4X6 Postcard Printing: The Complete Guide
Ready to print? 4X6 postcards start at $50 for 100 pieces — full color, ships in 1–2 business days.
Order Now →- 4X6 is the most affordable postcard size and qualifies for USPS first-class postcard postage — the lowest mailing rate available.
- It's best for high-volume campaigns, coupons, announcements, and any situation where cost-per-piece matters most.
- At TheFlyerLab, 4X6 postcards start at $50 for 100 pieces on heavyweight 16pt stock — most orders ship in 1–2 business days.
The 4X6 postcard is the workhorse of print marketing. It's the size restaurants use for coupons, real estate agents use for just-listed announcements, and small businesses use to stay in front of their customers month after month. It's not flashy — but it's reliable, affordable, and it works.
If you're considering 4X6 postcards for your next campaign, this guide covers everything: when this size is the right call, when you should go bigger, how to design one that gets a response, and what you'll actually pay to print them.
The BasicsWhy 4X6 Is the Most Popular Postcard Size
The 4X6 postcard has been the dominant standard in direct mail for decades, and for good reason. Two things make it the go-to choice for high-volume campaigns:
- USPS postcard postage rates. At 4X6, your postcard qualifies for the lowest first-class postage rate the USPS offers. That difference in postage adds up fast when you're mailing thousands of pieces — and it doesn't apply to larger sizes like 5X7 or 6X9, which mail at letter rates instead.
- Lowest printing cost per piece. Smaller size means less material, which means lower printing costs. At TheFlyerLab, 4X6 postcards run as low as $0.029 per piece at 5,000 quantity — making them ideal for any campaign where volume and cost efficiency are priorities.
- Fast, simple production. Because 4X6 is a standard size, it moves through production quickly. Most orders at TheFlyerLab ship in 1–2 business days — no extended lead time required.
- Universally recognized format. Recipients know exactly what a postcard is and how to read one. No envelope to open, no folding — your message is visible the moment it lands in their hands.
Use CasesWhen 4X6 Is the Right Choice — and When It Isn't
The 4X6 postcard excels in specific situations. Knowing when to use it — and when to step up to a larger size — is the difference between a campaign that works and one that gets ignored.
- High-volume direct mail campaigns where cost-per-piece and postage savings are priorities.
- Coupons and promotions — the format is familiar and customers know to keep it.
- Appointment reminders — medical, dental, auto service, and similar businesses.
- Event announcements — grand openings, sales events, seasonal promotions.
- Real estate just-listed and just-sold announcements — quick, efficient, affordable at scale.
- Restaurant specials and loyalty promotions — easy to hand out with checks or include in delivery bags.
- Church and community outreach — low cost makes it easy to print large quantities for distribution.
- You need to stand out in the mailbox — a 5X7 or 6X9 commands more visual attention.
- You have a lot of content to convey — complex offers, multiple products, or detailed instructions need more space.
- You're running an EDDM campaign — USPS EDDM requires a piece to be greater than 10.5" long, OR greater than 6.125" high, OR greater than 0.25" thick. A 4X6 doesn't meet any of those. Check out our EDDM-specific sizes.
- You want a premium brand impression — larger cards feel more substantial in the hand and signal higher quality.
Real PricingWhat 4X6 Postcards Actually Cost at TheFlyerLab
No hidden fees, no setup charges. Here's exactly what you'll pay for full-color 4X6 postcards. Orders up to 2,500 print on 16pt heavyweight stock standard. Orders of 5,000 and above are priced on 12pt stock — upgrading to 16pt is an additional $50 per 5,000 pieces:
| Quantity | Total Price | Price Per Piece |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $50.00 | $0.50 |
| 250 | $70.00 | $0.28 |
| 500 | $80.00 | $0.16 |
| 1,000 | $100.00 | $0.10 |
| 2,500 | $125.00 | $0.05 |
| 5,000 | $145.00 | $0.029 |
| 10,000 | $290.00 | $0.029 |
| 25,000 | $725.00 | $0.029 |
All prices include full-color printing on both sides (4/4). Orders of 2,500 and under are on 16pt heavyweight stock. Orders of 5,000+ are priced on 12pt stock — add $50 per 5,000 to upgrade to 16pt. The per-piece cost floors at $0.029 starting at 5,000 pieces.
