Postcard format for conferences

[LauraA]

Hi! I'm making a paper postcard for Bologna (it's week after next). Until now I've only done digital, one-sided postcards, because of Covid. Googling some examples this morning, I see that some of them are like literal postcards, with an image on the front and a line down the middle of the back, lines for the addressee, and a place for a stamp. Is this still the way it's done? Or for an in person event would it be better to just do an image on one side with my name and a smaller image with the socials on the back?

I may, in fact, do two separate cards, one for Bologna with a Dante image and one to mail when I go the the US in June with a finished Hansel and Gretel image from my book dummy. Anyway, I was just wondering how they are done now and if literal postcards are still a thing. Any pointers? Thanks!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@lauraa as far as I can tell from the research I've done, there are no hard and fast rules for postcards. Most recommend that postcards be standard size for postage. But all you really need is to make sure you have contact information for ADs or editors to get a hold of you.

If it helps to compare, here is the latest postcard I printed, just before Covid.

[LauraA]

@melissa_bailey Good point! I didn't take standard US mailing sizes into consideration. I'll have to look that up.

Your postcard is really nice! That gives me an idea of what I'm going for. Thanks!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@lauraa you're welcome! 4" x 6" is a standard size. If you order postcards online they usually have a standard postcard size to choose from.

[LauraA]

@melissa_bailey I'm getting these done locally, so I can see how they come out and also get them done quickly. But you're right that I need to make the mailer ones a standard size.