Postcards are rectangular pieces of thick paper used for sending messages, usually without an envelope. They come with a photograph or some kind of illustration on one side.
Sending postcards to family and friends expresses your feelings. It is a sweet gesture that shows you are thinking about them.
Social media has made it easier to share happenings and adventures, nevertheless, you can still embrace the postcard’s wonderful and charming way of sharing and preserving memories, or snapshots of a time well spent at an exciting place.
Now, mailing a postcard is not as complicated as you think. Its process is similar to mailing a letter but much easier. When mailing a postcard, after penning down your message, you need to properly address the card, and put in the right number of stamps, before mailing it.
How to Address a Postcard
A Postcard offers its recipient a special glimpse into its sender’s destination or trip. To ensure that this special message is delivered without any mishaps, you should properly address it.
Follow these easy steps to learn how to address a postcard.
Step 1: Knowing your postcard
The postcard has two sides. The front has a photo, the back is empty; this is where your message, address and other relevant information is written on. Now, turn the postcard photo side down to get started.
Step 2: Writing the recipient’s address
The back side is split into two sections. There, most times, is a vertical line on the postcard to mark the left and right-hand sides. And if not, you can draw or imagine a line on the postcard.
The address is to be written on the right-hand side of the postcard, midway down the card. A lot of cards come with pre-printed lines for your address to be written on. Not all postcards come this way so you might have to draw a box around the address or create a horizontal line midway down the card to insert your address.
Step 3: Addressing the recipient
You are to address the receiver of your postcard on the left-hand side of the card. Given that most postcards are sent to friends and families, the recipient can be addressed informally. For example, “My Dear Grandpa.” But, if it is a formal relationship you share with the recipient, address it as, “Dear Mrs Roberts.”
Step 4: Writing dates
Dates are to be written at the top right-hand corner of the message part (left side of the postcard).
Step 5: Writing your message
The message is written on the left-hand side of the postcard (which should still be blank). Your handwritten message includes learnings about places you’ve visited, fun facts, special encounters, the food you’ve tasted, cultures you’ve encountered, languages, and so on. At the end of the message, sign your postcard with a closing bid such as, “Loads of love from Paris (destination).”
Step 6: Stamps
You must include stamps before mailing your postcard. The stamp is to go on the top corner of the postcard near the recipient’s address.
How to Mail a Postcard
The process of mailing a Postcard to your friend, relative or associate is as follows:
Step 1: Purchase a postcard
You can buy a postcard at supermarkets, book stores, departmental stores, gift shops, post offices, and the like. Ensure that the postcard you purchased describes your scenery and shows your recipient’s tastes in your experience.
Step 2: Stamps
Stamps are important when mailing postcards. Without one, your postcard won’t be mailed. Stamps are proof of payment for postcards.
The number of stamps needed for mailing depends on where the card is being mailed to. For longer distances, you may need up to four stamps.
International stamps are more expensive than domestic ones. Several postal services offer one flat rate for international mailing, but most have ranging prices that depend on distances between the two countries.
You can purchase a stamp at a post office.
Step 3: Apply the stamp
On many postcards, there is a symbol directing you where to put the stamp. The stamp is to be stuck to the postcard at the upper right-hand corner, above the address.
Some stamps need to be moistened (or you can use glue), and others are self-adhesive. If yours is self-adhesive, pull it from its backing unto the postcard in the correct position. If it isn’t, moisten the back, you can lick it or dip your fingers in water. Moisten it and do not allow it to soak.
Doing this activates the adhesive behind the stamp.
If it is soaked, it won’t stick to the postcard.
Step 4: Address the card
Addressing the postcard is quite simple. Postcards most times have mapped out spaces for an address and for your message. You don’t need to add your address as long as you put down the receiver’s address.
The left-hand side of the postcard is for your message and the right-hand side is for the address and stamps.
Step 5: Write your message
Your message should be short and brief, just enough to let them in on your experience. You don’t need to write an essay. The point of sending a postcard is to let the receiver know that you are thinking of them.
Apply the stamp first so you don’t end up writing up to where the stamp covers.
You should also take note of how low you write. Do not write too low on the postcard. Sometimes, the post office attaches stickers across the bottom to send it where it needs to go.
Let there be at least 3 cm between the bottom of your message and the edge of the postcard.
Step 6: Mail the postcard
Drop your postcard off at the closest post office or a public mailbox in your location. Some government offices may have mailboxes that you can use. If you are in a hotel, you can mail your card at their front desk.
Before you drop off the card, ensure that you’ve written down the correct address and added the appropriate number of stamps for your postcard. After confirming these, mail the card as you would a normal letter.
