Let's start simple. Perhaps the easiest way to take a break from the digital is by keeping Everyday Prints on hand to use as postcards. Just write a little note on the back and send it off via snail mail, pairing familiar handwriting with a much-needed friendly face. It's the perfect touch of intention, inspired by the disappearing beauty of the tangible.
Pro tip: Our 5 x 3.5" and 6 x 4" Everyday Print sizes can be sent with a postcard stamp, or you can send any other rectangular size with first-class postage. Square prints sent in envelopes will require additional postage.
Creative postcard ideas aren't all about the photos. One of our favorites is as simple as coming up with a funny or warm greeting that can be stylized and put in the spotlight. Just make sure to save your words as a .jpg or .png image so that you can upload the greeting when creating your project. Then, use it for the front of your Design Your Own Flat Card, while placing our downloadable postcard template (you'll find it at the end of this article!) on the back.
Pro tip: You can use a free tool like Canva to give your words a little design love. Or, keep it simple by choosing your favorite font, writing it up in a Google Doc, and taking a screenshot.
Do you have a flair for illustration? Use your gift to prompt momentary peace and escape by creating postcards that friends and family can color in. Much like meditation, coloring can help us switch off our brains, fully and mindfully immersing ourselves in the task at hand. So draw something up, scan it, and create a stack of homemade postcards sure to bring zen (and smiles) to everyone's faces.
Pro tip: Our guide to scanning old photos has some simple tips to help you digitize your drawing.
Look back on old adventures with those who lived them with you. All it takes is your favorite photo together from your travels. Sending a print of the scene is the perfect way to reminisce on times shared, while letting them know you can't wait for those to come.
Pro tip: If you use an Everyday Print, don't forget our postage guidelines from idea 01!
Here's a fun way to give those DIY postcards a personal touch, while adding onto idea 02 (just make sure you have a blank background behind your words!). Once you have the postcards in hand, add watercolors, paint, stickers, doodles, or whatever speaks to your mood and creativity in the moment. You might just love making them as much as your recipients love receiving them.
Pro tip: If you use watercolor or other paint, make sure not to saturate the card too much, so as to avoid warping.
This most palate pleasing of creative postcard ideas celebrates a tradition that's as time-honored as any: sharing recipes. After all, nothing speaks to our connection with friends and family quite like food. There are even a few postcards layout ideas you can use to bring this one to life. You can skip the envelope by placing recipe directions on the front and our downloadable postcard template on the back — or, add a visual element by placing photos of the meal on the front and the recipe on the back.
Pro tip: You'll need to save your recipe directions as an image to add them to your card. The easiest way to do so is to type them up and take a screenshot.
Family members at a distance are surely curious about what the kiddo has been up to. Why not show off their latest and greatest creations by turning them into DIY postcards? Their grandma, grandpa, aunt, and beyond are all going to love seeing how the little one has been keeping busy. Plus, it's something you can add to your list of fun family activities.
Pro tip: For an extra touch, send along a thoughtfully-selected magnet that recipients can use to display their postcard on the fridge proudly.
Everyone loves an obscure fact, now and again. Be the friend that brings niche and sometimes silly knowledge into people's lives with postcards that put the facts front and center. There's no telling what you can find with a simple Google search for "interesting facts." One thing's for sure: they will have never received anything in the mail quite like it.
Pro tip: The same guidance from idea 02 applies here.
We all have those quotes from mentors, authors, or even celebrities that are near and dear to our outlooks on life. Using these sayings for the front of your creation is a thoughtful means of bringing intention to homemade postcards. The silly-but-profound words of Dr. Seuss, the sage wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr., the comedic quips of a cousin… find your spark and use it to create joy.
Pro tip: Don't forget to add the name of the speaker to give credit where credit is due!
Bring a fun, interactive element to your DIY postcards by turning them into makeshift Mad Libs. If you're not familiar, Mad Libs are usually short two- to three-sentence stories that leave certain words blank, to be filled in by the recipient. If you're not sure how to set yours up, use the example in the photo above to guide you.
Pro tip: Leave adequate space between your lines so that whoever is filling it out has room to write their words in.
As far as we're concerned, the little things in life should be celebrated. What you deem meaningful, and how you honor it, is all up to you — and we could all take a little more time for the small moments that create joy. Sure, something like adopting a rescue kitten may not quite be the same as announcing a wedding, but it's still plenty of reason for a good mail day in our book.
Pro tip: From pets to people, we have plenty of photography tips to help you make an image for your postcard.
If you're planning on using a print, no need to read on. But if you plan to use our Design Your Own Flat card for your project, here are the simple steps you'll need to follow.
01
Download our free postcard back template. (Tap "Download," right-click on the image, and save it to your computer or camera roll.)
02
Start your project by visiting Design Your Own Flat Cards and tapping "Customize This Card."
03
Upload the postcard template and a .png or .jpg file of your front image to the editor by creating a gallery.
04
Place your image on the front and the postcard template on the back.
05
Get ready for your own good mail day!
Create. Stamp. Send.
