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Postcards & self-mailers

Table of Contents

Overview Postcards Dimensions & specs Ink-free zone dimensions Postcard best practices Self-mailers Dimensions & specs  Ink-free zone dimensions Self-mailer adhesives Design best practices Self-mailer best practices

Overview

A self-mailer is a type of direct mail that is used for promotional marketing purposes and mailed without an envelope. A self-mailer can be a simple postcard, a catalog, or a brochure that is folded any number of ways and sealed at the edge(s). 

Lob supports simple postcard and folded self-mailer form factors, both of which can be sent programmatically through our API and dashboard.

Postcards

Let's get started! Before sending postcards, check out the following resources:

Dimensions & specs

Layout dimensions

Be sure to follow the provided templates for the back of your postcard to leave room for the address and postage area:

Ink-free red zone includes address and postage indicia. Size of ink-free zone differs with postcard size.

Paper specs

We use a few pre-approved papers across our commercial printer network. In ensuring uniform quality and consistency across all of our mail pieces; each paper source specification must fall within a small range. The specification/value range pairs are listed below:

  • Basis Weight: 100# - 120# Cover
  • GSM: 255 - 325
  • Full Bleed 1 Side UV Gloss

Ink-free zone dimensions

4x6" Postcards:

  • W x H: 3.2835 x 2.375"
  • 0.275" from the right edge (including bleed)
  • 0.25" from the bottom edge (including bleed)

All other postcard sizes:

  • W x H: 4 x 2.375"
  • 0.275" from the right edge (including bleed)
  • 0.25" from the bottom edge (including bleed)

Postcard best practices

Ensure your postcards get to their final destination by following these guidelines:

  • The from field is not required for US postcards, but is required for international destinations
  • Only 4x6" postcards can be sent to international destinations
  • Postcards cannot include any PII outside of the no-ink zone
  • Avoid any prohibited artwork to ensure your mail does not get rejected by USPS  
  • 4x6" postcards can only be sent via First Class Mail; others can be sent as Marketing Mail (Standard Class Mail)

Self-mailers

Delete

Enterprise feature

This feature is exclusive to Enterprise edition customers. Upgrade your Print & Mail edition to gain access to this form factor, or reach out to our sales team to learn more.

Let’s get started! Before sending self-mailers, check out the following resources:



Dimensions & specs 

Layout dimensions

Lob currently supports the following self-mailers:

Be sure to follow our design templates carefully to ensure you place your design elements for each permutation, including the location of the adhesive, in the appropriate location. There are four panels available to customize for all bifolds, wherein one of the outside panels must have an ink-free zone for the address and postage area. 

Paper specs

We use a few pre-approved papers across our commercial printer network. In ensuring uniform quality and consistency across all of our mail pieces, each paper source specification must fall within a small range. The specification/value range pairs are listed below:

  • Basis Weight: 80# Cover with Gloss
  • GSM: 218
  • Full Bleed
  • 1 Side UV Gloss

Ink-free zone dimensions

  • 6x18" bifold self-mailer
    • W x H: 4 x 2.375"
    • 0.15" from the center fold line
    • 0.25" from the bottom edge (including bleed)
    • Placement: Left panel outside

  • 12x9" bifold self-mailer
    • W x H: 4 x 2.375"
    • 0.15" from the center fold line
    • 0.25" from the right edge (including bleed)
    • Placement: Top panel outside

  • 11x9" bifold self-mailer
    • W x H: 4 x 2.375"
    • 0.15" from the center fold line
    • 0.25" from the right edge (including bleed)
    • Placement: Top panel outside

Self-mailer adhesives

Stain-resistant, low tack, clear fugitive glue is used for adhesives on the folded self-mailers.

Glue is positioned within 0.25" of the opening edges and placed opposite the final fold. Glue is applied by one of the following methods:

  • Continuous glue line at least 0.125" wide 
  • Three or four glue spots at least 0.375" in diameter
  • Three or four elongated glue lines

Design best practices

In general, any artwork should be 0.125" away from the final trim line due to movement at press. Bleeds should extend 0.125" past the trim line. No critical design elements or text should be printed outside of the safe zone.

The preferred image submission format is a PDF file (.pdf), and all images should be 300 dpi or higher. Refer to our design guides‍ or API documentation for more details on image prepping, or browse our Template Gallery for pre-designed creatives to leverage as inspiration.

Note: Make sure all artwork submissions are facing upright for both inside and outside panels. Our printers will invert the inside panel of submitted customer artwork during the production phase. 

Self-mailer best practices

Ensure your self-mailers get to their final destination by following these guidelines:

  • The from field is required for all self-mailers, regardless of the destination
  • Self-mailers should not contain any PII outside of the no-ink zone
  • Avoid any prohibited artwork to ensure your mail does not get rejected by USPS 
  • HIPAA-compliant self-mailers are not offered at this time, as self-mailers are not placed in envelopes
  • Mailing Class options may differ based on its destination and use case (e.g. promotional vs transactional)

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