Design TipsHow to Design a 4X6 Postcard That Actually Gets Results
A 4X6 postcard is small — 24 square inches on the front, 24 on the back. Every element has to earn its place. Here's how to make the most of the space you have:
- Lead with one clear offer or message. The biggest mistake on small postcards is trying to say too much. Pick one thing — a discount, an event, a product — and make it impossible to miss.
- Use a headline that works in 2 seconds. Most recipients decide whether to read or recycle in under 3 seconds. Your headline needs to communicate value instantly — "20% Off Your First Order," "New Location Now Open," "Just Listed at [Address]."
- Design in CMYK, not RGB. Printing uses CMYK color. If you design in RGB, colors shift during conversion and you'll be disappointed with the result. Set your document to CMYK from the start.
- Add bleed. Your final file should be 4.25"×6.25" — that's 1/8" bleed on all four sides. Anything important (text, logos) should stay at least 1/8" inside the trim line. TheFlyerLab provides free templates to make this easy.
- Use the back strategically. Full-color printing on both sides is included at no extra charge. The back is valuable real estate — use it for your offer details, address panel, QR code, or testimonials.
- Include a specific call to action. "Visit our website" is weak. "Scan the QR code to get 20% off your next order — expires March 31" is strong. Tell people exactly what to do and why to do it now.
Size ComparisonHow 4X6 Stacks Up Against Other Postcard Sizes
Not sure if 4X6 is the right size for your campaign? Here's how it compares to the other popular options:
4X6 Postcard Printing FAQs
The questions we hear most from customers ordering 4X6 postcards for the first time.
What is the USPS postage rate for a 4X6 postcard?
As of 2026, USPS First-Class postcard postage is $0.56 per piece for standard-sized postcards (up to 4.25"×6"). Compared to a standard letter at $0.73, the postcard rate saves you $0.17 per piece — which adds up to $170 saved per 1,000 pieces mailed.
What paper stock do 4X6 postcards come on?
At TheFlyerLab, orders of 2,500 pieces and under are printed on 16pt heavyweight cardstock as standard. Orders of 5,000 and above are priced on 12pt stock by default — upgrading to 16pt heavyweight is an additional $50 per 5,000 pieces. If you're mailing your postcards, we recommend upgrading to 16pt; it holds up through the postal system significantly better than lighter stock.
Can I print full color on both sides?
Yes — 4/4 full-color printing (front and back) is included at no extra charge. You can also choose 4/0 if you only want color on the front, but most customers use both sides to maximize their message.
How do I set up my file for 4X6 postcard printing?
Your design file should be 4.25"×6.25" at 300 DPI in CMYK color mode. That extra 0.25" on each dimension is your bleed — it ensures the color runs edge-to-edge after trimming. Keep all important content (text, logos) at least 0.125" inside the trim line. TheFlyerLab offers free downloadable templates to make setup straightforward.
How fast can I get 4X6 postcards printed and shipped?
Most 4X6 postcard orders at TheFlyerLab ship within 1–2 business days via UPS or FedEx. Submit your order and files before 9pm EST and production begins the next business day.
What's the minimum order quantity?
You can order as few as 100 postcards. That makes it easy to test a campaign, a new design, or a new offer before scaling up to larger quantities.
The Bottom Line
The 4X6 postcard has stood the test of time for one simple reason: it works. It's affordable to print, cheap to mail, and effective at delivering a clear message to the right people. For high-volume campaigns where every cent of cost-per-piece matters, nothing beats it.
If you need more visual impact, consider stepping up to a 5X7 or 6X9. Planning an EDDM campaign? You'll need a size that qualifies under the USPS EDDM size rules — check out our EDDM printing options. But for most businesses — restaurants, real estate agents, service companies, churches — the 4X6 postcard is the right tool for the job.
At TheFlyerLab, 4X6 postcards start at $50 for 100 pieces with full-color printing on both sides. Orders up to 2,500 are on 16pt heavyweight stock standard — and for larger quantities, a 16pt upgrade is available. Most orders ship in 1–2 business days, nationwide.
Ready to order your 4X6 postcards?
Full-color printing on both sides, 16pt heavyweight stock available at any quantity, fast turnaround — ships nationwide in 1–2 business days.
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