How to design and sell custom postcards online without capital? A step-by-step beginner's guide to making money

If you’re wondering how to make postcards and earn extra income, starting a print-on-demand (POD) business is an easy idea for beginners.

Print-on-demand services like Printify, Printful, and MyDesigner handle the production and distribution of postcards, making it easier than ever to design and sell postcards online.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make postcards to sell in five simple steps.

Why start a postcard business?

Postcards are the perfect product to sell, combining creativity and profitability in a low-risk venture.

High Demand

Birthdays, weddings, corporate greetings, holidays – wherever there’s an occasion, there’s a postcard to celebrate it! There’s always a demand for their use for personal and professional purposes.

Low Production Costs

With print-on-demand services, you don’t need to invest in inventory or equipment. The low cost of printing also allows for higher profit margins.

Customizability

Create postcards for any niche market, from local landmarks to personalized messages or unique designs, attracting diverse audiences.

Global Reach

E-commerce platforms allow you to sell postcards worldwide, increasing access to a larger audience and boosting profitability.

Diverse Forms

Sell postcards individually, in themed packs, or as limited-edition series to attract collectors and art lovers, offering flexibility in pricing and product offerings.

Scalable Business Model

The POD model allows for risk-free scaling by only printing what you sell. Start small or print on demand and expand as demand grows.

Why do people buy postcards?

Postcards are not just a means of communication.

Art

Many people buy postcards for their unique designs or illustrations, using them as affordable small art pieces to decorate their homes or scrapbooks.

Collectibles

Collectors usually love limited-edition postcards and distinctive themes.

Memories

Travelers and tourists buy postcards as souvenirs.

Gift Enhancement

Postcards add a personal and creative touch to gifts.

Setting your postcard business up for success

There are several factors to consider when starting your own postcard business before you begin selling.

Define your niche

A niche is a group of people with shared interests who are likely to connect with specific postcard themes. Your chosen niche will guide your card designs and how you market and promote them to attract your audience. Use Google Trends to identify popular themes and refine your ideas to create postcards that resonate with your target market.

Design unique postcards

Use custom visuals, such as original artwork or photography, that align with your chosen niche and audience. Apply design principles like the rule of thirds or leading lines to create balanced layouts, and stick to standard postcard sizes (e.g., 4" x 6" or 5" x 7"). Use clean, readable fonts and other design elements like textures or subtle backgrounds to complete the overall look. Design software like Adobe makes creating professional postcard designs easy, with Adobe Express offering thousands of customizable templates for various projects.

Choose the right format and materials

Decide whether your design works better as a single postcard or as a folded card like a greeting card. Folded cards offer additional space for messages and designs, while single postcards are ideal for concise and impactful visuals. Choose materials like glossy or matte finishes that complement your design and appeal to your target audience.

How to start a postcard business in 5 steps

Maximize profits with your own custom postcard designs using POD.

1. Sign Up

   Sign up for a Printify account or any other platform.

2. Choose Products

   Browse a catalog of over 1000 items, including fine art postcards.

3. Apply Your Visuals

   Customize a blank postcard by uploading your own images or postcard templates to our product generator. Adjust the positioning and preview a mock-up of the final print before publishing.

4. Start Selling

   Sell custom postcards on e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or Amazon. Integrate your e-commerce store with Printify to automatically publish postcards to the store.

5. Let the service provider do the rest

   Print providers will handle printing, packaging, and shipping postcards directly to customers after they purchase from your store. This frees up your time to focus on marketing, designing, and expanding your postcard business.

How to market postcards

Effectively marketing postcards involves capturing attention and connecting with the right audience. Use creative strategies to make your cards memorable and drive sales.

1. Utilize Trending Themes

   Offer seasonal postcards that appeal to customers looking for gifts for special occasions.

2. Design Limited or Custom Cards

   Create a sense of urgency with limited editions or custom designs that attract collectors.

3. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

   Use keyword-rich product titles, tags, and descriptions in your listings to attract traffic. Try Semrush to find high-impact keywords for your postcards.

4. Leverage Social Media

   Promote your postcards on platforms like Instagram or TikTok to reach potential buyers. Use targeted hashtags to increase discoverability.

5. Collaborate with Influencers in Related Fields

   Partner with influencers in travel, art, or stationery to introduce your postcards to an established audience.

Inspiring examples of successful postcard businesses

Looking for inspiration on how to create a postcard line that sells? Many successful creators focus on specific themes and seasonal occasions to connect with buyers.

• Holiday-themed postcards, such as funny Christmas cards, attract people who love humor and warmth in holiday celebrations.
• Personalized postcards for special events, like Mother's Day cards with sentimental messages, highlight the emotional value of postcards that drives customers to buy year after year.
• Many artistic postcards feature whimsical designs, clever illustrations, or funny phrases, making them popular choices for buyers looking for unique and visually appealing options.

Conclusion

Starting your own postcard brand combines creativity with exciting profit potential. With POD platforms, it becomes affordable and easy to execute.

Here’s a quick summary of the key points on how to make your own postcards:

• Sign up for a free POD account.
• Browse custom postcards in our catalog.
• Upload your unique, custom, or seasonal designs.
• Connect to an e-commerce store and start selling postcards immediately.

With consistent design quality and smart marketing, you can grow your custom postcard business and connect with customers who appreciate creativity and personal expression.

Start your postcard business today!

FAQs

• Printify is one of the best options for learning how to create a postcard with no upfront investment. With the POD model, you only pay when a postcard is sold. To edit your images and postcard designs, use the free Adobe Express plan.
• Most postcards typically sell for $2 to $8 each, depending on the quality of the card's design, printing materials, and whether it’s part of a limited-edition or specific-themed collection.
• Yes, you can make money selling postcards, especially those with unique designs or in a specific niche. Success depends on the postcard design, marketing methods, and platform choice. Use POD platforms to sell custom postcards immediately – print-on-demand means no need to maintain a stock of cards.