Question
What file specifications should I use for postcard designs?
Answer
Postcard files need a 0.125 inch (one-eighth inch) bleed on every edge, plus a matching safety margin to protect your content. This keeps color reaching the edge and important elements clear of the cut.
| Guide | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Bleed (outside trim) | 0.125" all around |
| Safety margin (inside trim) | 0.125" from edge |
- Extend backgrounds and color into the full 0.125" bleed.
- Keep text and logos at least 0.125" inside the trim line.
- Set your document to the final size plus bleed before exporting.
- Build photographic images at 300 ppi at the finished postcard dimensions, sized to the actual print size rather than scaled up from a small file.
- Check the recommended color space setup so photos reproduce accurately, since screen and print color spaces differ.
- Save in a high-quality format that preserves detail, such as a print-ready PDF or a high-resolution TIFF or JPEG.
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