse for you mailings. If you weren't a believer before reading this article you will be one afterwards.
Bookmark It!
By: Bob Waters | 13/07/2009 | PrintingSave money by using the humble bookmark to keep your name in front of customers and potential customers.
Gang Up On Your Printing
By: Bob Waters | 13/07/2009 | PrintingHow to save money on your printing when you have multiple versions to print.
Pimp Out Your Postcard
By: Bob Waters | 12/07/2009 | Direct MailThere are a lot of ways to add bells and whistles to make your postcard mailing standout from the crowd.
Calendars - Make each day count
By: Bob Waters | 11/07/2009 | PrintingSimple tips to maximize your ROI with your Company Calendar.
Attract More Business with Magnet Postcards
By: Bob Waters | 11/07/2009 | Direct MailKeep your name in front of consumers for a weeks and months by making your Magnet Postcard indespensible to them.
Save a LOT of money by Drop-Shipping your mailing
By: Bob Waters | 11/07/2009 | Direct MailThe major expense of almost every mailing is postage, take advantage of USPS discounts and save up to 20% of your postage by drop-shipping your mail.