Postcard Maker

About this tool

A postcard is one of the few physical formats with a strict layout convention: a hero image on the front with a caption strip, and on the back, a divider down the middle separating a handwritten message from the recipient's address and stamp box. This tool gives you both sides at A6 landscape (148×105 mm) — the international postcard standard. Drop in a hero photo, type a headline and caption, then flip to the back to add the recipient's name, address, and your message. The two sides preview live, and the PDF export packages them as a two-page document ready for double-sided printing at any print shop. PNG export per side is available for digital sharing, social media, or sending as an email attachment to a friend.

Why use it

• Proper Postcard Convention: Real postcards have a strict back-side layout — a vertical divider, a stamp box, and an address area. This tool respects the convention so postal services and print shops accept the design without manual rework.

• Two-Page PDF for Double-Sided Print: PDF export packs front and back as a two-page document. Print shops can run double-sided printing directly without merging multiple files.

• A6 Landscape — International Postcard Standard: The canvas matches 148×105 mm exactly. Print shops worldwide accept this size for postcard print runs.

• Browser-Only — No Upload, No Account: Hero image upload, canvas compositing, and PDF generation all run locally. Photos never leave the browser.

• Live Preview Per Side: Switch Side preview between Front and Back to see each side render in real time. Fix typos and adjust colors without committing to a print first.

• Free, Unlimited Generation: Make 50 save-the-dates by editing only the recipient name and exporting one PDF per couple. No daily quota, no premium gate.

How to use

1. Upload a hero photo for the front (any common format works).
2. Type the headline and caption that appear on the colored front strip.
3. Switch to back-side preview to add the recipient name, address, and your message.
4. Pick an accent and background color via the swatches.
5. Watch each side preview live — toggle Front/Back as needed.
6. Download a PNG of the current side or a two-page PDF with both sides for double-sided printing.

When it helps

• When traveling and you want to send a real postcard from a hotel print shop without buying a generic one.
• When designing save-the-date cards for a wedding and you want both photo front and address back in a single export.
• When running a small marketing campaign with branded tear-offs that recipients can mail back.
• When organising a school field trip and the class wants to send postcards home from the destination.
• When making souvenir cards for a museum gift shop or art gallery without paying a designer.
• When iterating between hero images and captions before committing to a print run of 100+ cards.

Examples

Tips

• Hero photos with a strong horizon and uncluttered subject read best — landscape over portrait, daytime over night.
• Headline reads best at 5–7 words — the headline and caption are single lines that do not wrap or shrink, so check the preview for text running off the edge.
• The stamp box is a filled accent-colored rectangle labeled STAMP, about 13.5 × 17 mm at print size — check it covers your stamp, or simply stick the stamp on top.
• Use a high-resolution hero photo (3000 px on the long edge or larger) for sharp print at A6.
• Print shops require trim-size PDFs at A6 landscape — this export ships exactly that, so you can hand it over without a prepress conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary

A6 landscape

An ISO 216 paper size of 148×105 mm in landscape orientation. The international postcard standard accepted by postal services worldwide.

Stamp box

The area in the top-right corner of a postcard back where the postage stamp is affixed. In this tool it is an accent-colored rectangle labeled STAMP, roughly 13.5 × 17 mm at A6 print size.

Address divider

The vertical line down the middle of a postcard back, separating the handwritten message (left) from the recipient address (right). Standard postal convention.

Caption strip

The colored horizontal band at the bottom of a postcard front that holds the headline and short caption. Distinct from the photo so it remains legible regardless of image content.

Trim size

The final cut size of a printed postcard after the printer trims excess paper. A6 landscape trim is 148×105 mm. Add bleed if your print shop requires it.

Two-page PDF

A PDF document with two sequential pages — front then back. Print shops process this as a duplex job, printing both sides automatically without separate file submissions.