Friday Print Tip: Preparing a 4x6 or 5x7 Postcard for Print
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
How to Set Up a 4x6 Postcard for Print (Bleed and Document Size)
Postcards look simple. Just a small card with a message.
But on the print floor, 4x6 and 5x7 postcards are among the most common places where small file mistakes show up after printing. A design that looks perfect on screen can create unexpected results once it’s trimmed and handled.
The good news is that most of these issues are easy to prevent with a quick preflight before sending the file.
Here are the checks we recommend before submitting a postcard for print.
Start With the Correct Size and Bleed
If your postcard has a photo or background colour that reaches the edge, the artwork needs to extend past the trim line. This is called bleed, and it prevents thin white edges after cutting.
For postcards, the standard bleed is 0.125 inches on all sides.
That means your document size should be:
4.25" × 6.25" for a finished 4" × 6" postcard
5.25" × 7.25" for a finished 5" × 7" postcard
Without bleed, even a perfectly printed card can show a white line along the edge after trimming.
Keep Important Content Inside a Safe Margin
Designers often place text or logos too close to the edge of a postcard. While it may look balanced on screen, trimming tolerances can make the spacing feel uneven once printed.
As a general guideline, keep all important content at least 0.125"–0.25" inside the trim edge.
This applies to:
phone numbers
QR codes
logos
promotional offers
address information
Giving your layout a little breathing room almost always results in a more professional finished piece.
Be Careful With Borders
Thin borders around postcards are one of the most common design issues we see.
Even with precise production equipment, printing and trimming have normal mechanical tolerances. A border that sits very close to the edge can make tiny shifts look exaggerated, leaving one side thicker than the other.
On small pieces like postcards, tight borders often cause more problems than they solve.
If you like the framed look, consider making the border thicker and placing it further inside the layout.
Check Your Text at Actual Size
Postcards are compact, which means text that looks fine when zoomed in may feel cramped once printed.
Before exporting your file, view the design at 100% size and check that headlines, contact details, and calls to action are easy to read.
This quick check often reveals spacing or size issues that aren’t obvious during design.
Use the Right Colour Mode
Design software often defaults to RGB, which is intended for screens.
Printing uses CMYK, and converting colours late in the process can sometimes shift tones—especially bright blues, greens, and saturated colours.
If the final piece is going to print, it’s best to design the file in CMYK from the beginning.
Don’t Forget the Back of the Postcard
The back side is often treated as an afterthought, but it plays an important role in how the postcard works.
Whether the piece is mailed or handed out, the back should have a clean layout that clearly separates:
the message
the offer or call to action
contact information
mailing space if required
A little structure on the back side makes the piece easier to read and more effective.
A Quick Preflight That Saves Time
Before sending a postcard file to print, do a quick 30-second check:
Confirm the document size includes bleed
Check that backgrounds extend past the trim
Make sure text is not too close to the edge
Look for thin borders near the trim line
Review the design at 100% size
Postcards may be small, but small-format printing leaves very little room for file mistakes.
A quick preflight helps ensure the finished piece looks exactly as intended.
