How to Make Your Own Print Postcards

A homemade postcard printing can be just as attractive as the ones bought in the store or bookshop. In fact, a few simple design principles can make any postcard printing as elegant and eye-catching to your target audience. In just 30 minutes or less than a few hours, you can have your very own print postcards by using simple desktop publishing and design tips.

1- Use appropriate software for your color postcard print.

If you have been doing your full color postcards for quite some time now, you would be very familiar with software programs such as InDesign, Pagemaker, and PowerPoint even to design your project. But if you’re fairly new to this type of publishing, you might want to check out other consumer software. There are plenty of templates and layout you could choose from to help you start right away. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the basic operation first before you begin making your own print postcard.

2- Choose your format.

Even before you start designing, you have to think first of what you would want for your print postcards. What is the tone of your card? Will it be funny, romantic, serious, vertically oriented or horizontal? Would you want your postcard to have the standard rectangular shape? Or you would rather have an oval-shaped card to be different? Having a format in mind can help you speed up the design process even if you intend to use a ready-made template for your project.

3- Set up your file.

Your template most probably has a blank document to set up your postcard. Either you use the template or design your layout from scratch in your desired shape and size. Either way, make sure to have a dummy for your project so you could tweak it until you finally have the design you like.

4- Select your images and pictures, and then modify.

You can get your graphics from available clip art found in your software, or you can use your own ready stock of photos. Just remember to keep it simple as you would not want to clutter a very limited space such as your postcard printing. Depending on the identity you would want to have, your graphics can contribute big time to the overall appearance of your card. When you are done choosing your image, do not forget to make simple changes to your graphics. A different size or color may work better on your layout.

5- Select your font, and arrange your words and graphics for consistency.

Do not overuse your fonts. Stick to just one or two types. The less you have, the less distracting it would be for your readers. And make sure that your font and images complement each other. They should convey the same tone and idea for a consistent overall look.

6- Proofread and print your postcard.

Finally, check your final proof before printing your color postcards on your choice of paper stock. Check everything from your text and graphics, to the final layout. Print just one copy at high quality to check the color and ink coverage. If you like what you see then go ahead and print.

A postcard made by you is so much better than print postcards done commercially in a way that it has more meaning to the giver as well as to the recipient. Postcard printing that is ‘homemade’ has more meaning because the person who made it gave time, energy and effort to the project.

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