Custom Postcards
Not too long ago it finally became possible to purchase postcards online. However, until recently, it wasn't so easy to create a truly custom postcard design. Things have finally changed, largely due to advancements in internet technology (such as Macromedia Flash).
Early adopters of e-commerce printing technology did not have the range of controls for creating custom postcards online. Generally, users were stuck with the template that they were shown and could only modify the text. This is not exactly what most business owners desired. It is well known that truly custom designs have a better return on investment. The design should uniquely represent your business and portray the message that you are trying to convey.
The advent of Flash technology has ushered in a new wave of rich internet applications. Online printers have harnessed this technology to allow customers to create custom postcards from the comfort of their home or office. The idea is to start with a template that you like and then move things around with the mouse, change colors, fonts, size, positions, etc.
Of course, advanced users can easily create custom postcards in Illustrator, Photoshop, or other imaging software and upload the finished artwork to be printed. Generally PDF or EPS files are the standard for transferring files to be printed. These file formats support vector outlines which can send clean mathematical instructions (independent of image resolution). They can also specify exactly what mixture of CMYK colors to print with.
Then there is the hybrid approach, and our personal favorite. Start with a template that you like and then upload images (or layers) to create uniqueness. This means you can benefit from the vast database of templates and start with something that catches you attention. Upload your logo (with transparent edges) or your photograph, etc. With this approach you can quickly create custom postcards that look amazing with little effort and/or creative talent. Postcards.com has a great selection of artworks to start with and can accept PDF or EPS uploads to go on top.
About the author
Brian Zimmerman is the is the Chief Editor for Postcards.com. Postcards.com is committed to providing businesses and individuals with the best tips, secrets, and advice for postcard marketing and purchasing.
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