Quick answer: The most common postcard sizes are 4x6, 5x7, and 6x9. Choose 4x6 for standard postcards and low-cost mailers, 5x7 for art postcards and framed mini prints, and 6x9 or 6x11 for oversized direct mail that needs to stand out. Mini art cards like 3x5 and 3.5x5 work best as giveaways, inserts, and collectibles.
Why postcard size matters
Postcard size affects mailing cost, visual impact, how much artwork or copy fits on the card, and whether the finished piece feels more like a marketing handout or a mini print. USPS rules matter too: cards mailed at postcard rate must stay within a minimum of 3.5" x 5" and a maximum of 4.25" x 6", while larger postcards can still mail efficiently but usually move into letter or larger mail categories depending on size and thickness.
Standard postcard sizes at a glance
3x3 Square Cards
Best for: Package inserts, impulse buys
The mini-square stands out next to standard rectangular cards, making 3x3 a distinctive pick for chibi art, character close-ups, and collectibles.
3x4, 3x5, 3.5x5
Best for: Mini art cards, inserts, convention freebies
Tiny formats are easy to hand out, inexpensive to print, and useful as pocket-sized promo pieces or collectible mini prints.
4x6
Best for: Standard postcards, low-cost direct mail, everyday art cards
4x6 is the most common postcard size and usually the most economical format to print and mail.
4.25x5.5
Best for: Upgraded promo cards, compact art cards
This size adds a little more room for artwork and messaging while still feeling compact and familiar.
5x5 Square Cards
Best for: Instagram-style cards, gift enclosures, premium inserts
Ideal for artists whose work is shot or designed square, and for buyers who want a display-friendly card that doesn't look like a standard postcard.
5x7
Best for: Art postcards, framed mini prints, premium handouts
5x7 gives artwork more breathing room and feels much more display-worthy than a basic marketing postcard.
5.5x8.5
Best for: Event promos, larger postcards, flyer-style handouts
This format bridges the gap between a postcard and a flyer, making it useful when you need more space for details.
6x8, 6x9
Best for: Oversized art cards, standout direct mail, display-friendly cards
These larger sizes stand out in the mail and give artists and brands much more space for visuals.
6x11
Best for: Jumbo mailers, campaign cards, maximum-impact promos
6x11 is built for visibility and reach when standing out matters more than getting the lowest postage rate.
Mini art cards: 3x4, 3x5, and 3.5x5
Mini postcard sizes like 3x4, 3x5, and 3.5x5 work best for low-cost promotion, convention table freebies, thank-you inserts, and collectible small-format art cards. These sizes are less about long-form messaging and more about portability, impulse pickup, and giving someone an easy way to remember your art or brand.
Standard 4x6 postcard size
The 4x6 postcard is the default choice for most postcard projects because it is hand-sized, widely recognized, and usually the most affordable option for both printing and mailing. It is the right starting point for art fair handouts, package inserts, general promotions, and any campaign where cost efficiency matters more than premium presentation. When people ask what the standard postcard size is, 4x6 is almost always the answer.
5x7 art postcards and small prints
A 5x7 postcard works well when the piece needs to feel more like a small print than a basic marketing postcard. The extra room helps illustrations, photography, and bold typography breathe, which makes 5x7 a strong choice for art postcards, boutique product inserts, and cards customers may keep, frame, or display. In a 4x6 vs 5x7 postcard comparison, 4x6 wins on cost and 5x7 wins on presence.
Oversized postcards: 6x8, 6x9, and 6x11
Oversized postcard sizes are useful when visibility is the top priority, especially for direct mail, event promotion, specialty art cards, and campaigns that need more room for imagery or offers. These sizes are ideal when you want the card to feel substantial and command attention the moment it hits someone's hands or mailbox. They typically mail at a higher rate than standard postcards, but the visual impact usually earns back the difference in response.
Best size for framed art postcards
If the goal is to create an art postcard that someone may actually display, 5x7 is the clearest starting point because it is easy to frame, visually balanced, and large enough to feel like a giftable print. If you want a slightly larger display piece, 6x8 can also work especially well, since it still fits common frame sizes while giving artwork more presence on a wall or shelf.
Best postcard size by use case
- Choose 3x4 to 3.5x5 for mini art cards, merch table freebies, thank-you inserts, and low-cost awareness pieces.
- Choose 4x6 for classic postcards, affordable mailers, and general-purpose artist promos.
- Choose 5x7 for art postcards, premium handouts, and cards intended to be displayed or framed.
- Choose 5.5x8.5 for event promos, postcards with more copy, and hybrid flyer-card use cases.
- Choose 6x8 or 6x9 for standout direct mail, bolder visuals, and larger-format art cards.
- Choose 6x11 for maximum-impact marketing pieces where visibility matters more than lowest postage cost.
Paper and cardstock matter too
Size is only one part of the decision. The paper or cardstock should match the role of the card. Standard gloss and matte work well for mainstream postcard printing, while textured cardstock is especially compelling for artists who want art cards to feel more tactile and premium. If the card is meant to act as a mini print, pairing a display-friendly size like 5x7 or 6x8 with textured stock can create a much stronger "keep this" impression than a basic promo postcard.
How much to charge for art postcards
Once you've chosen a size, the next question most artists ask is what to actually charge. Pricing varies by size, paper quality, and where you're selling, but a few patterns hold up across art fairs, conventions, and online shops. 4x6 art postcards typically sell for $2 to $4. 5x7 postcards, which feel more like small art prints, usually sell for $3 to $5 — more when they're printed on thicker or specialty stock. 6x9 and other oversized art postcards command $4 to $6 or more, especially for limited editions or featured artwork. Bundles like "3 for $10" consistently outperform single-card pricing at events and online.
For a full pricing breakdown with real print-cost math, margin examples, and advice by artist type, read our guide on pricing art postcards.
Postcard Size FAQ
What is the standard postcard size?
The standard postcard size is 4x6 inches. It is the most common size for direct mail and general-purpose postcards because it is widely recognized, fits USPS postcard rate requirements, and is usually the most affordable to print and mail.
What postcard sizes qualify for USPS postcard rate?
To mail at USPS postcard rate, a card must be rectangular, at least 3.5" x 5", no larger than 4.25" x 6", and between 0.007" and 0.016" thick. Anything larger mails as a letter or flat at a higher postage rate.
Is 4x6 or 5x7 better for art postcards?
5x7 is usually better for art postcards because the extra space lets the artwork breathe and makes the card feel more like a small print than a marketing piece. 4x6 is still a strong choice when cost and USPS postcard rate matter more than display quality.
What is the largest postcard size you can mail?
Most oversized postcards top out around 6x11 inches for practical mailing purposes. Cards larger than 6x11 are technically mailable but typically move into larger flat or parcel rates, which change the cost calculation significantly.
What is the best postcard size for a framed print?
5x7 is the best all-around size for a postcard meant to be framed, because 5x7 frames are widely available, affordable, and fit standard shelves and gallery walls. 6x8 is a strong alternative when you want a slightly larger display piece.
What size are mini art cards?
Mini art cards are usually printed at 3x4, 3x5, or 3.5x5 inches. These sizes are popular for convention giveaways, artist trading cards, thank-you inserts, and pocket-sized collectibles.
