Note cards are similar to postcards, with some minor differences. Postcards usually don’t have envelopes and aren’t folded. However, businesses typically send folded note cards using envelopes for a more professional look.

Designing small-sized note cards is easier compared to broader and multi-page items, like brochures and catalogs. Yet, you must put some effort into their designs because they can grab your audience’s attention or turn them away. It depends on what they first see when they open the envelope and look at your branded note cards. 

Next comes note card printing and mailing, which are more complex than designing. Hence, you need a solid solution to complete these tasks on time and without hassles, like using PostGrid’s Print & Mail API and dashboard. This blog covers all the details on note card print and mail and how to get started!

Key Takeaways

• Printing note cards means creating high-quality cards to send to your customers and prospects. 
• You can print note cards by yourself or use a service to handle printing and mailing.
• Most note card printing services provide design help, so you don’t need a graphic designer. Note cards are usually sent in envelopes, but that’s optional.
• Popular note card sizes are 4.25” x 5.5”, 5” x 7”, and 5.5” x 8.5”. They can be folded or flat, but it is best not to fold the smallest size to keep it noticeable.
• PostGrid allows you to design, print, and ship note cards online. You can also integrate the API into your system to automatically fetch details for personalization.

It refers to printing small yet high-quality cards that can be used for short and crisp messages, thank-you notes, invitations, and offer purposes. This card is printed on cardstock (thick and durable paper) and can be customized as per your specifics. For instance, you can include a custom design, logo, message, font, layout, or image.

B/W and Full-Color Printing

There are two note card elements you must know about: the inside page and the outside cover. You might choose an aesthetic black and white cover to maintain suspense and push people to discover what’s inside. Then, you can have brightly colored artwork inside that offers customers your product or service details. 

Similarly, you can use other combinations, like full color or all black and white, based on your needs. Most note card printing and shipping solutions help you with the artwork so you can move to the production stage without hiring a graphic designer. 

Optional Envelopes

Though companies send note cards inside envelopes, it is optional. You can treat note cards like postcards and skip this step to save money or when you want recipients to see your message immediately. 

Envelopes give your customers an idea that you are formally contacting them for business. Hence, it is better to use them with note cards to announce a product launch or invite them to a trade show to increase foot traffic. 

You can avoid using envelopes when sending less formal mailers, like birthday or anniversary cards, to greet customers on their special days. Furthermore, it is always advisable not to send note cards with envelopes when contacting new leads because they might consider them junk mail.

High-End Personalization

Note card printing uses hyper-personalization to allow businesses to send tailored messages only. You can personalize various elements, like:

• The recipient’s name
• Mailing address
• Message
• Headings
• Calls-to-action (CTAs)
• Discount offers
• Images

Of course, it depends on your printing and shipping service provider, but most vendors let you personalize everything. For example, PostGrid’s Print & Mail solution helps you upload merge variables when creating your card designs using its templates. You can add additional columns to your mailing lists to incorporate details you wish to personalize.

 Also Read: Best Print and Mail Services

You can leverage many note card printing sizes according to how much content you want to add. Here are some popular choices:

4.25” x 5.5”

Based on your messaging, you can send these note cards as unfolded or unfolded. It is ideal for note cards because they aren’t too small or big. You can print a short message or tagline on the front and expand on it on the back with your contact information.

5″ x 7″ 

This size is broader and can accommodate more details. Businesses should discuss their products or services in depth. They can list their benefits or create a table highlighting their features and why people should choose them over competitors. 

5.5″ x 8.5″

These note cards are extensive, helping you stand out from other mailers in your recipients’ mailboxes. They can instantly draw attention to your brand. It is unnecessary to fill up the whole space; you can always add the exact details as you would to a 5″ x 7″ card. Fill up the negative space with branded graphics or use an appealing background color. 

You can use these note card printing sizes as folded or unfolded. However, it is best not to fold the small 4.25″ x 5.5″ cards because they might be too small for people to pay attention to. Companies can look into custom sizes if their needs differ and they want to experiment with different formats. 

Apart from note card sizes, you can select from paper stock options, including:

• 100# uncoated cover
• 100# glossy cover
• 120# dull or matte cover
• 120# glossy cover
• 160# dull or matte cover
• 160# glossy cover

Glossy paper options are best when your message has bright colors and interesting aspects. You can choose dull or matte covers for a more sophisticated look and less formal messaging. Always ask your provider which options are available, and get some samples beforehand to get a feel for the note cards’ look and feel.

 Also Read: Best Print and Mail checks Services

According to LimeLeads, direct mail has a response rate of between 2.9% and 5.3%, whereas emails only get a response rate of 0.6%. This massive difference shows how much people like traditional snail mail over new-age digital messages.

Note cards are best to connect with your audience because they show that your business took the time to jot down and send a personal message. It strengthens your organization-customer relationship and increases brand recognition and trustworthiness. 

Here are some design tips you can use to make your marketing note cards more successful:

Use Colors That Represent Your Brand

You might be excited to use various colors in your messages to make your artwork pop. However, it won’t produce the desired results unless you use them to build your brand image. Thus, always use a color palette that complements your branding. Maintain consistency to improve brand recall and let people know your authenticity. 

Leverage Foil Stamping and Embossing

Businesses can create different textures when using note card printing. It makes a better impression in front of your recipients because they can feel the effort you put into your direct mail items. You can emboss your envelopes with your logos or use foil stamping to make your note cards look unique. 

Make Your Contact Details Visible

Don’t hide your contact information between note card messages. You must guide your customers toward calling or emailing you if they enjoy the mailpiece and want more details about your products and services. Always distinguish between your messages and brand details to help people know whom to contact and how to move ahead in their buyer journeys. 

Add Relevant Imagery

Note cards are as good as their graphics, so use imagery that resonates with your audience and makes them think. You can use aesthetic images or add some pictures of your existing clients with their testimonials. Also, you can add your product or service-related pictures that help people understand what you offer.

 Also Read: Real Estate Thank-You Notes With Templates

PostGrid’s Print & Mail API and dashboard enable you to handle all tasks online, including designing, producing, and shipping note cards. Thus, your staff need not perform manual tasks such as printing thousands of mailpieces, inserting, sorting, affixing stamps, etc. You can also cut expenses by not investing in the necessary print equipment and buying perishables such as envelopes, stamps, ink cartridges, labels, etc. Here are some of our most advanced features to help you:

1. Address Verification: This feature checks if an address is accurate and deliverable before mailing. It helps avoid returned mail, saves money, and ensures customers receive it promptly.
2. HTML and PDF Templates: Companies can create, edit, and reuse custom templates for postcards, letters, and more. It saves time and keeps branding and messaging consistent across all mailings.
3. Per-Piece Tracking: Every mailed item gets an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) to monitor its journey. Businesses can see when mail is sent, in transit, and delivered, reducing guesswork.
4. Scalability: PostGrid handles mail of any size, from a single letter to thousands at once. It grows with business needs, letting you send high-volume mail without hassle. Thus, you can send invoices, conduct marketing campaigns, or mail customer updates without manual work.
5. Campaign Insights: Users get detailed reports on mail performance, including delivery rates and customer engagement. It helps improve future campaigns and accurately measure results.

Contact our sales team to start planning and executing note card printing and mailing now!