3 Positions To Put A Barcode On Postcard: A Detailed Guide

Do I need a barcode on postcard? How to do it? Where should a stamp be placed on a barcoded postcard?

You are probably having the same questions. 

Read the information below and you will have the answer to what you need.

A guide on barcode on postcard

Do I Need A Barcode On Postcard?

The answer is YES. 

That is also the reason why you need to leave space for the barcode.

The Post Office prints a barcode on each component 5/8ths of an inch from the bottom during sending. 

It is better to leave this space blank; if they are unable to print directly on it, they will instead apply a sticker with a readable barcode to the bottom.

A barcode on postcard

How To Do A Barcode On Postcard?

There are three methods for creating postcard barcode. 

All three selections will likely be used if you search in a store that accepts a variety of cards; you may then determine which ones are most popular. 

You can choose between the following options when ordering barcodes for your postcards:

• Each card can have a distinct UPC or EAN (12 or 13-digit) barcode. Barcodes price of this type is the most expensive.

• You can use the same UPC or EAN barcode on a variety of cards, but they must all be priced the same, and retailers must manually reorder the cards. It costs the least to choose this.

• All of your cards can have a UPC or EAN barcode on them, along with a 2 digit supplement. 

Because each EAN or UPC code is different, they must be acquired. 

You can use the two digit supplement on 100 different cards because it goes from 00 to 99. (usually in a common series). 

Pricing information is provided by the EAN or UPC code. 

Some software programs can track individual card sales using the 2 digit supplement, making it possible to track stock. 

The alternative with a medium cost is this.

It would be advisable for you to visit a few shops and learn about the procedures in use at the establishments you want to send your cards to. 

Another alternative is to speak with a helpful retailer to find out which solutions they favor and how the various options work for them.

Please get in touch with Barcodes Limited for pricing once you've decided the method you wish to use for your cards.

How to do a barcode on postcard?

Where Does A Stamp Go On A Postcard?

If the barcode is not present in the address block, it will be positioned at the bottom right corner of the postcard. 

To accommodate it, leave a gap in the lower right corner that measures 3/4" x 4-7/8". 

Keep significant design components outside of this area because the barcode might cover them.

Where do stamps go on postcards?

Where To Put A Stamp On A Postcard With Barcode?

You can ask the post office any questions you may have concerning postage rates or other mailing-related matters.

There are certain stamping requirements for where to put stamp on postcard. 

On the same side as the address, you must stamp the postcard in the upper right corner. 

This facilitates the orientation of the mail for sorting machines and the OCR meaning reading of the address. 

A tidy stamp will also shorten the processing time. 

Postcards are handled similarly to First Class mail but with Priority Mail processing time.

Address area

Knowing where the space for barcode on postcard is is necessary when sending it. 

The return address should be in the bottom right corner, and the stamp should be in the top right corner, above the barcode. 

On certain postcards, the stamping location is indicated by a rectangle. 

The likelihood that the postcard will be delivered on time will increase if this space is used properly.

The barcode should be printed approximately 5/8 of an inch from the bottom of the postcard. 

If you don't want the barcode to extend across the full postcard, you can cover it with a sticker. 

If you should also keep in mind to leave space for the right side of the postcard and the message box, that would be helpful. 

You should be sure to include the postage and any Postal Service markings as well.

A postcard address location

Additionally, you should adhere to USPS recommendations regarding stamp placement on postcard with a barcode. 

The mailpiece's bottom border should be around 4 inches away from the barcode. 

It must not, however, extend past the address block line. 

The "safe area" is where you are. Postcards that are too near will have their edges cut off. 

Additionally, make sure the barcode on the postcard has enough room so that it can be scanned by the postal machines. 

The postal staff will be able to read your postcard and address as a result.

Post office post card size ranges from 3.5 x 5 to 8.5 x 11 inches. 

At least 1.5 inches high, the address space must rise up to 1/8 of an inch above the card's bottom edge.

At a lower spot, about five-eighths of an inch from the bottom, you could also want to include your return address.

A postcard barcode may not always be accurate.

Typically, the date written on the barcode corresponds to the one chosen by the sender when the postcard was printed. 

When using a PC postage product or mailroom meter, the USPS requires correct date imprinting because this date is not always accurate. 

If you stamp the postcard with an appropriate date, it will be easier for the post office to mail it properly.

The rightmost corner of the postcard, above the address, should bear the stamp. The postcard can then be deposited in a mailbox, USPS mail dropbox, or at the counter of a post office.

Postcards are processed similarly to First Class mail, albeit more swiftly.

Read also: Full Understanding Of QR Codes Coupons 

Barcode area

A postcard barcode area is a crucial component of its design. Without a barcode area, postcards will cost more to mail and frequently take longer to arrive.

It's crucial to keep in mind that the space must be at least 4.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches height without any other print.

On a postcard, there are specific regions that must be white. 

The address area, the barcode area, and the postage area are some of these areas. This space is normally on the back of the postcard and measures 1.625" by 1.375". 

The trim line of the postcard must be within 0.25′′ of the address area, the bar code area, and the bleed area.

Barcode area

It's crucial to have the barcode region where it can be read easily, regardless of how you design it. 

It should be positioned about 5/8 of an inch from the bottom of the postcard, according to the Post Office. 

If necessary, you can also add a sticker over the barcode area.

If mailing the card, the carrier release endorsement must appear above the return address box. 

In contrast, the carrier release endorsement needs to be placed right beneath the return address. 

It must have at least one blank line of type size between it and the address block. 

The read direction for this location must be the same as for the delivery address.

The Facing Identification Mark is a different kind of barcode that appears on postcards. It is a label that the Postal Service created.

Near the top edge of the postcard, this barcode is typically composed of many vertical bars. 

On an envelope, it is likewise located close to the postage area. 

On pieces using computerized canceling technology and the BRM mailpiece standard, the Facing Identification Mark is necessary.

Some type of barcodes like UPC, EAN codes or Micr string (Check them out on Amazon barcode search) may appear on postcards with barcodes. 

A two-digit supplement with this sort of barcode ranges from 00 to 99. 

This kind of barcode can be used to track inventory by some software systems. A somewhat inexpensive choice is a postcard with a UPC barcode.

Return address area

It's important to keep in mind the return address area's size when printing postcards with barcodes. 

It should be roughly four tenths of an inch wide and three-eighths of an inch tall. 

The addressing space should be about three-fourths of an inch height if the address is smaller.

Additionally, keep in mind that the barcode region needs to be large enough to fit the barcode. 

This area can be up to three and a half inches wide, depending on the printer and software being utilized. 

The barcode must be sprayed onto the envelope if it needs an extra-wide area.

Return address area

Barcodes for Intelligent Mail should not be placed such that they cover the address label. 

To do this, make sure the address label's edge is at least 0.028 inches away from the barcode. 

The barcode will be close to the right-side corner of the postcard if it covers the address block.

The unit designator should also be included immediately beneath the return address. 

Mailers who wish to make sure that their postcards are delivered properly must pay close attention to this section. 

A costly error would be for a postcard to be returned to the sender after being delivered wrongly.

Barcode on return address area

Make sure there are no UV or aqueous coatings in the address area when printing postcards. 

Laser addressing won't be possible otherwise. 

Additionally, make sure there are no background images in the barcode region.

A postcard's return address area must also be placed above the main panel. Standard mail does not require it, but First Class Mail does. 

When designing postcards, you must also abide by USPS specifications, such as dimensional and format standards. 

Along with the address and postage, you need to include a left and right message area